azdad1978
Championship!!!!
By Dan Zeiger, Tribune
The Diamondbacks’ pursuit of a center fielder via a trade slowed slightly on Friday, as general manager Joe Garagiola Jr. devoted much of his time to trying to reach a deal with arbitration-eligible pitcher Casey Fossum.
With the clock ticking toward a hearing on Monday before a three-person panel in Tampa, Fla., Garagiola took what he called one of his "final shots" with agent Bo McKinnis. It was unsuccessful.
"As of now, we have people scheduled to leave (this morning) for Tampa, and I’ll be behind them on Sunday," said Garagiola, who expects to talk to McKinnis today.
If an agreement is not reached, the panel will choose either the $800,000 salary proposal for 2005 that the DBacks submitted or the $1.35 million Fossum and McKinnis countered with.
Still, there were developments in the center-field situation Friday, with the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times reporting that the Tampa Bay Devil Rays were in talks with Arizona regarding Jose Cruz Jr.
Garagiola would not comment on the report, but Cruz fits the D-Backs’ criteria: a veteran who is sound defensively and affordable. His salary for 2005 is $4 million.
Meanwhile, Eric Byrnes avoided arbitration with the Oakland Athletics by signing a one-year, $2.2 million pact. Byrnes and the New York Mets’ Mike Cameron, who is due $6 million in ’05 and ’06, remain potential suitors.
CINTRON SHINES
Shortstop Alex Cintron was the only D-Back who made a final roster in the Caribbean Series, and he has been impressive, Garagiola said. Playing for Puerto Rico, Cintron collected four hits with an RBI and scored twice in a 6-5 loss against Venezuela on Thursday.
" ‘Rizz’ (scouting director Mike Rizzo) said he looked good and is in good shape," Garagiola said. "Alex told him he was in a great frame of mind and ready to come to camp. So, it was positive."
SHORT HOPS
Pitcher Oscar Villarreal, who was limited to 17 games a year ago with right elbow troubles that led to nerve transposition surgery, was scheduled to throw off a mound on Friday for the first time since the operation. Garagiola said he had not yet received a report.
A reliever the last two seasons, Villarreal is expected to contend for a spot in the rotation in spring training.
Team officials are continuing to discuss a contract proposal for unsigned 2004 first-round draft selection Stephen Drew but have not yet presented anything to the player or his agent, Scott Boras.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=35931
The Diamondbacks’ pursuit of a center fielder via a trade slowed slightly on Friday, as general manager Joe Garagiola Jr. devoted much of his time to trying to reach a deal with arbitration-eligible pitcher Casey Fossum.
With the clock ticking toward a hearing on Monday before a three-person panel in Tampa, Fla., Garagiola took what he called one of his "final shots" with agent Bo McKinnis. It was unsuccessful.
"As of now, we have people scheduled to leave (this morning) for Tampa, and I’ll be behind them on Sunday," said Garagiola, who expects to talk to McKinnis today.
If an agreement is not reached, the panel will choose either the $800,000 salary proposal for 2005 that the DBacks submitted or the $1.35 million Fossum and McKinnis countered with.
Still, there were developments in the center-field situation Friday, with the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times reporting that the Tampa Bay Devil Rays were in talks with Arizona regarding Jose Cruz Jr.
Garagiola would not comment on the report, but Cruz fits the D-Backs’ criteria: a veteran who is sound defensively and affordable. His salary for 2005 is $4 million.
Meanwhile, Eric Byrnes avoided arbitration with the Oakland Athletics by signing a one-year, $2.2 million pact. Byrnes and the New York Mets’ Mike Cameron, who is due $6 million in ’05 and ’06, remain potential suitors.
CINTRON SHINES
Shortstop Alex Cintron was the only D-Back who made a final roster in the Caribbean Series, and he has been impressive, Garagiola said. Playing for Puerto Rico, Cintron collected four hits with an RBI and scored twice in a 6-5 loss against Venezuela on Thursday.
" ‘Rizz’ (scouting director Mike Rizzo) said he looked good and is in good shape," Garagiola said. "Alex told him he was in a great frame of mind and ready to come to camp. So, it was positive."
SHORT HOPS
Pitcher Oscar Villarreal, who was limited to 17 games a year ago with right elbow troubles that led to nerve transposition surgery, was scheduled to throw off a mound on Friday for the first time since the operation. Garagiola said he had not yet received a report.
A reliever the last two seasons, Villarreal is expected to contend for a spot in the rotation in spring training.
Team officials are continuing to discuss a contract proposal for unsigned 2004 first-round draft selection Stephen Drew but have not yet presented anything to the player or his agent, Scott Boras.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=35931
