Extension for Tony Clark

[TucsonDevil]

Gambo and Ash just reported that the D-Backs have signed Tony to a 2-year extension. Details aren't known yet.

To me - it is a no-brainer!

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I'm not so sure about this considering Tony statistically appears as if he's in the midst of a fluke career year and Conor is going to be ready to take over full-time at 1B in 2006.

To me it looks like Tracy is going to be in a different uniform in 2006.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

One year to me would be a no-brainer. Two years is a bit...scary.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

One year to me would be a no-brainer. Two years is a bit...scary.

Exactly. Wait until the offseason and if he insists upon a two year deal you offer him arbitration and take a couple draft picks when he signs elsewhere. It appears offering multi-year contracts to one year wonders is a mistake the current regime seems to have adopted from the former front office.

 

[Lefty]

Tony knows his job he probably realizes his job will be as a pinch hitter and backup to Conor. He is a guy who knows his role and does not complain.

 

[AZZenny]

Oh, crap. Joe doesn't officially step down until Sunday, they said. Here's proof. This is SO JOE.

Career year = trend.
+ Good clubhouse guy + Hometown Discount + Switch Hitter + chronic mild injury + Veteran Leadership.... Hey, No brainer! 2 years! Be real interesting to see the money side.

I like Clark, don't get me wrong. He makes me smile, and I'm happy when he steps to the plate. (OK, not the last few games, since I'd rather see Conor.) But this is just more of the same short-sighted thought process we've had the last few years.

 

[Yuma]

Hey, look how many teams called regarding him. He's a good asset. Trade him for pitching if all our prospects come up and land starting jobs!

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Hey, look how many teams called regarding him. He's a good asset. Trade him for pitching if all our prospects come up and land starting jobs!

They're calling for him now when he's raking and a FA at the end of the season. They won't be calling on him next June when he's batting .240 and has one and a half years left on his contract at the age of 34.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Todd Walsh just said that the contract has been extended through 2006. ONE year, not two.

Edit: This says two though.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/08050806clark-ON.html

 

[Lefty]

This is a great signing. Tony is a class guy and a very good player. You won't hear anyone talk negative about him. This team needs more Tony Clarks.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Ok, it is definately for two years, and theres a no trade clause for the first year and a half. No word on how much it is worth yet.

http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com...t_id=1159089&vkey=news_ari&fext=.jsp&c_id=ari

 

[AZZenny]

He's a great guy. Let's collect a whole boatload of them - Qs and Clarks - bring back Colby, he was a great guy. So was Baerga. So will Gonzo be when they pick up his option for 2007. What the heck does that have to do with winning baseball games?

A no-trade component is sheer insanity. One year I could live with - but they give him two years based on freaky career numbers through 2/3rds of a season. He WILL return to Earth. Promise. This FO is wacko.

 

[KingLouieLouie]

I'm trying to figure out why most are lambasting the contract extension of Tony Clark...

]I'm not so sure about this considering Tony statistically appears as if he's in the midst of a fluke career year and Conor is going to be ready to take over full-time at 1B in 2006.

To me it looks like Tracy is going to be in a different uniform in 2006.

I would like to contest both those points... First... I dont know if you followed Clark's years in Detroit like I did, but he posted a few seasons of 30 HRs and 100 RBIs.... Unfortunately....his final cpl years of Detroit were ruined by playing in the park that was totally unsuited for offense (Comerica Park) and also by some lingering back problems that it appears that he's finally managed to overcome....

Does this also prevent either the development of Conor Jackson being an everyday 1B next season or signal the end of Chad Tracy in a Dbacks uniform beyond next season? Absolutely not.... Clark is an excellent contigency plan if for some odd reason Jackson doesnt prove himself capable during
'06 Spring Training to take on that role and I clearly envision Tracy being the pre '05 Counsell or the role that the Dbacks had intended to use Hammock in... which is an every-day utility player..that we would see him play OF, 3B, 1B, and perhaps he'll learn another position to increase his value to the team.....

Also.. what other 1B prospects do they have who is near ML ready besides
Jackson? Please dont say Andy Green who is pretty much a AAAA calibre player at best..... This is a good stopgap for either when Jackson does prove his worth/keep or also when the other alternate plans are available......

It's a cheap signing...a bargain of someone who also accepts his role on the team regardless if he's playing every day or not.... Not if as though there's a salary cap issue that the Dbacks have to contend with or that it was some drastic amount that Clark signed for.... His veteran leadership and the fact that he's a switch-hitter makes him very valuable.... He might be one of those players that also will improve with age (since it seems that he is injury-free) and is a low risk move that will pay off.... Not like they signed him for a $10 mil contract which I understand that the FO has a budget, but it appears more evident that they're willing to up the ante over a $65 mil payroll....

He's a great guy. Let's collect a whole boatload of them - Qs and Clarks - bring back Colby, he was a great guy. So was Baerga. So will Gonzo be when they pick up his option for 2007. What the heck does that have to do with winning baseball games?

What? Did Colbrunn ever produce the #s that Clark did during his career or despite some of Clark's injury was he injured to the extent that Baerga was before the Dbacks signed him? No..... In fact... Clark has been one of the most consistant hitters this year for the Dbacks (especially in LIPS), however, you probably subscribe to the theory as well that he will be blocking Jackson's
path or limit Tracy's role, which he wont whatsoever......

It's a bargain price for 2-years for a player who's reverted back to his former self which was an All-Star player who at one time was producing at an MVP calibre level.... Not like someone who is marginal at best or has struggled all throughout his career...So..it is definitely worthwhile... Better than having absolutely nothing for 2-years until someone like Jackson proves he's ready or until we must wait for someone else.....

 

[Lefty]

He's a great guy. Let's collect a whole boatload of them - Qs and Clarks - bring back Colby, he was a great guy. So was Baerga. So will Gonzo be when they pick up his option for 2007. What the heck does that have to do with winning baseball games?

A no-trade component is sheer insanity. One year I could live with - but they give him two years based on freaky career numbers through 2/3rds of a season. He WILL return to Earth. Promise. This FO is wacko.

You're an idiot if you think Tony is in the same category as Baerga and Q. Funny how you had no problem with Tony playing until Conor was called up.

Clark is not going to be the starting first baseman for the Diamondbacks next year. Every team needs a good bench guy and Tony is one of the best. He is a switch hitter who knows his role and he will not complain. He will also be able to teach the young guys like Conor.

From stories I heard, Baerga was not a good guy to have off the field. I read where he was seen many times at the clubs with guys like Cintron.

For this year, Clark will help the team more at first than Conor. Next year will be a different story. You can bet the first base position next year is Conor's to lose.

 

[Lefty]

I'm trying to figure out why most are lambasting the contract extension of Tony Clark...



I would like to contest both those points... First... I dont know if you followed Clark's years in Detroit like I did, but he posted a few seasons of 30 HRs and 100 RBIs.... Unfortunately....his final cpl years of Detroit were ruined by playing in the park that was totally unsuited for offense (Comerica Park) and also by some lingering back problems that it appears that he's finally managed to overcome....

Does this also prevent either the development of Conor Jackson being an everyday 1B next season or signal the end of Chad Tracy in a Dbacks uniform beyond next season? Absolutely not.... Clark is an excellent contigency plan if for some odd reason Jackson doesnt prove himself capable during
'06 Spring Training to take on that role and I clearly envision Tracy being the pre '05 Counsell or the role that the Dbacks had intended to use Hammock in... which is an every-day utility player..that we would see him play OF, 3B, 1B, and perhaps he'll learn another position to increase his value to the team.....

Also.. what other 1B prospects do they have who is near ML ready besides
Jackson? Please dont say Andy Green who is pretty much a AAAA calibre player at best..... This is a good stopgap for either when Jackson does prove his worth/keep or also when the other alternate plans are available......

It's a cheap signing...a bargain of someone who also accepts his role on the team regardless if he's playing every day or not.... Not if as though there's a salary cap issue that the Dbacks have to contend with or that it was some drastic amount that Clark signed for.... His veteran leadership and the fact that he's a switch-hitter makes him very valuable.... He might be one of those players that also will improve with age (since it seems that he is injury-free) and is a low risk move that will pay off.... Not like they signed him for a $10 mil contract which I understand that the FO has a budget, but it appears more evident that they're willing to up the ante over a $65 mil payroll....



What? Did Colbrunn ever produce the #s that Clark did during his career or despite some of Clark's injury was he injured to the extent that Baerga was before the Dbacks signed him? No..... In fact... Clark has been one of the most consistant hitters this year for the Dbacks (especially in LIPS), however, you probably subscribe to the theory as well that he will be blocking Jackson's
path or limit Tracy's role, which he wont whatsoever......

It's a bargain price for 2-years for a player who's reverted back to his former self which was an All-Star player who at one time was producing at an MVP calibre level.... Not like someone who is marginal at best or has struggled all throughout his career...So..it is definitely worthwhile... Better than having absolutely nothing for 2-years until someone like Jackson proves he's ready or until we must wait for someone else.....

Agree 100%. I wrote my post the same time you did.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

He's a great guy. Let's collect a whole boatload of them - Qs and Clarks - bring back Colby, he was a great guy. So was Baerga. So will Gonzo be when they pick up his option for 2007. What the heck does that have to do with winning baseball games?

A no-trade component is sheer insanity. One year I could live with - but they give him two years based on freaky career numbers through 2/3rds of a season. He WILL return to Earth. Promise. This FO is wacko.

I dont think 2 yrs 2M is a very big risk zenny. Clark could tear his ACL tommorow and it would still be worth it, because of the money given and his leadership quality. Any production over the next two years is gravy....

Now if Melvin decides to play a 240 avg. Tony Clark next season rather then giving the lion share of the AB's to Jackson, I will be pissed

 

[AZZenny]

You guys seem to think I'm down on Clark - not the case, but I am being hardnosed - and somewhat skeptical - about his abilities and age.

I am being down on the people in the FO who agreed to this contract.

I have nothing against Clark. I realize he will be bench, and I think its fine that he could be a mentor to Conor. (That assumes Melvin will ever feel comfortable giving rookies a legitimate shot, which I question, and for that I do not blame Clark. Heck, I'd take him as Manager right now.) I would have been fine - happy - with a one-year, trade-able extension at around 1 Mil.

But to me, the length of the contract and the no-trade suggests they are being unrealistic about his likely future, just as I felt they were about keeping on Q, Baerga, and Colby past their time because they were good guys (which WAS how they described Baerga, although I heard the same things you did) -- and as they will with Gonzo, which was my point there. They make a lot of decisions that appear based as much or more on sentiment and fan-pandering as on baseball sense, and I was really hoping for a shift from that philosophy. Clark will not be irreplaceable and to hogtie yourself by giving out 2-year contracts with no-trade clauses - when more and more teams simply refuse to limit themselves in that way - seems foolish.

And Zona, I often disagree with your opinions and thought-process, but I don't recall insulting you or calling you names, tempting though it may be.

 

[KingLouieLouie]

You guys seem to think I'm down on Clark - not the case, but I am being hardnosed - and somewhat skeptical - about his abilities and age.

I am being down on the people in the FO who agreed to this contract.

I have nothing against Clark. I realize he will be bench, and I think its fine that he could be a mentor to Conor. (That assumes Melvin will ever feel comfortable giving rookies a legitimate shot, which I question, and for that I do not blame Clark. Heck, I'd take him as Manager right now.) I would have been fine - happy - with a one-year, trade-able extension at around 1 Mil.

But to me, the length of the contract and the no-trade suggests they are being unrealistic about his likely future, just as I felt they were about keeping on Q, Baerga, and Colby past their time because they were good guys (which WAS how they described Baerga, although I heard the same things you did) -- and as they will with Gonzo, which was my point there. They make a lot of decisions that appear based as much or more on sentiment and fan-pandering as on baseball sense, and I was really hoping for a shift from that philosophy. Clark will not be irreplaceable and to hogtie yourself by giving out 2-year contracts with no-trade clauses - when more and more teams simply refuse to limit themselves in that way - seems foolish.

And Zona, I often disagree with your opinions and thought-process, but I don't recall insulting you or calling you names, tempting though it may be.

I think where I beg to differ with you is that Tony Clark appears to have discovered the Fountain of Youth since joining the Dbacks and also playing for where he's made his home for several years has benefited him immensely... I just dont see him at the down-slope of his career whereas the others you mentioned were either on the decline..or werent ever the contributor that Clark had/has been... to the contrary he's on the upswing yet again and to lock him up now was wise opposed to the other alternatives.... Also.. he wouldnt have much long-term trade value any-ways... I bet he would have retired if was traded elsewhere (before his trade-clause was implemented) because he loves being at home in AZ.....

I'll go on record now to say that I honestly dont like how Melvin is handling his younger players..I've always deemed him as a Bob Brenly clone and he's living-up to that with how he's seldom used Jackson, but yet will insist on destroying Cormier's young arm on a nightly basis, but I'll save that for another thread on another day....

You're an idiot if you think Tony is in the same category as Baerga and Q. Funny how you had no problem with Tony playing until Conor was called up.

I don't know if you were suggesting the comments that AZZenny typed as being "idiotic" or you were directly referring to her as an idiot...Either way.. please refrain from any name-calling.... I love how both you and AZZenny are extremely passionate and astute about the Dbacks (similar to myself and several who post/lurk on this forum) and we're all entitled to our opinions (regardless whether or not we happen to agree..disagree..whatever), but no sense in resorting to any personal attacks (in any form).......

 

[Lefty]

You guys seem to think I'm down on Clark - not the case, but I am being hardnosed - and somewhat skeptical - about his abilities and age.

And Zona, I often disagree with your opinions and thought-process, but I don't recall insulting you or calling you names, tempting though it may be.

Skeptical about his abilities and age? The guy just turned 33 and is known for his power, something this team is lacking. Also, with him being a switch hitter, that is a big plus because he is mainly used as a pinch hitter.

Maybe I should not of used idiot but we all know Conor is going to be a great player, but to expect him to be playing every day is ludicrous. Tony is a veteran and has proven this year that he should be playing. Maybe not every day, but he should be playing. I'm sure Conor is aware of that and he will do just find when he finds himself starting in certain games.

If the team was like ten games out then I would have no problem with Conor starting all the games. He will get his chance next year and Tony knows that also. Hell, I'm not a big Counsell fan but I think he should be playing every day because he is a better option than Andy Green. Like I said with Conor, if the Diamondbacks were not in contention I would like to see guys like Conor, Carlos and maybe even Drew play every day in September. Who knows, if the D'Backs have a horrendous August, we could be seeing that transition to the younger guys earlier than expected?