Diamondbacks sign RHP Russ Ortiz

[CatBoxBackFan]

Yahoo Sports


ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) - The Arizona Diamondbacks continue to make waves in the free agent marketplace, reportedly signing veteran righthander Russ Ortiz on Friday in what could be a precursor to a blockbuster involving Randy Johnson.

The team has called a news conference for 5 p.m. EST.

The deal reportedly is for four years and worth $34 million.

The move would come on the heels of Arizona shelling out a reported $45 million over four years for third baseman Troy Glaus on Thursday.

The move bolsters Arizona's rotation and sets it up to deal ace Randy Johnson, one of the most coveted pitchers on the market. The 41-year-old Johnson has been targeted by the New York Yankees in a deal that reportedly would bring back Javier Vazquez.

The signing of Ortiz, the addition of Vazquez and the return of Brandon Webb would go a long way to helping rebuild a club that went 51-111 last season.

Ortiz, who makes his home in Phoenix, has spent his last two seasons with Atlanta. He was 15-9 with a 4.13 ERA in 34 games, allowing 197 hits and striking out 143 in 204 1/3 innings. Over two seasons with the Braves, Ortiz went 36-16.

One of the most consistent and durable pitchers in the game, Ortiz has won at least 14 games in each season since 1999 and has logged at least 204 innings in all but one of those years.

Ortiz, who spent his first five seasons with San Francisco, has a career record of 103-60 with a 4.00 ERA.

 

[Dback Jon]

I like this signing.

 

[AZCB34]

I like this signing.

For some reason, and I cannot put my finger on it, I don't like this signing. I think Matt Clement is the better alternative but he is likely going to cost more money. Ortiz' ERA is going up while Clement's has been going down...or at least that was the case last year.

I get this Richie Sexson vibe with Ortiz. You know, the guy who is durable and can play everyday and suddenly, BLAMO, he is regularly injured.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I'm not that amped on this signing either. The combination of leaving Turner Field for the more hitter-friendly BOB and the fact that a heavy majority of former Braves picthers are not as good once they leave Atlanta will land us an $8.5 million 4.60 ERA pitcher. That's still an improvement over Sparks and Reynolds, but if Webb and Ortiz don't figure out how to throw strikes we could easily lead NL staffs in walks.

 

[The Commish]

Ortiz was good in San Francisco before he went to Atlanta. People doubted him before he went to the dirty south and he still got the job done.

 

[boondockdrunk]

I wish we didnt spend so much money on him, but overall I am pleased with this signing. Ortiz isnt an ace, but I think he is a dependable #3. He is alot better than the options we had last year. And lets face facts, we werent going to get Clement or Pavano. Ortiz is probably the next best option out there.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

He's not a flashy pitcher but he consistently wins. I expect it to be a good move, but I worry a little every time I hear the phrase "fly ball pitcher."

 

[Ryanwb]

I am a little concerned about the bullpen....

Our closer could be any one of: Valverde, Aqunio or Bruney. I believe Bob Melvin said in his news conference a few days ago that he wants to try Villarreal as starter this year. Who is really left in the bullpen?

Also, is Brandon Webb ruined or what??

 

[KingLouieLouie]

I am a little concerned about the bullpen....

Our closer could be any one of: Valverde, Aqunio or Bruney. I believe Bob Melvin said in his news conference a few days ago that he wants to try Villarreal as starter this year. Who is really left in the bullpen?

Also, is Brandon Webb ruined or what??

I'm going to reiterate what I've been saying since the mid-way through last season....The Dbacks must acquire a "rubber arm" reliever this off-season or else.....

The candidates (barring any more moves) to be in the Dbacks BP (along with the ones you mentioned) are Brandon Lyon (wondering if he has recovered during the offseason), Casey Fossum (he will pitch extensive innings in mid-relief if Villareal indeed starts), Randy Choate/Shane Nance/Steve Randolph will be battling for the role as their LHR specialist during Spring Training.....And we cannot forget Mike Koplove (who was steady during the 2nd half of last season)....

I bet Villareal will remain in the rotation until Bill Murphy is ready to start at the ML level (which probably could happen as early as mid-May)....

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

I am a little concerned about the bullpen....

Our closer could be any one of: Valverde, Aqunio or Bruney. I believe Bob Melvin said in his news conference a few days ago that he wants to try Villarreal as starter this year. Who is really left in the bullpen?

Also, is Brandon Webb ruined or what??

Probably seven of the following:
Aquino
Valverde
Bruney
Koplove
Lyon
Villareal
Randolph
Choate
Maybe Fossum/Gosling/E. Gonzalez

The problem with it right now is that as somebody meantioned above, there is no real innings eater in that bunch.

As for Webb, what do you mean ruined?

 

[AZCB34]

Also, is Brandon Webb ruined or what??

This season will answer that I think...assuming you are talking about ruined "confidence". Expectations, including my own, we simply way too high for him I think so it is almost a certainty he would never meet them. Moving forward, I have certainly ratched down my expectations of him and with some offensive production during his starts (I recall him not getting much production), maybe he can bounce back.

 

[ajcardfan]

These signings seem to be extremely high risk to me. I just don't understand them. They're paying them like they think these two can put us in the playoffs next year. Almost like they have decided to pretend last year's record doesn't exist.

If Glaus and Ortiz are not excellent here, not just"okay" or "good", I'm afraid we're going to put together a string of bad seasons like the Tigers have gone through.

 

[Toro]

$20 million for Ortiz and Glaus. Does that get anyone really excited?

I'd rather have A Rod.

 

[AZZenny]

Unfortunately, this year is an inflated FA market, just look at Kris Benson and Steve Finley. IF Glaus is healthy I think we'll be OK there, although I think more than a 3 year contract for guys like this is just stupid as hell.

Ortiz is a really average pitcher, when you look at his meaningful numbers (W-L NOT being that useful, which as we've previously discussed, our GM just doesn't understand). God I hope they don't go after Shawn Estes next.

Basically, this is business-as-usual, and nobody has learned a phuqueing thing.

 

[az240zz]

d

 

[black]

$20 million for Ortiz and Glaus. Does that get anyone really excited?

I'd rather have A Rod.

You got yourself a good starting pitcher to line up with Johnson and a great hitting 3rd basemen. What are you talking about? A-Rod is overpriced.

 

[Toro]

A Rod is lock to play at a All Star level. He is one of the faces of MLB. He would bring fans out to the BOB. He is a fun player to watch.

Can you guarantee any of this with Glaus or Ortiz? I don't think so.

 

[CatBoxBackFan]

A Rod is lock to play at a All Star level. He is one of the faces of MLB. He would bring fans out to the BOB. He is a fun player to watch.

Can you guarantee any of this with Glaus or Ortiz? I don't think so.

So will winning,Can A-Rod pitch to?

 

[Toro]

If anyone on this board thinks that the Dbacks are reloading and not rebuilding is crazy. Any team that lose 111 games in a position to rebuild, not reload.

Looking at the lineup

Pitching

RJ (If he stays, he is getting older)
Webb (Who knows what you will get)
Ortiz (Average at best)
?
?

Bullpen

Wow, can't really mention anything good down there.


1B Tracey? (He won't scare anyone but the other infielders who have to throw to him)
2B ? TBD
SS ? TBD
3B Glaus (Injuries the last two years)
LF Gonzo (coming off of major surgery, needs a big bat behind him)
CF ??? (Maybe someone who can catch would be nice
RF ??????
C ???? Anyone who can play a whole season would be nice


It is going to be ugly in 2005. Or should I start a mixture of DBacks Koolaid going. What flavor would you like?

 

[AZZenny]

Orange or Grape.

You're wrong about the bullpen, I believe - we have a number of talented young guys, although sorting them out and giving them roles may be tricky.

Otherwise, look for a couple more overly-long, overpaid contracts - Royce Clayton is likely, Dellucci, I even heard Kelly Stinnett, but I think it was a joke.

Sidewinders should be fun this year, at least.

This front office still sucks. INTERCHANGEABLE BOZOS!

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Orange or Grape.

You're wrong about the bullpen, I believe - we have a number of talented young guys, although sorting them out and giving them roles may be tricky.

Otherwise, look for a couple more overly-long, overpaid contracts - Royce Clayton is likely, Dellucci, I even heard Kelly Stinnett, but I think it was a joke.

Sidewinders should be fun this year, at least.

This front office still sucks. INTERCHANGEABLE BOZOS!

I heard that they did offer Stinnett a minor league contract.

Front office sucks? Yeah, I know how much 5 winning seasons, 3 division championships, and a world championship in 7 years sucks.

 

[Dback Jon]

$20 million for Ortiz and Glaus. Does that get anyone really excited?

I'd rather have A Rod.

Why would anyone want to pay that much for one over-rated player?

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

$20 million for Ortiz and Glaus. Does that get anyone really excited?

I'd rather have A Rod.

Except we have too many holes to fill, so we need multiple mid-tier guys rather than one top-tier guy.

 

[BigRedVol]

Ortiz was good in San Francisco before he went to Atlanta. People doubted him before he went to the dirty south and he still got the job done.

Speaking as a huge braves fan here in the valley, yall are gonna love Ortiz!!! He is way underrated!!! I don't thick the bax are re-building, they are stocking up NOW!!!

And as for that red stripe clown talking about a dirty south, here's to ya.....

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[WizardOfAz]

Somebody asked the question on another thread.....