Kendrick says trade is imminent ("Could Happen Today")

[moviebuff316]

Kendrick says trade is imminent
Cameron, Byrnes are top options

Bob McManaman
The Arizona Republic
Feb. 2, 2005 12:00 AM

Trade talks heated up Tuesday in the Diamondbacks' search to find a new starting center fielder and although the club still had multiple potential deals on the table, Ken Kendrick indicated a move could be made today.

"We will complete a transaction," Kendrick, one of the team's general partners, said Tuesday night. "We feel confident we're going to bring in a new center fielder to complete the team."

General Manager Joe Garagiola Jr. skipped his scheduled flight Tuesday morning to Mazatlan, Mexico, where he had planned to catch the Caribbean World Series with other team officials, so he could work the phones to try to bring a deal to fruition. advertisement




Garagiola entertained a series of phone calls early in the morning regarding various trade proposals and counteroffers and likely could cancel his trip to Mexico altogether if it means finalizing a deal that would bring either Eric Byrnes from the Oakland A's or Mike Cameron from the New York Mets to Arizona.

Although those two players have generated most of the trade talk surrounding the Diamondbacks' quest to find a replacement for Steve Finley, other options could be available. Kendrick said the team has been targeting up to six players. Colorado's Preston Wilson, who led the National League with 141 RBIs in 2003 but was limited to just 58 games last season due to a knee injury, is one of them.

Free-agent Jeromy Burnitz remains another candidate, although it's likely he will sign with either the Chicago Cubs or Pittsburgh Pirates. Earlier this winter, San Diego's Jay Payton was also drawing interest from the Diamondbacks, who aren't ready to give the everyday starting job in center to raw talent Luis Terrero. "We just think it's probably too much pressure to rely on Terrero," Kendrick said.

The Rockies and Mets apparently have talked about a possible swap involving Wilson, who is scheduled to make $12.5 million in 2005, and Cameron, who hit 30 home runs last season after signing a three-year, $19 million deal with New York.

Both players interest Arizona, but their salaries don't fit into the Diamondbacks' budget nearly as well as that of Byrnes, whose pay will top out at $2.5 million should he proceed to his arbitration hearing and win his case with the A's.

Although neither Kendrick nor Garagiola would discuss any trade specifics, it is known that the players most clubs generally ask about in connection with possible deals include starting pitcher Brandon Webb, new first baseman Chad Tracy and top prospects Conor Jackson, Carlos Quentin, Sergio Santos and Ramon Antonio Peña.


Jocketty talk


Kendrick took issue with a USA Today report suggesting the Diamondbacks are prepared to either fire or demote Garagiola so they could bring in St. Louis GM Walt Jocketty, whose contract with the Cardinals expired on Monday.

"That is definitely not accurate. Definitely not," Kendrick said, adding he has spoken with Jocketty this off-season at a baseball function, but is under the belief that Jocketty will remain in St. Louis.

"I'd like to work out something here (with the Cardinals), but nothing's been done yet," Jocketty said in the USA Today story. "Several clubs have expressed an interest. If nothing happens shortly, I'll have to look at that."


http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/0202dbacksnb0202.html

 

[The Commish]

To be honest I'm not sure what I want. I'm high on Mike Cameron and luke warm on Eric Byrnes, but would gladly either one. I however, like most of you, dont want to give up Quentin or Jackson - they have a lot of upside. Center field is an important position, so I know that we need to do something. Terrero will be good, but just not yet.

I think Preston Wilson is the most likely to happen because of his contract and that he wouldn't cost us much in terms of prospects. Not to mention I think the Mets would be stupid to trade Cameron after all the moves they've just made this offseason. Byrnes plays hard, but doesn't always make the right decisions in center field - mistakes that can be critical, especially for a mediocre pitching staff (face it guys, our SP won't be that good this year).

 

[BC867]

Terrero will be good, but just not yet.

As high as I was on Terrero before he took over CF (despite his flaky behavior in the Minors), I suspect that he will be one of those great potential/lotta trouble prospects throughout his Major League career.

For you old-timers, think of Richie (before he changed it to Dick) Allen and Kevin Mitchell. They could have been among the all-time greats if they had taken the game seriously, especially Allen.

Travis Lee is a more recent example. He could have been not an all-time great, but an outstanding 1B. By contrast, Mark Grace didn't have the overall talent, but played within his game, and reached his potential consistently.

Inner drive, and a sense of responsibility, is just as important as raw talent.

The best local example is Amare. He is driven to maximize his basketball skills throughout his career. It's fun to watch.

 

[Moose Lady]

As high as I was on Terrero before he took over CF (despite his flaky behavior in the Minors), I suspect that he will be one of those great potential/lotta trouble prospects throughout his Major League career.

For you old-timers, think of Richie (before he changed it to Dick) Allen and Kevin Mitchell. They could have been among the all-time greats if they had taken the game seriously, especially Allen.

Travis Lee is a more recent example. He could have been not an all-time great, but an outstanding 1B. By contrast, Mark Grace didn't have the overall talent, but played within his game, and reached his potential consistently.

Inner drive, and a sense of responsibility, is just as important as raw talent.

The best local example is Amare. He is driven to maximize his basketball skills throughout his career. It's fun to watch.

I think Terrero was doing very well at the end of last year, at least in covering CF. He has the speed and seemed to be running down alot of the balls hit there. Yeah, last year was his first playing the ML. Of course he's a raw talent, but no one will find out what else he has to offer unless they give him the time. They should not be judging him from just the 2 months he played last year.

 

[schillingfan]

Terrero will be good, but just not yet.

Terrero will be 25 this year. It's now or never. He is getting too old to be a maybe next year. If he doesn't take over the center field position now, his star will fall like a rock.