"D-Backs Prepare To Trade"

[KingLouieLouie]

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/0729dbtrade0729.html

D-Backs prepare to trade
Mondesi a potential fit

Mark Gonzales
The Arizona Republic
Jul. 29, 2003 12:00 AM


MIAMI - Right is not all right, and the Diamondbacks are trying to do something about it.





Right field has fallen under scrutiny because starters at that position were only 7 for 35 (.200) in the first 11 games after the All-Star break. Danny Bautista, who returned July 23 from a left hamstring strain, was in the lineup Monday after not starting two games. Bautista is 3 for 12 with a double and no RBIs since his return and has only one home run and 18 RBIs this year.

The team has scored 15 runs in its past 10 games.

The New York Yankees' Raul Mondesi, whom the Diamondbacks inquired about last winter, provides a potential fit. Other possibilities for the Diamondbacks include San Diego's Rondell White, Milwaukee's Richie Sexson, Baltimore's Jeff Conine and Texas' Juan Gonzalez.

The Diamondbacks are trying to perform the juggling act of keeping their prime prospects and not assuming a large salary.

"We know generally what we're prepared to do," said General Manager Joe Garagiola Jr., who was accompanied by assistant GM Sandy Johnson on this trip. "I don't think you'll see us straying too far from that path."

Mondesi has been deemed expendable with the return of designated hitter Nick Johnson. The Yankees are looking to restock their minor league system with bullpen and outfield help.

Mondesi, 32, is batting .258 with 16 home runs and 49 RBIs in 98 games. The Yankees are responsible for $6 million of the $13 million he will receive this season ($7 million will be paid by Toronto as part of their trade last summer).

Florida also is interested in Mondesi and could be more willing to part with some of its top prospects. The Diamondbacks have talked to other teams. Scouts from Atlanta, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Montreal and Houston attended Monday's game.



Right-handed bats on the block
Player (position), HR, RBI, BA, Team, Plus, Minus

Raul Mondesi (of), 16, 49, .258, NY Yankees, Perfect offensive fit, good speed, Erratic defense

Rondell White, 16, 54, .269, San Diego, Solid line-drive hitter, Prone to injury

Richie Sexson (1b), 29, 80, .268, Milwaukee, Monster power, Price could be too high,

Jeff Conine (1b), 15, 73, .291, Baltimore, Dependable hitter, Slow

Juan Gonzalez (of), 24, 70, .294, Texas, See Sexson, On DL, doesn't like change
They're searching for a right-handed hitter, perhaps a right fielder, to help remedy their offensive malaise. They hope to make a deal before Thursday's 1 p.m. trading deadline.

The question is, out of those 5-options listed, who would you prefer? I honestly believe that none of them offer any real solutions....

 

[mark1]

I want Richie Sexson. He has 29 bombs and 80 RBI's which would lead this team by a wide margin in both categories. And to think he is doing that on a terrible Brewer team is pretty impressive. He is also hitting .308 with RISP, and is a pretty good defensive 1st baseman. Of course if we got a firstbaseman like Sexson or Conine, Shea would have to play third full time which gives me indigestion thinking about it. Colangelo said any trade has to be "salary neutral" and Sexson makes about 5.5 mil this year. That is about the combined salary of Bautista and Spivey. I would think a Spivey, Bautista, and a pitcher like Capuano or Patterson could get a deal done. He will make about 8 mil next year so the Diamondbacks would have to dump salary over the winter. IMO, there are only two guys out there who would make a significant difference to this lineup, Sexson or Giles. Mondesi, Sanders, and the like are not much if any upgrade at all. If we trade for a 1st sacker, than I would bring up Luis Terrero who has been knocking the cover off the ball lately to play rightfield. Terrero is better defensively with a stronger arm and more speed than the garbage we have playing rightfield now.

 

[KingLouieLouie]

I wonder if their sudden interest in either Conine or Sexson immediately spells the end for Overbay as even a long-term solution? Overbay obviously does lack the necessary power #s for a 1B, so probably that makes him expendable himself... Also, if Hillenbrand returns back to 3B on a regular basis, that would cause major headaches in how Brenly would use Kata and Counsell regularly.......

 

[mark1]

If we include Spivey than Kata takes over second full time and Counsell goes back to being the super utility guy which he is best suited for IMO.

 

[KingLouieLouie]

Originally posted by mark1
If we include Spivey than Kata takes over second full time and Counsell goes back to being the super utility guy which he is best suited for IMO.

I honestly dont believe the Brewers would have an interest in Spivey since they already have Eric Young at 2B (been rumors involving him possibly being traded) and are looking to dump salary.... If there was a major need for the Brewers (besides a security guard for the Sausage race participants) that would be an established closer.... Unfortunately, it appears the Dbacks wouldnt be willing to part with Mantei since Valverde has never been tested during a pressure-filled Wild-Card/Pennant Race....

I read somewhere today that the Yankees are still interested in a LH reliever and am wondering if the Dbacks would finally deal
Myers..... Randolph and Oropesa have been better and adequate in that role of a "LH specialist"..... Just don't know what kind of prospects would the Yankees give-up for Myers? Would certainly hope its a decent OF prospect w/some speed (something the Dbacks must address in their organization).....

 

[mark1]

Eric Young is 36 years old and not the future for the Brewers. They could definately use Junior. If were going to make the salaries work, than Junior will probably be involved in any trade we might make. Junior is one of the few veterans who has trade value IMO. Whether we trade for Sexson or anybody else, I think Junior is leaving town.

 

[KingLouieLouie]

The Brewers already have their 2B/SS combo of the future up w/the "big-club", that being Bill Hall and Enrique Cruz..... I wonder though if teams are hesistant to acquire Spivey since he's been injury prone over the past couple seasons and exhibited a poor attitude in not wanting to play another position other than 2B....

 

[devilalum]

The Diamondbacks are trying to perform the juggling act of keeping their prime prospects and not assuming a large salary.

This pretty much says it all.

This is how we got Albie Lopez. Don't expect any miracles.

 

[KingLouieLouie]

Originally posted by devilalum
This pretty much says it all.

This is how we got Albie Lopez. Don't expect any miracles.

The other team might be willing to pick-up the player's contract for the rest of the season (and he's in his final year, the Dbacks would let him "walk").......

 

[IndyDevil]

Originally posted by devilalum
This is how we got Albie Lopez. Don't expect any miracles.

With the exception of the Schilling trade, most of our deadline deals have involved players such as the aforementioned "Bombs Away" Lopez, so devilalum is right on target - our payroll situation just won't let us get the power-hitter we really need!!

I'll keep dreaming of either Sexson or Vlad in a D'Backs uniform...

 

[Mike Olbinski]

Originally posted by IndyDback
With the exception of the Schilling trade, most of our deadline deals have involved players such as the aforementioned "Bombs Away" Lopez, so devilalum is right on target - our payroll situation just won't let us get the power-hitter we really need!!

I'll keep dreaming of either Sexson or Vlad in a D'Backs uniform...

I would die for Vladi...he sure would answer that RF problem...can you imagine?

Mike

 

[moviegeekjn]

Originally posted by Chandler Mike
I would die for Vladi...he sure would answer that RF problem...can you imagine?

I have Vlad on one of my fantasy teams.... It's nice to imagine.... but it ain't gonna happen in RL

 

[RLakin]

Order of preference:


1. Juan Gonzalez
2. Richie Sexton
3. Jeff Conine
4. Rondell White
5. Raul Mondesi


D-Backs still need a cleanup hitter (preferably a righty) who can play in RF or, possibly, at 1st base. Gonzalez fits both needs the best and would probably cost the team less than with any of the other 3 as it is a forgone conclusion that Texas will not retain his services for 2004. Gonzalez may want some guarantees (extension) from the team he goes to, however. The other 3 could be contributors, but Sexton will cost too much and Conine and White are not going to fill the aforementioned void at #4 in the lineup. Mondesi is a stiff, who they should stay the hell away from. If the D-Backs wanted a right fielder with a good arm that doesn’t consistently drive runners in, they’d stay with their own incumbent stiff.