D'backs sign OF Cody Ross to 3 year deal

[Azlen]

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8...ee-year-contract-arizona-diamondbacks-sources

I guess this means Upton is on his way out.

 

[overseascardfan]

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/8...ee-year-contract-arizona-diamondbacks-sources

I guess this means Upton is on his way out.

Or Kubel, speculation is that ARZ has pulled Upton off the table and replaced him with Kubel. TEX was interested in Ross and Bourn but could be interested in Kubel to replace Hamilton's production.

 

[TruCard]

I don't understand what this organization is trying to do. Why would you let your best hitter from last season go when you need more thump in your lineup? If Kubel leaves, expect another crappy season. Ross can play center, keep them together.

 

[Lefty]

I don't understand what this organization is trying to do. Why would you let your best hitter from last season go when you need more thump in your lineup? If Kubel leaves, expect another crappy season. Ross can play center, keep them together.

Kubel had a terrible second half and Ross can't play center. With that said, this signing sucks and so does Towers. Ross is not even close to deserving $26 million for 3 years.

 

[overseascardfan]

Kubel had a terrible second half and Ross can't play center. With that said, this signing sucks and so does Towers. Ross is not even close to deserving $26 million for 3 years.

+1, not a reasonable signing. But Ross ended up pretty close to Kubel's numbers with 22 HR's, 81 RBIs and a .267 BA. He's a year older than Kubel, but Kubel will bring in a nice piece or 2 (3B or SP prospect) and Ross should replace his production. Worst case AZ trades Ross to a contender at deadline if they are out of contention and insert Parra or Pollock to replace him.

 

[TruCard]

Kubel had a terrible second half and Ross can't play center. With that said, this signing sucks and so does Towers. Ross is not even close to deserving $26 million for 3 years.

No, you are incorrect. Ross CAN play center. It's his most comfortable position. http://www.azsnakepit.com/2012/12/22/3796460/kevin-towers-cody-ross-diamondbacks


As far as Kubel, this guy is a threat at the plate. He needs to stay. He brings much needed pop from the left side. We don't have another lefty like him with pop. I guarantee that if we let him walk, we will wish we didn't. The guy hit three homers in one game. Although he had a mediocre second half, he was basically our main bat. When he went down with his injury, this offense sucked even more. When he returned it was clear how much he was missed. I think his injury had a part with his second half being down.

 

[Lefty]

No, you are incorrect. Ross CAN play center. It's his most comfortable position. http://www.azsnakepit.com/2012/12/22/3796460/kevin-towers-cody-ross-diamondbacks


As far as Kubel, this guy is a threat at the plate. He needs to stay. He brings much needed pop from the left side. We don't have another lefty like him with pop. I guarantee that if we let him walk, we will wish we didn't. The guy hit three homers in one game. Although he had a mediocre second half, he was basically our main bat. When he went down with his injury, this offense sucked even more. When he returned it was clear how much he was missed. I think his injury had a part with his second half being down.

Ross will not play center, he will play in left field. Boston knew he wasn't a center fielder because they went out and got Victorino. Eaton and Parra will be playing center. Those two can cover a lot more in the spacious Chase Field. As for Kubel, they will likely trade him and I am ok with that. This team has enough left-handed hitters. Montero, Chavez, Parra, Eaton and Gregorious all could be starting in the same lineup. Plus, Kubel strikes out too much. They need to get players who can put the ball in play a lot.

 

[BC867]

No, you are incorrect. Ross CAN play center. It's his most comfortable position. http://www.azsnakepit.com/2012/12/22/3796460/kevin-towers-cody-ross-diamondbacks

Despite what Towers said, AzCentral reported that "scouts say Ross lacks the range to play above-average defense in center." But then, the same thing was said about Parra.

It would be a shame to option Eaton. He is our only true leadoff hitter and has range in CF.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/dia...a-diamondbacks-cody-ross-three-year-deal.html

As far as Kubel, this guy is a threat at the plate. He needs to stay. He brings much needed pop from the left side. We don't have another lefty like him with pop. I guarantee that if we let him walk, we will wish we didn't. The guy hit three homers in one game. Although he had a mediocre second half, he was basically our main bat. When he went down with his injury, this offense sucked even more. When he returned it was clear how much he was missed. I think his injury had a part with his second half being down.

I agree with you. Strikeouts or not, we need a lefty big bopper in the heart of the batting order. Ironically, Towers will give up defense in CF, but not LF, where Eaton had a lot of outfield assists. It is inconsistent.

No true leadoff hitter. No true cleanup hitter. Better defense in LF, but not in CF. That is not the combination to fulfill our potential from last year to be the best team in the NL.

The best one to option would be the Manager with his attention-deficit-disorder lineups. What Towers has described only feeds into it. A GM catering to his Manager is a good thing, unless the Manager's philosophy results in .500 seasons.

 

[crisper57]

Personally, I am trilled with this signing. I grew up playing with Cody in Carlsbad, NM all the way through High School and still consider him a friend. I am glad he is finally on "my" team.

He can play CF. He won't be Chris Young out in the field, but he can do it just fine. Personally, I'd rather he play LF. He is quick, but he's never had what I call "blazing speed". He broke his leg when he was a kid and it never did heal quite right. He still has a noticeable gimp when he's running all these years later. Not that it's ever held him back.

Cody Ross is the definition of a "gamer". NLCS MVP a couple of years ago. He has his best games on the biggest stages. Hopefully the D-Backs actually put him in position to make use of this trait.

 

[TigToad]

Seems like we signed him to up the value of whichever outfielder we trade. I expect Ross will end up as the 4th OF when all is said and done.

 

[The Commish]

Seems like we signed him to up the value of whichever outfielder we trade. I expect Ross will end up as the 4th OF when all is said and done.

Agreed. Also a good insurance policy should Eaton not play well in CF or someone gets hurt. I still expect Kubel to be traded.

 

[High Stakes]

Agreed. Also a good insurance policy should Eaton not play well in CF or someone gets hurt. I still expect Kubel to be traded.

This

 

[Phrazbit]

Man, the more I think about this signing the more I hate it. This guy has been a very average player for his career and we're paying him 8 mil per. He made 3 mil last year in Boston on a 1 year deal.

I feel like Towers is drunk half the time. His moves are either brilliant or baffling.

 

[Diamondback Jay]

Welcome to the nature of the off-season man.. One minute/year's value signing is the next season's overpaid head scratcher.