Diamondback Jay
Psalms 23:1
Will the D-Backs try and get Billy Wagner as their closer for next year or will they leave the job to Papa Grande (Jose Valverde) and search for other players for the bullpen?
-- T.J., Tempe, Ariz.
I don't see the Diamondbacks going after Billy Wagner. It seems more than likely he'll re-sign in Philadelphia and will get a lot of money to do so. Bob Melvin talked at the end of the year about Valverde being his closer in 2006 and unless new GM Josh Byrnes has other thoughts, I think that's what you'll see come Opening Day.
Do you think the bullpen problems of the last few years will be corrected by Bryan Price or will there be a clear-out and a rebuild?
-- Dave P., Cardiff, UK
First off Dave, it's great to know that you're keeping up on the D-Backs from all the way across the Atlantic. To answer your question, I don't think that the club feels that the addition of Price will solve the bullpen problems. I think they know that they simply need better pitchers and not just a different pitching coach. One of the things that general partner Jeff Moorad said at the end of the season is that the team was committed to having as much of a "bulletproof" bullpen as possible in 2006. While I think you'll still see Valverde as the closer and some of the younger arms the team likes there next year, the team will also try to supplement that with some quality veteran arms such as a Tim Worrell, who pitched very well for them down the stretch.
I would like to ask, are there any big names or decent names the D-Backs could go after in a trade or free agency? Manny Ramirez would be great. And Stephen Drew should start on Opening Day. And lastly, I'm really looking forward to seeing Justin Upton, who they say is the next A-Rod or Griffey. When will he be up and at what position?
-- Dan R., Scottsdale, Ariz.
First things first Dan, they've got to get Justin Upton signed before we can know how long it will take him to reach the Majors and at what position. There hasn't been much going on with those negotiations and they may not heat up for a little while yet. As for his position, the Diamondbacks viewed him as a shortstop when they drafted him. Some scouts, though, have said he has the skills to play center field. Only time will tell.
I wouldn't count on seeing Manny Ramirez in a D-Backs uniform for reasons I outlined in last week's mailbag. And as for free agents, maybe someone like catcher Ramon Hernandez might make sense, but unless Arizona unloads one of its high-dollar contracts (Russ Ortiz, Troy Glaus, Luis Gonzalez), I don't think you'll see them pursue what you might think is a big-name free agent. The market is pretty thin this year and there a bunch of teams with money to spend and that will only drive the salaries higher.
The mediocre year and disappointment at season's finale appears to be the work of Bob Melvin. Shouldn't the D-Backs start looking for new manager?
-- Howard B., Window Rock, Ariz.
The Diamondbacks had a mediocre year last year because they didn't hit well in the clutch, weren't balanced on offense and pitched very poorly in relief. It wasn't because of Melvin, who did an excellent job communicating. I think it was telling that the team played well down the stretch because it showed they had not quit on their manager, which they easily could have done.
-- T.J., Tempe, Ariz.
I don't see the Diamondbacks going after Billy Wagner. It seems more than likely he'll re-sign in Philadelphia and will get a lot of money to do so. Bob Melvin talked at the end of the year about Valverde being his closer in 2006 and unless new GM Josh Byrnes has other thoughts, I think that's what you'll see come Opening Day.
Do you think the bullpen problems of the last few years will be corrected by Bryan Price or will there be a clear-out and a rebuild?
-- Dave P., Cardiff, UK
First off Dave, it's great to know that you're keeping up on the D-Backs from all the way across the Atlantic. To answer your question, I don't think that the club feels that the addition of Price will solve the bullpen problems. I think they know that they simply need better pitchers and not just a different pitching coach. One of the things that general partner Jeff Moorad said at the end of the season is that the team was committed to having as much of a "bulletproof" bullpen as possible in 2006. While I think you'll still see Valverde as the closer and some of the younger arms the team likes there next year, the team will also try to supplement that with some quality veteran arms such as a Tim Worrell, who pitched very well for them down the stretch.
I would like to ask, are there any big names or decent names the D-Backs could go after in a trade or free agency? Manny Ramirez would be great. And Stephen Drew should start on Opening Day. And lastly, I'm really looking forward to seeing Justin Upton, who they say is the next A-Rod or Griffey. When will he be up and at what position?
-- Dan R., Scottsdale, Ariz.
First things first Dan, they've got to get Justin Upton signed before we can know how long it will take him to reach the Majors and at what position. There hasn't been much going on with those negotiations and they may not heat up for a little while yet. As for his position, the Diamondbacks viewed him as a shortstop when they drafted him. Some scouts, though, have said he has the skills to play center field. Only time will tell.
I wouldn't count on seeing Manny Ramirez in a D-Backs uniform for reasons I outlined in last week's mailbag. And as for free agents, maybe someone like catcher Ramon Hernandez might make sense, but unless Arizona unloads one of its high-dollar contracts (Russ Ortiz, Troy Glaus, Luis Gonzalez), I don't think you'll see them pursue what you might think is a big-name free agent. The market is pretty thin this year and there a bunch of teams with money to spend and that will only drive the salaries higher.
The mediocre year and disappointment at season's finale appears to be the work of Bob Melvin. Shouldn't the D-Backs start looking for new manager?
-- Howard B., Window Rock, Ariz.
The Diamondbacks had a mediocre year last year because they didn't hit well in the clutch, weren't balanced on offense and pitched very poorly in relief. It wasn't because of Melvin, who did an excellent job communicating. I think it was telling that the team played well down the stretch because it showed they had not quit on their manager, which they easily could have done.
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