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Byrnes to join D-Backs
Dec 29 - Eric Byrnes has agreed to what is believed to be a one-year, $2.2 million deal with the Diamondbacks, The Arizona Republic reports. He will undergo a physical Thursday in Phoenix. Byrnes is expected to play center field while prospect Chris Young continues to develop.
-ALSO-
E. Byrnes agrees to deal
Nick Piecoro
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 29, 2005 12:00 AM
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The Diamondbacks came closer to filling their center field vacancy as they closed in Wednesday on free agent Eric Byrnes.
Byrnes, who agreed to what is believed to be a one-year deal worth about $2.2 million, will undergo a physical examination today in Phoenix.
Byrnes, whom the Diamondbacks tried to acquire from Oakland last off-season, gives them a speedy, high-energy player who can man the center field position as prospect Chris Young continues to develop. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The 29-year-old became a free agent last week when Baltimore did not offer him a contract, the end result of a poor second half of the 2005 season.
Byrnes began the year surrounded by trade rumors in Oakland, where he played well before being dealt to Colorado.
But it was downhill from there. Byrnes hit only .189 (10 for 53) before he was shipped to Baltimore, where he hit .192 in 167 at-bats.
In 2004, Byrnes hit .283 with 20 home runs and 17 steals in 18 attempts.
Assuming he passes his physical, Byrnes' acquisition, along with that of second baseman Orlando Hudson from Toronto, should boost the Diamondbacks' athleticism and energy level.
The Diamondbacks tried to work out a trade with the A's before last season, but ultimately settled for a deal with Tampa Bay for Jose Cruz Jr.
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Mr. Popular
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]While some of his old teammates aren't pleased to see him go, Hudson said Wednesday that he's happy to be the Diamondbacks second baseman.
Hudson was a clubhouse favorite in Toronto, and several former teammates have been voicing their disappointment over losing him. Center fielder Vernon Wells called the trade "bittersweet."
"Troy (Glaus) will definitely help our team," Wells told the Toronto Sun. "But Orlando's a person that everybody who knew him loved playing with."
Hudson said he had heard his name repeatedly in trade rumors over the past few years, and heard about a possible trade to Arizona a few weeks ago.
"I enjoyed it out here when I played in the Arizona Fall League (in 2001)," Hudson said. "It was a blast then, so I'm happy to be here."
Hudson was asked about where he might fit in the Diamondbacks' batting order.
"You know what, this is the major leagues. I can hit 13th if they put me there," he said. "As long as you're in a major league lineup, your dream has come true."
As for his left ankle, which he sprained while sliding into home plate Sept. 7, forcing him to miss the remainder of the season, Hudson says he's progressing.
"I'm still doing therapy on that, but everything is good, though," he said. "It's coming along real well."
[/FONT]
Added perks
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The Blue Jays seemed to make the decision to go to Toronto pretty easy for Glaus, who had no-trade protection to Toronto but opted to waive it to complete the trade.
The Blue Jays not only agreed to give him a full no-trade clause for the balance of the deal, they also gave him a player option for 2009, reportedly at $11.25 million.
And because Glaus' contract included a clause that pays him an additional $250,000 per year to cover his wife Ann's equestrian expenses, the Blue Jays even agreed to increase that expense allotment.
"From where he sits - he's 29 years old - he would like to be a part of something great," said Mike Nicotera, Glaus' agent. "And going forward, I think from the roster and personnel standpoint, I don't think there's any question he thinks they can win a World Series in Toronto."
Glaus also will receive a payment between $800,000 and $900,000 from the Diamondbacks in 2008 to balance out what he'll lose in taxes going to Canada.[/FONT]
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I like this signing. Byrnes did a great job getting a quality CF stopgap for one year. If he plays good, give him an extension which buys Young some more time (if needed). I don't know much about Byrnes other than the clips we see of him on Web Gems. He seems like a very aggressive player who gets everything out of his ablility. I'm not sure about his defense- I've seen scouting reports saying his arm is average and he has decent speed in CF but can be overaggressive. You think he could be a leadoff guy as well??? It could have possibility. The pieces are coming together, now we need to turn our attention to getting 1 or 2 low cost/high value pitchers. AND SIGN UPTON!
Dec 29 - Eric Byrnes has agreed to what is believed to be a one-year, $2.2 million deal with the Diamondbacks, The Arizona Republic reports. He will undergo a physical Thursday in Phoenix. Byrnes is expected to play center field while prospect Chris Young continues to develop.
-ALSO-
E. Byrnes agrees to deal
Nick Piecoro
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 29, 2005 12:00 AM
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The Diamondbacks came closer to filling their center field vacancy as they closed in Wednesday on free agent Eric Byrnes.
Byrnes, who agreed to what is believed to be a one-year deal worth about $2.2 million, will undergo a physical examination today in Phoenix.
Byrnes, whom the Diamondbacks tried to acquire from Oakland last off-season, gives them a speedy, high-energy player who can man the center field position as prospect Chris Young continues to develop. [/FONT]
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The 29-year-old became a free agent last week when Baltimore did not offer him a contract, the end result of a poor second half of the 2005 season.
Byrnes began the year surrounded by trade rumors in Oakland, where he played well before being dealt to Colorado.
But it was downhill from there. Byrnes hit only .189 (10 for 53) before he was shipped to Baltimore, where he hit .192 in 167 at-bats.
In 2004, Byrnes hit .283 with 20 home runs and 17 steals in 18 attempts.
Assuming he passes his physical, Byrnes' acquisition, along with that of second baseman Orlando Hudson from Toronto, should boost the Diamondbacks' athleticism and energy level.
The Diamondbacks tried to work out a trade with the A's before last season, but ultimately settled for a deal with Tampa Bay for Jose Cruz Jr.
[/FONT]
Mr. Popular
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]While some of his old teammates aren't pleased to see him go, Hudson said Wednesday that he's happy to be the Diamondbacks second baseman.
Hudson was a clubhouse favorite in Toronto, and several former teammates have been voicing their disappointment over losing him. Center fielder Vernon Wells called the trade "bittersweet."
"Troy (Glaus) will definitely help our team," Wells told the Toronto Sun. "But Orlando's a person that everybody who knew him loved playing with."
Hudson said he had heard his name repeatedly in trade rumors over the past few years, and heard about a possible trade to Arizona a few weeks ago.
"I enjoyed it out here when I played in the Arizona Fall League (in 2001)," Hudson said. "It was a blast then, so I'm happy to be here."
Hudson was asked about where he might fit in the Diamondbacks' batting order.
"You know what, this is the major leagues. I can hit 13th if they put me there," he said. "As long as you're in a major league lineup, your dream has come true."
As for his left ankle, which he sprained while sliding into home plate Sept. 7, forcing him to miss the remainder of the season, Hudson says he's progressing.
"I'm still doing therapy on that, but everything is good, though," he said. "It's coming along real well."
[/FONT]
Added perks
[FONT=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]The Blue Jays seemed to make the decision to go to Toronto pretty easy for Glaus, who had no-trade protection to Toronto but opted to waive it to complete the trade.
The Blue Jays not only agreed to give him a full no-trade clause for the balance of the deal, they also gave him a player option for 2009, reportedly at $11.25 million.
And because Glaus' contract included a clause that pays him an additional $250,000 per year to cover his wife Ann's equestrian expenses, the Blue Jays even agreed to increase that expense allotment.
"From where he sits - he's 29 years old - he would like to be a part of something great," said Mike Nicotera, Glaus' agent. "And going forward, I think from the roster and personnel standpoint, I don't think there's any question he thinks they can win a World Series in Toronto."
Glaus also will receive a payment between $800,000 and $900,000 from the Diamondbacks in 2008 to balance out what he'll lose in taxes going to Canada.[/FONT]
if(ScriptsLoaded) stInit();
I like this signing. Byrnes did a great job getting a quality CF stopgap for one year. If he plays good, give him an extension which buys Young some more time (if needed). I don't know much about Byrnes other than the clips we see of him on Web Gems. He seems like a very aggressive player who gets everything out of his ablility. I'm not sure about his defense- I've seen scouting reports saying his arm is average and he has decent speed in CF but can be overaggressive. You think he could be a leadoff guy as well??? It could have possibility. The pieces are coming together, now we need to turn our attention to getting 1 or 2 low cost/high value pitchers. AND SIGN UPTON!
! Cintron will never have a year like Counsell did last year- and it was average. Plus, why would anyone want brickhands Cintron to play SS everyday?????
