Cruz waived, Jackson up from AAA

[Kolo]

Cruz designated for assignment, Jackson up from AAA

per 910

 

[Mulli]

Can they fix the catcher position now, please? I can't take much more of Snyder's lack of hitting.

 

[AZZenny]

Designated outfielder Jose Cruz for assignment; purchased the contract of outfielder Conor Jackson from Tucson of the Pacific Coast League (AAA).

From ESPN's Transaction page. This seems an odd set of moves - what are they going to do about CF? Maybe just the first of a few.

Snyder isn't going anywhere, may as well relax. His hitting isn't the main thing that's keeping the team from scoring.

Anyhow -

CONGRATULATIONS CONOR JACKSON! WELCOME TO THE BIG LEAGUES! Don't try to hit for power, that isn't what you do - just keep walking and making contact!

 

[IndyDevil]

It's official:

Hello Conor - bye-bye Cruz!!

 

[Mulli]

 

[IndyDevil]

This seems an odd set of moves - what are they going to do about CF? Maybe just the first of a few.

Me thinks Joe Jr & the FO boys are just warming up...

 

[Kolo]

what are they going to do about CF?

Green in center, Tracy in right, Jackson at 1b? That could get ugly.

 

[AZZenny]

Arizona manager Bob Melvin said Jackson will share time at first base with Tony Clark. Chad Tracy will move from first base to right field, and Shawn Green will shift from right field to center field.


Yep - we're going for offense, not defense, that's for sure. I'd DL Glaus, move Tracy to third, put Carlos Quentin in RF, trade Terrero since they won't play him, and/or release McCracken, and bring up Andy Green. Why take half-measures at this point in the season? If you're doing a major remodel, may as well be bold.

 

[ajcardfan]

Green in center, Tracy in right, Jackson at 1b? That could get ugly.

Well, it's been ugly watching this team try to score runs. We sure as heck aren't going to win with pitching and defense, so I'm glad they are going with the "get a hitter" route. I'm excited to see how he does, and this team needs some excitement to get going.

 

[green machine]

[/SIZE] Don't try to hit for power, that isn't what you do - just keep walking and making contact! [/COLOR]

You may not be very pleased with Conor's comments in this article then about hitting for power.

http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com...t_id=1147224&vkey=news_ari&fext=.jsp&c_id=ari

 

[AZZenny]

I can't get anything to come up.

Very recently when he was interviewed before the PCL All-Star game he said he has finally realized that he can't TRY to hit for power - when he struggles it's always because he's pushing for power or big hits. Said that last year he really got sidetracked that way, but now the coaches tell him just stay disciplined and get real confident with the contact hits and in a couple years the power will come.

My observation for the past year and a half is that he'll fall into little mini-slumps of 4-5 games a few times a season and you can see he's swinging for the fences - then he settles back down and goes on about his amazing job of walking and hitting singles and doubles. 38 doubles this year, led the Pioneer League all-time for doubles two years ago - he'll be fine.

 

[Yuma]

I don't give a KR@P if he hits for power if he hits over .300 in the bigs! Gracie had a great career, Tony Gwynn, Rod Carew, etc. We need hits, period. I know a lot of managers rather have a crew of guys that hit doubles for average, than a bunch of home run hitters. I've been waiting for them to bring up some of these guys all season! HORRAAAYYYY!

 

[Lefty]

Can they fix the catcher position now, please? I can't take much more of Snyder's lack of hitting.

I hope they give Hill a chance. Snyder has not done much. He once again could not get a runner in with less than two outs.

Glad to see Conor called up. Hopefully Carlos will be next.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

As much as I like seeing Conor getting a shot, is anyone else very concerned about the defense? Playing CF is much different than playing RF or LF and Green has only played there sparingly in his career. Meanwhile Tracy is going to have to face runners going from first to third which he has yet to do.

I know the FO is trying to jumpstart the offense, but I don't think another OBP guy is the answer. That is unless we plan on putting Conor in a position to drive in runs the second he steps to the plate which could be disastrous. I'll be anticipating where BoMel puts Conor in the lineup but I guess having another guy that gets on-base can't hurt, right?

 

[AZZenny]

I agree with all your concerns, Mao - I guess its not like Cruz provided much defense lately, of course. The idea of Tracy's arm in RF is worrisome (of potentially hurting it, too)- Geez - Gonzo, Green and Tracy - has to be one of the weakest defensive OF in the Majors. They'll be tested by every runner, that's for sure.

If they try to encourage Conor to go after big hits, it'll backfire, although I'm sure that'll be in his own head too. However, if they put him leadoff or second, or low in the lineup initially, and just tell him keep being an OBP machine, it has to help the offense some. We'll see if Melvin has a realistic read on Conor's abilities or not. And I suspect the FO will be watching how he handles this rookie - of all the prospects, Conor is probably the most ready, resilient and mature, so he'll be a very good test case.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

my question is why dont they just put Jackson in RF???? It is my understanding that they moved him to 1b just this year after years of him playing in the of. If they were not going to move Green this would make sense, but just slip Jackson into RF and he wont even be concerned about hitting for power as the azdiamondbacks.com article implies. Either way im excited we got this young stud up and i hope hes ready to start raking.....