Diamondbacks Making One More Run At Free Agents

[PDXChris]

Diamondbacks pitchers and catcher report to Spring Training in just three days, but the team will make one last run at the free agent market, writes MLB.com's Steve Gilbert. Among the free agents they're interested is right-hander Bronson Arroyo, team president Derrick Hall confirmed to Zach Buchanan of the Arizona Republic. However, the team is interested in a two-year deal for the veteran righty, Hall told Buchanan (Twitter links), which may not be enough to entice Arroyo.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/02/diamondbacks-making-one-more-run-at-free-agents.html

Cheap two deal would not be the worst thing in the world.

 

[Matt L]

I doubt it will be cheap, but I think he is a quality signing and I am surprised that he hasn't been signed by now.

 

[WildBB]

I doubt it will be cheap, but I think he is a quality signing and I am surprised that he hasn't been signed by now.

Yeah, the shorter the deal the steeper the salary would need to be to get him to sign.

 

[Phrazbit]

He will be 37 by the time the season starts and his BEST year in the past 7 seasons was one with a 3.74 ERA, with a few really bad seasons sprinkled in. There is no way this guy deserves an 8 figure, multi year contract.

 

[devilalum]

No worries. Dodgers are gonna sign him just so nobody else can.

 

[PDXChris]

The Diamondbacks, Dodgers, and Orioles are the three finalists to land free agent starter Bronson Arroyo, reports Bob Nightengale of USA Today (via Twitter). Among those clubs, the Diamondbacks are "slight favorites" to lock up the soon-to-be 37-year-old.

We heard recently that Arroyo had yet to receive a firm offer, but reported interest has never waned in the durable righty. Another recent report suggested that Arroyo has continued to ask clubs for a third guaranteed year. Arizona, a newer entrant to the chase for Arroyo, is said to be interested in a two-year pact.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/02/diamondbacks-dodgers-orioles-finalists-for-arroyo.html

 

[82CardsGrad]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/02/diamondbacks-dodgers-orioles-finalists-for-arroyo.html

The guy is amazingly durable and I wouldn't mind seeing him as our #3/#4. But a 3 year deal?? C'mon dude... get real!

 

[Brian]

FWIW- The beat writer for the Dodgers was just on the radio today stating that the Dodgers are not actively chasing Arroyo. They are in more of a "yeah we'll sign him if he wants to come here" kind of mode.

Wouldn't surprise me to see the D-Backs get him.

What I'm more interested in is A) How well/poorly did he pitch against the NL West last year and B) Who does this potentially bump out of the rotation - Cahill, McCarthy, or Delgado?

 

[Matt L]

FWIW- The beat writer for the Dodgers was just on the radio today stating that the Dodgers are not actively chasing Arroyo. They are in more of a "yeah we'll sign him if he wants to come here" kind of mode.

Wouldn't surprise me to see the D-Backs get him.

What I'm more interested in is A) How well/poorly did he pitch against the NL West last year and B) Who does this potentially bump out of the rotation - Cahill, McCarthy, or Delgado?

He gave up 14 earned runs in 5 games against the NL West last year. That is way too small of a sample size to really draw any conclusions.

He's not going to be cheap and he is not a superstar, but throwing over 200 innings is valuable and posting an ERA under 4.00 in Cincinnati makes him better than average in my book. He bumps Delgado out of the rotation until McCarthy gets hurt and I am completely fine with that.

 

[PDXChris]

9:32pm: The D'Backs are "very serious" about signing Arroyo and are planning to meet with him, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe tweets.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/02/diamondbacks-dodgers-orioles-finalists-for-arroyo.html

 

[Brian]

He gave up 14 earned runs in 5 games against the NL West last year. That is way too small of a sample size to really draw any conclusions.

He's not going to be cheap and he is not a superstar, but throwing over 200 innings is valuable and posting an ERA under 4.00 in Cincinnati makes him better than average in my book. He bumps Delgado out of the rotation until McCarthy gets hurt and I am completely fine with that.

I would have no problem with Delgado in the pen. Fastball/Change-up with location has worked for many, many relief pitchers.

 

[PDXChris]

THURSDAY: Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweets that Arroyo's camp has lowered the asking price to the two-year, $22MM range, and the Orioles and Diamondbacks are "definitely pushing" for the veteran righty.

That seems ok to me for a guy that will give you 12-14 wins and 200 innings.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/0...or-arroyo.html

 

[Phrazbit]

That seems ok to me for a guy that will give you 12-14 wins and 200 innings.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/0...or-arroyo.html

http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/splits/_/id/4416/type/pitching3/bronson-arroyo

His 3 year splits suggest his wins had more to do with run support than his own pitching. He has been very mediocre and for whatever reason seems to pitch better in day games (and we almost never play in them).

This seems like yet another signing of addition for the sake of addition. An old player who does not even represent a clear upgrade over the current talent. Arroyo is a #4 starter, we already have a ton of those, paying 11 mil a year for another seems superfluous.

 

[82CardsGrad]

http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/splits/_/id/4416/type/pitching3/bronson-arroyo

His 3 year splits suggest his wins had more to do with run support than his own pitching. He has been very mediocre and for whatever reason seems to pitch better in day games (and we almost never play in them).

This seems like yet another signing of addition for the sake of addition. An old player who does not even represent a clear upgrade over the current talent. Arroyo is a #4 starter, we already have a ton of those, paying 11 mil a year for another seems superfluous.

I would say that on a 2 year deal, Arroyo would be an upgrade over 2, if not 3 of our current potential starters: DelGado, Cahill, McCarthy.

 

[Lefty]

I would say that on a 2 year deal, Arroyo would be an upgrade over 2, if not 3 of our current potential starters: DelGado, Cahill, McCarthy.

No way. This is such a desperate move for Towers. Arroyo is not worth more than 3 million for one year.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Not enough (if at all) of an upgrade to be worth $22M. Keep that money in the Corbin/Miley next contract piggy bank.

 

[AZ Native]

I would say that on a 2 year deal, Arroyo would be an upgrade over 2, if not 3 of our current potential starters: DelGado, Cahill, McCarthy.

I agree he is an upgrade over 3, perhaps 2, but this is not a move I want to see.

 

[Phrazbit]

I would say that on a 2 year deal, Arroyo would be an upgrade over 2, if not 3 of our current potential starters: DelGado, Cahill, McCarthy.

Its very debatable if he represents any upgrade over Delgado and Cahill, but yes, he would represent an upgrade over McCarthy, but thats only because McCarthy is both bad and constantly injured (both things McCarthy had going against him before Towers inked him to his stupid contract... but I digress).

I'd sincerely hope that for 11-12 million over 2-3 years Towers could find someone better than a 37 year old with an ERA that typically is in the 4s. For a team with our payroll if you're going to drop 8 figures a year on a guy he better fill a NEED or just be too good to pass up. None of that describes Arroyo. We have no "need" for another #4 starter, whom if not for the salary he will potentially be getting would have to fight for a spot in the rotation during spring training, we already have 2 guys of that ilk on the roster.

 

[PDXChris]

FRIDAY: Jim Bowden of ESPN and MLB Network Radio tweets that Arroyo will end up signing with either the Dodgers or the Diamondbacks.

.

 

[WildBB]

.

Is that the ESPN LA office?

He's probably being offered dinner by the agent as well.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Its very debatable if he represents any upgrade over Delgado and Cahill, but yes, he would represent an upgrade over McCarthy, but thats only because McCarthy is both bad and constantly injured (both things McCarthy had going against him before Towers inked him to his stupid contract... but I digress).

I'd sincerely hope that for 11-12 million over 2-3 years Towers could find someone better than a 37 year old with an ERA that typically is in the 4s. For a team with our payroll if you're going to drop 8 figures a year on a guy he better fill a NEED or just be too good to pass up. None of that describes Arroyo. We have no "need" for another #4 starter, whom if not for the salary he will potentially be getting would have to fight for a spot in the rotation during spring training, we already have 2 guys of that ilk on the roster.

I think it's safe to say that Arroyo is an upgrade over both Delgado and McCarthy. And easily over the 2013 version of Cahill.
As for the $$ issue and whom to spend it on - IMHO, given where salaries have risen to in MLB, 8 figures for 2 years for a guy like Arroyo seems about right. Not that I agree with that, however, when you look at other players and what is actually/legitimately available, it seems about right.
The choice really is - spend the money on Arroyo, or, don't spend it at all... If the team is willing to part with $20 million or so over 2 years, what the issue?? It's not like we're dealing with a cap. It's not like we're attempting to grab a washed nobody who can't make it through 1/2 a season.
You would "hope Towers could find someone better" than Arroyo... Like who? We went after Tanaka and whiffed. Price was never a legit option. Who else?

 

[Phrazbit]

I'd rather save the money and use it for a trade, use it for next off season, I dont know, but I certainly dont see the "need" for a 37 year old pitcher who's typical season has an ERA over 4. Between the current mediocrity on bad contracts at the major league level, and what potential we have in the minors the level of "talent" Arroyo brings in certainly seems negligible. Especially for the absurd price attached.

We supposedly "needed" an ace. We couldnt get one, what "need" Arroyo fills is beyond me. He certainly is not an Ace, and what debatable upgrade he might represent in no way justifies tying up another huge portion of the payroll in a #4 starter.

People bemoan the supposed salary constraints Towers has to work with, but he has no one to blame but himself when he continually shells out large contracts to mediocre talent. Should an ace even become available getting them would be financially rough as we'd be spending 30 million on THREE back of the rotation pitchers. With the increased payroll allowance from the organization the Dbacks could easily afford a legit star (or 2) if not for Towers continual habit of shelling out money to guys that are barely above replacement level, especially when he already had comparable, and much cheaper young already in the organization.

And its seriously debatable if Arroyo is an upgrade over Cahill and Delgado. Looking at his 3 year splits, how he has pitched away from Cincy, that he appears to pitch much better in day games (and we play almost none)... he is a very mediocre looking player. And that ignores his age, he is long enough in the tooth that a steep decline would surprise no one.

So... in summary, is it worth 10-12 million a year to maaaaaybe upgrade from an average #4 starter to a slightly above average (but possibly awful) #4 starter? I dont think so.

 

[82CardsGrad]

I'd rather save the money and use it for a trade, use it for next off season, I dont know, but I certainly dont see the "need" for a 37 year old pitcher who's typical season has an ERA over 4. Between the current mediocrity on bad contracts at the major league level, and what potential we have in the minors the level of "talent" Arroyo brings in certainly seems negligible. Especially for the absurd price attached.

We supposedly "needed" an ace. We couldnt get one, what "need" Arroyo fills is beyond me. He certainly is not an Ace, and what debatable upgrade he might represent in no way justifies tying up another huge portion of the payroll in a #4 starter.

People bemoan the supposed salary constraints Towers has to work with, but he has no one to blame but himself when he continually shells out large contracts to mediocre talent. Should an ace even become available getting them would be financially rough as we'd be spending 30 million on THREE back of the rotation pitchers. With the increased payroll allowance from the organization the Dbacks could easily afford a legit star (or 2) if not for Towers continual habit of shelling out money to guys that are barely above replacement level, especially when he already had comparable, and much cheaper young already in the organization.

And its seriously debatable if Arroyo is an upgrade over Cahill and Delgado. Looking at his 3 year splits, how he has pitched away from Cincy, that he appears to pitch much better in day games (and we play almost none)... he is a very mediocre looking player. And that ignores his age, he is long enough in the tooth that a steep decline would surprise no one.

So... in summary, is it worth 10-12 million a year to maaaaaybe upgrade from an average #4 starter to a slightly above average (but possibly awful) #4 starter? I dont think so.

I think that's the key question... and IMO, given that it's Arroyo who virtually guarantees 200+ innings (his age notwithstanding), AND, if you believe we have a legit shot at a wild card, I believe the answer is yes. Arroyo starting as your #3 or #4 gives more insurance to the rotation and more flexibility. The price is what it is...

 

[Phrazbit]

I think that's the key question... and IMO, given that it's Arroyo who virtually guarantees 200+ innings (his age notwithstanding), AND, if you believe we have a legit shot at a wild card, I believe the answer is yes. Arroyo starting as your #3 or #4 gives more insurance to the rotation and more flexibility. The price is what it is...

I dont think you can simply say the price is what it is when you're talking about a back of the rotation player. If we want to have flexibility to legitimately improve the team then at some point the splurging on mediocre guys has to stop. I dont care if he is possibly marginal upgrade, at that price he is not worth it, a team in our position cannot afford to drop that kind of money when the potential reward is like two more wins over the course of the year... along with the potential for a complete disaster. And Arroyo (even without looking at the high probability of decline), has had several awful seasons in his career.

 

[NoelPHX]

Per Gambo Arroyo signed with the Dbacks.