D-Backs begin free agent hunt

[azdad1978]

By Ed Price, Tribune

With the World Series over, baseball’s free agency season began Thursday, and the Diamondbacks expressed their interest in center fielder Steve Finley and shortstops Rich Aurilia and Royce Clayton, among others.

Also, the timetable for the D-Backs’ managerial search quickened, as the second interview of Manny Acta was moved up to Saturday.

General manager Joe Garagiola Jr. said Thursday he spoke to representatives of about 15 free agents but declined to name any.

However, the agents for Finley, Aurilia and Clayton confirmed conversations with Arizona.

Other free agents who could be of interest to the D-Backs include outfielder Jeromy Burnitz and right-handers Matt Clement and Adam Bernero.

Among those eligible for free agency but yet to file, ex-Diamondbacks Craig Counsell and David Dellucci, righthander Russ Ortiz and lefthanders Rheal Cormier and Shawn Estes also seem to fit Arizona’s needs.

Finley played 5 1 /2 seasons for the Diamondbacks and left the door open for a return when he was traded July 31 to Los Angeles. Agent Tommy Tanzer said Finley’s recent sale of a house in the Valley (he makes his full-time home near San Diego) does not mean he no longer has interest in playing for Arizona.

"I think he still has some pretty good friends there," Tanzer said.

Tanzer also spoke with the D-Backs about left-hander Glendon Rusch.

Agent Rick Licht confirmed Arizona’s interest in Clayton.

"A number of teams called, and the Diamondbacks were among them," Licht said.

A Scottsdale resident who turns 35 in January, Clayton would provide Arizona with a reliable glove at shortstop. Presumably, Alex Cintron would then compete for the second-base job with Scott Hairston and Matt Kata.

Clayton hit .279 and scored 95 runs this year for the Colorado Rockies. A 1997 All-Star for St. Louis, he has played for six teams in 14 seasons, with a .257 career average and three trips to the playoffs.

The competition for Clayton’s services could be fierce. Other teams who could be seeking a shortstop include Boston, Seattle, Anaheim, Minnesota, Cleveland, San Francisco, Milwaukee and the Chicago Cubs.

Aurilia spent 2004 with Seattle (playing for manager Bob Melvin, a finalist for the Arizona position) and San Diego. A Diamondbacks-killer during his time with San Francisco, Aurilia this year hit a combined .246 with six homers and 44 RBIs in 124 games.

Barry Axelrod, who represents Aurilia, said he also discussed Clement with the D-Backs.

Teams cannot discuss salary with free agents from other clubs until Nov. 11.

Arizona may get a response today from potential free agent Richie Sexson on the three-year contract offer made Tuesday. Sexson, a slugging first baseman, was limited to 23 games by a shoulder injury after being acquired from Milwaukee.

MANAGER SEARCH

Acta had been scheduled to interview Monday, but with the World Series ending in a sweep and free agency starting earlier than anticipated, Acta’s meeting with ownership was moved up.

Arizona reinterviewed the two other managerial finalists, Bob Melvin and Wally Backman, on Wednesday.

The New York Mets announced Thursday that Backman withdrew from their managerial search — he had been scheduled for an interview Thursday — to concentrate on the D-Backs’ job. That led to speculation that Backman felt he had an edge, or even a lock, on Arizona’s position, but Diamondbacks officials said no such message had been conveyed to him.

Backman and his representatives did not return calls Thursday.

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=30659

 

[Brandon_Webb]

That would be great to have Matt Clement, Him and Webby would be a damn good duo. I don't see why we would go after Clayton. I don't want anyone competing with Hairston unless he makes the move to the RF, He's been our best prospect for a while, and I would rather have him start then Cintron.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

This crap makes me sick. These players are all mediocre at best, and at the downside of their careers. I would much rather see the young players struggle, at least they have a chance to get better. To sign any of these douchebags to multiyear deals will be an absolute disaster. God, Joe Jr. is an idiot. GIVE IT UP!!! Trade Randy for a good young group of prospects, and start over. Focus on Conor Jackson, Tererro, and Quentin in the OF, sign Drew and work with some existing infielders and get some quality young pitching with Randy. Let the young players develop, then suppliment them with a few quality veterans. We are turning into the new Brewers.....

 

[BOB_Man24]

I agree, the last thing we need is a guy like Rich Aurila. Matt Clement has always had potential, but he is a #4 guy at best. What about trying to get a good SS like Cabrera? I mean sure Boston will most likely resign him, but i would rather pay the money for him than for any mediocre SS, as we already have one in Cintron.

This offseason could make me sick...

 

[AZZenny]

Sure made me sit down hard and take a deep gulp to keep from barfing. NOT A FRIGGING THING HAS BEEN LEARNED!!

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

This crap makes me sick. These players are all mediocre at best, and at the downside of their careers. I would much rather see the young players struggle, at least they have a chance to get better. To sign any of these douchebags to multiyear deals will be an absolute disaster. God, Joe Jr. is an idiot. GIVE IT UP!!! Trade Randy for a good young group of prospects, and start over. Focus on Conor Jackson, Tererro, and Quentin in the OF, sign Drew and work with some existing infielders and get some quality young pitching with Randy. Let the young players develop, then suppliment them with a few quality veterans. We are turning into the new Brewers.....

You know, the two arent mutually exclusive. Focus on Jackson, Quinten, and Drew you say? Yeah, last time I checked they were in the minors still. They arent going to be up for at least another year, maybe two or three. We still need somebody playing in the big leagues, so for example letting Bautista walk then signing Burnitz to a two year deal isnt going to affect our prospect core. It was painfully obvious this last year that some of our prospects werent ready and should spend next year in the minors and that a vet signing or two is needed (not that these guys would be my ideal candidates). I do believe that we should develop our young guys like Hairston, but that doesnt mean we should be playing guys like Kroeger in RF every night just because they are young if they arent ready.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

You know, the two arent mutually exclusive. Focus on Jackson, Quinten, and Drew you say? Yeah, last time I checked they were in the minors still. They arent going to be up for at least another year, maybe two or three. We still need somebody playing in the big leagues, so for example letting Bautista walk then signing Burnitz to a two year deal isnt going to affect our prospect core. It was painfully obvious this last year that some of our prospects werent ready and should spend next year in the minors and that a vet signing or two is needed (not that these guys would be my ideal candidates). I do believe that we should develop our young guys like Hairston, but that doesnt mean we should be playing guys like Kroeger in RF every night just because they are young if they arent ready.

I think you underestimate the abilities of these young players, one to two years at most, they should be ready. It's really a matter of philosophy here; keep young players in the minors to "build confidence" or bring them up to get used to major league pitching. I am more of a proponent of the latter, of course depending on the situation. Look, we are going to suck either way, I would rather have the young players get the experience, trade RJ, get some good pitchers/pitching prospects, and start over. Enough of this restock w/ veterans to compete pipe dream.