Do you believe the Diamondbacks will be active this offseason?

[Lefty]

Will they make trades and/or sign free agents? I can't see how they will be content going into next year with this team.

 

[az240zz]

I don't know how active they are going to be but I hope a catcher that can hit at least .250 is on the agenda.

az240z

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

I do not anticipate the Diamondbacks being as busy this off-season as last, but I believe they will still make several moves. First and foremost, the bullpen absolutely must be adressed. You take the 2005 Diamondbacks and give them just a decent bullpen (as opposed to the worst bullpen in fifty years) and they are bearable. Certainly not World Series champions and probably not even division champs, but they'd be bearable. To restore decency to the pen, the Diamondbacks need to sign at the minimum three guys, preferably four. I am not talking signings of guys like Almanza, I mean solid, proven relievers. But at the same token, I do not mean that they need big name (and big price tag) guys; they should not overreact and go after a Billy Wagner and offer a huge contract. We need more help geting to the closer more than an actual closer. With Jose Cruz Jr. already off the books, and Worrell, Estes, and Clayton soon to join him, the cash is there to upgrade the pen.

The catcher position also needs to be addressed. I like Snyder, but he should really be in AAA next year. Stinnett has done a solid job for us this year, I would not mind resigning him to give him a shot at the backup role again. Nevertheless, a new starting catcher would be a big boost for the team.

There are obviously question marks around Javier Vazquez. He has the CBA clause where he can demand a trade or else become a free agent if he does so wish to do so. If he demands a trade, I might be tempted to just let him go for free and become a free agent. That probably sounds crazy, but here is why. With the up-and-down year Vazquez has had, and the large price tag, I would not be surprised if there were very few decent trade offers. I am not sure we would get much worth while in return if we were to trade Javy, and the Diamondbacks would almost certainly have to give up that huge chunk of cash they recieved from the Yankees. So the Dbacks could either trade Javy and the $10M and get little in return, or they can let him go for free but keep the $10M and thus have much greater financial flexibility. This is, of couse, assuming that Javy wants out.

The OF/1B issue will also need to be addressed sooner or later. Currently, we have Clark, Jackson, Tracy, Gonzalez, Green, and Quentin all with a legit shot for only four positions, so we can assume that there is a good chance somebody will be traded (or Quentin will remain in the minors for another year). With the way Tony Clark has been mentoring Jackson over at first base, he probably believes that Jackson will indeed take over for him at 1B next year, and that Clark will go back to being a lethal weapon on the bench, which is a role he seems to enjoy anyways. With this in mind, I would pencil in Jackson as our 1B starter and Clark on the bench. This leaves the three outfield slots for four guys. If Quentin can legitimately play CF, that solves a lot of problems. Green could shift back to his more natural RF and either Gonzalez or Tracy would play LF. I would prefer that Gonzalez would be traded over Tracy (even if we would have to pay a couple million of Gonzo's contract), but Tracy could bring in a decent return so I would not mind if Tracy was traded in the right deal. So that would leave us with an OF of Gonzalez (or Tracy) - Quentin - Green.

Obviously, the defense of that outfield isnt all that great. Quentin in CF is one massive assumption, many scouts have commented on that before. However, those comments were before Quentin actually did play CF, and I havent heard many bad things since he has taken CF. The guy has committed only one error all year; I know that does not mean that he is necessarily a good defender, but I think it shows he is obviously not hopelessly lost out there. Still, I am not a scout, nor do I pretend to be one, so I would go with the decision of the scouts and experts on whether or not Quentin can really play CF.

I would like to see the middle infield revamped as well, but this is lower on my wishlist. I think Counsell and Cintron will get the majority of the starts at 2B next year, but I would ideally like to see a better one/two year stopgap than Clayton brought in until one of our great SS prospects can take his place.

Obviously, the starting rotation is a mess. It is unknown if Vazquez will stay (or if he will even regain the form we saw at different periods this year), what will happen to Ortiz, and if Vargas and Halsey are for real. If Vazquez leaves, a new number one pitcher must be brought in or else we risk having the worst rotation in the majors next year. I would like to see if Ortiz can regain form in the bullpen, leaving another slot in the rotation needing to be filled. That leaves three slots for Webb, Vargas, and Halsey, with a couple guys like Gosling, Nippert, and Gonzalez in AAA that could possibly make the 5th rotation spot if Vargas or Halsey fall apart.

Well, those are my thoughts on what questions the Diamondbacks must answer in the next off-season, and the parts of the roster that must be targeted. I do not ask the management to immediately put out a World Series winner next year, but I do think that puting out a team capable of being decent until our top prospects are ready is an attainable goal.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

First: Great thread topic
This is the type of discussion i like to have now that the season is over...they have finished playing right ?

In my mind the biggest needc of this team is pitiching. If we could get a delusional team to take Russ Ortiz (the probability goes up with each good start) that would help as well as let clayton (1yr deal) and counsell take back up roles. They would provide the vet leadership and could be had for cheap, as well as start in case on of the younger players growth starts to stunt. Estes, McCracken, and Stinnett should all be allowed to walk.

I want Luis Gonzalez (i think the teams option is after next season, right?) to platoon with Carlos Quentin. In center field i think we should make a play for soemone with good defensive range and can bat 7th in the order. A trade or signing of Mike Cameron or Eric Byrnes (two names mentioned in the off season) would be ideal, while keeping Luis Terrero batting every fourth game, so we can determine his ability by the end of next year and then make a decision. In right field I am happy with Shawn Green and i think he will have an even better year next year. I think he will be an ideal 6 hitter.

Infield: I, despite the protest of others, have faith in Troy Glaus and I think he will bounce back with a better year next year. This guy is never going to hit .320, but he has proven in his career that he is a clutch hitter and his hitting with runners in scoring position will improve. As will his defense as he gets healthier. I expect .280, 35-40 HR and 100 RBI next year those are good numbers for a 4 hitter. I want Stephen Drew at short and hitting second, with at bats going to Counsell as well. I think Drew has shown he is a monster hitter on any level and he could contend for ROY. Counsell could provide vet leadership and able defense.

Counsell and Alex Cintron could man 2nd duties and I think Alex has potential at the position. Its true he is big but after a full off season of practice, his limited range would not be as big a liability. First would hopefully be manned by Conor Jackson. Whomever emerges from spring as the starting 1st baseman (Tracy/Jackson) the other should be traded as both possess high trade value. Jackson esp. is highly thought of, and although i would rather we develop him on this team, he could bring back a major pitching prospect. Tracy will be solid for his career but i think CoJack can be special. Hopefully he can become that 3 hitter this team so desperatly needs. Catcher should be improved and im not totally opposed to Gambos suggestion of Piazza. A decision on Snyder or Hill has to be made before 07 as this is when we will likely make our move.

Pitching is where the majority of FA should be spent, should the team go out with a proactive plan. A young starter would be very nice. A guy like AJ Burnett could really prove to be strong with our rotation. If he could stay healthy and emerge as a number one, Webb, Halsey, Vargas, and possibly Ortiz/Gosling could fall back a spot in the rotation. Vasquez will liley try to exercize his right to a trade so that should bring back young pitiching as well since his value as an innings eater with good-great stuff is high. Then we need to lop payroll in the coming seasons and make a very big play for a young ace like Prior, Harden, or maybe an even more established pitcher with front line stuff. We will not be championship worthy. We also need to get a strong vet bullpen guy who can lead by both example and in the locker room.

The coaching staff is a different matter. I want Melvin fired but that seems unlikely. They should totally reshape the coaching staff. We need to get a trusted bench coach as well as name Todd Stottlemyre pitchigng coach. His pedigree for the position is good and he has a fiery temper that would go well with Silent Bob. Maybe Luis will take an offer to become hitting coach and we can give more at bats to Quentin ....

All trades should bring bring back young pitching and im not opposed to getting rid of anybody with a big contract. This team needs to draft pitching high for the forseeable future as we seem stocked everywhere else. Young players i would like to possibly moved for more vetran players are Hairston, Gosling, Terrero, Santos, and possibly Tracy (depending on Jacksons emergence). I feel our mix of vets and prospects to offer could help in a number of trade situations. so we could be player there this off-season

The new general manager will be the most important move. This man will shape our team fot the near future and will come in with a lot to work with. While I like Mike Rizzo alot, i cant help but feel someone more established (although not old like Pat Gillick) would be the right move. This hire is the first important move by Moorad, and it will go along way to having every one move on from JC if he made the right move. The only absolute truth is that this team needs to be shaken up....

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Ortiz is untradeable. Coming up with pipe dream scenarios about getting rid if his bloated contract is an exercise in futility as nobody in the major leagues (including the D-Backs) want him around at that cost or any cost for that matter. Thankfully the free agent class is pretty weak this year so unloading some vets might be easier than in year's past. Guys like Counsell, Gonzo, and Green should get sent packing although they all might be untradeable as well.

Clark and Glaus ain't going anywhere due to no-trade clause and Glaus' health issues so I'll pencil them in next year's roster although I want Glaus at 1B. Troy hasn't been healthy over a whole season since around 2001 so Clark should get plenty of ABs. I think Conor, Quentin, Tracy and Drew should get playing time everyday at LF, RF, 3B and SS. How Andy Green performs this September will determine whether he's the team's starting 2B in 2006. If we can dunp some contracts it wouldn't surprise me to see Jacque Jones playing CF next year being flanked by the two rooks. Although I think we do need a stopgap catcher, this Mike Piazza rumor has me irked as the guy can barely play anymore. They should just find a cost-effective platoon and go with it. The rotation does need to be upgraded although I'd go about it on the cheap. Take more flyers on guys such as Claudio Vargas considering it's only a $300000 if you're wrong. As far as the bullpne goes, I wouldn't make the big splash that others think we should do. Go out and get a couple moderatly priced vet bullpen guys like Jim Mecir or Rudy Seanez. They won't wow you with save numbes and strikeouts but they get the job done.

The biggest moves in the offseason though should be in the front office and the coaching staff. A GM with some sort of plan to win in the next few years while gettuing rid of bad contracts is a must. I've already put out my choice as David Forst of the A's as my pick. This team needs to be loaded when our young guys hit their primes and I'm not so rure that can happen with the curren leadership. Mark Davis should be fired so we can know whether it's him or player development as to why every guy in our bullpen seemingly throws in the mid-90s yet cannot get anyone out. Melvin should get canned as well but it's not going to happen but Angels bench coach Joe Maddon would be my choice.

 

[overseascardfan]

I believe that pitching is definately our first priority to upgrade. There is only one problem, pitcher's overprice themselves and very rarely are worth the money they get. Take a look at last year: Eric Milton, Carl Pavano, Derek Lowe, and Russ Ortiz were the biggest names but their teams likely aren't going to make the playoffs with maybe the exception of the Yankees. They all have had terrible years compared to last year.

There are SP's out there in free agency but they are going to be expensive and may not be worth their asking price. I say we trade for some pitching, there aren't any young guys that are going to be available for cheap.

Catching is something we should have addressed last year by signing A.J. Pryzinski (sp?) or Jason Varitek. Now I don't think there are going to be any catchers out there in free agency that will put us over the top next year.

I say that we find a way to put CJ, Tracy, Drew, and Quentin on the field permanently next year, even if it means getting rid of some veterans next year via trade or release. And we need to bring in a guy like Billy Beane at whatever the price.