Offseason News & Rumors

[Lefty]

Scroll to the bottom of this article. If Gonzo stays in the NL he won't have nearly the at-bats that he would have if he played in the AL. I doubt Gonzo will even come close to the year he had this year because Chase Field is a hitters park and LA and San Fran are not as hitter friendly.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6149242

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

From the article this seems to be more author speculation, but fun to read anyways...

Miguel Montero and Chris Young to the Marlins; Dontrelle Willis to the Diamondbacks
The Mets want Willis, but it would take something close to overwhelming to pry him from Florida, and overwhelming has to start with a high-end catching prospect and center field prospect who are major league ready. That describes Montero and Young. The Marlins would have to believe Montero's catching skills continue to evolve to match his already superb hitting. This would be difficult for the D'backs because they love Young (they would prefer to move Justin Upton) and there have been indications they would deal starting catcher Johnny Estrada this offseason to make room for Montero. The Dodgers, with their elite farm system, could be players, as well, but their GM, Ned Colletti, is familiar with free agent Jason Schmidt from San Francisco, and L.A. also will be players for Zito.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/11052006/sports/tricks_trade_sports_joel_sherman.htm?page=0

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

It appears that the Diamondbacks have put in a bid for Daisuke Matsuzaka. In other news, the Dbacks are not likely to re-sign Batista.

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=78519

 

[Lefty]

It appears that the Diamondbacks have put in a bid for Daisuke Matsuzaka. In other news, the Dbacks are not likely to re-sign Batista.

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=78519

Big mistake if they don't re-sign Batista. I also doubt the D'Backs can compete with the Yankees, Red Sox and Mets for Matsuzaka.

 

[The Commish]

This would be difficult for the D'backs because they love Young (they would prefer to move Justin Upton) and there have been indications they would deal starting catcher Johnny Estrada this offseason to make room for Montero.

WTF is this guy saying we would rather move Upton? Did I miss something? I know the kid had an average go around in his first year in A-ball, but c'mon. This guy lost all credibility with me.

 

[Fishfan79]

Redstripe it is the NY Post, he should of had credibility to start with honestly.

I dont think the marlins would trade willis for montero and young. Just as I dont think Arizona would trade Upton and Montero for Willis.

The NY post is only good for something if you have run out of toilet paper.



I expect to see 500 willis to Arizona, LAD, NY Mets, etc etc etc offers by the end of FA.

 

[Sunshooter]

Big mistake if they don't re-sign Batista. I also doubt the D'Backs can compete with the Yankees, Red Sox and Mets for Matsuzaka.

Seattle paid a transfer fee of $13,125,000 for Ichiro Suzuki in 2000...

Matsuzaka's bid must be higher, or 2 times of Ichiro's bid, according to Japanese sporting news

 

[devilfan02]

It appears that the Diamondbacks have put in a bid for Daisuke Matsuzaka. In other news, the Dbacks are not likely to re-sign Batista.

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=78519

I wasn't expecting this at all. It seems like a huge pain in the rear to do a deal like this, especially with so many other good/proven MLB arms on the FA market. The transfer fee will be around $20 million and then they have to negotiate a contract with his agent, Scott Boras. They must have a good biz relationship with Boras because they sure don't mind dealing with him

 

[Ryanwb]

JD Drew opted out of his contract and is now a free agent

 

[devilfan02]

JD Drew opted out of his contract and is now a free agent

WWWWWHHHHHHAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTT??????????????

He was due an INSANE amount of money by the Dodgers if he stayed there and played out his contract. I'll have to look it up again but this is a stupid financial move for JD. He must really hate LA or doesn't care that much about the money. Wow, very wierd to say the least.

Now that he's a free agent, please stay away from him Mr. Byrnes. He's a younger Shawn Green

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Expect the D-backs to kick the tires on a guy like Jason Schmidt, and make a push for Mark Mulder, if they can sign the injured lefty to an incentive-laden deal. Given their research into the subject, though, they are weary of players that would require big dollars for a lot of years.
"Really, over the last 10 to 15 years, there have been a lot of misses when it comes to free agents," Byrnes said. "Sometimes the risk of giving a guy a big, lucrative contract for what he used to be can sink a franchise."
So Arizona's biggest efforts will likely come in the trade market, where the club could acquire a player still on the upswing before he reaches free agency. With a booming farm system, expect the D-backs to call the Indians about Jake Westbrook, the Marlins about Dontrelle Willis and the White Sox and Tigers, who both seem to have starting pitching to spare.

http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com...t_id=1735200&vkey=news_ari&fext=.jsp&c_id=ari

 

[Diamondback Jay]

From the article this seems to be more author speculation, but fun to read anyways...

http://www.nypost.com/seven/11052006/sports/tricks_trade_sports_joel_sherman.htm?page=0

More horsecrap dribble by the New York media.. Big surprise.

The line about Arizona preferring to trade Upton is pure horseshit if I've ever read it. This clown has no damned clue.

Also, am I the only guy on this board who DOESN'T want Arizona to go after Schmidt?

 

[Stan C]

no your not the only guy, UNLESS he's willing to only take a 2 year contract, which I highly doubt.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Free-agent fodder

Byrnes reiterated the team's desire to add a top-end pitcher to the starting rotation, and that will be among his priorities as he gets ready to attend baseball's GM meetings this weekend.

Potential free agents the team is considering making offers to include Jason Schmidt of the Giants, Jake Westbrook of the Indians, and Cardinals left-hander Mark Mulder, who underwent season-ending surgery to repair a rotator cuff in his pitching shoulder.

Byrnes said Arizona might have better luck securing a No. 2 starter to accompany ace Brandon Webb by investigating potential trades. He said he has spoke with virtually every club about possible deals, namely to acquire pitching help.

"Either way, it's going to be difficult and expensive to get pitching," Byrnes said, "but we need to keep both markets available to us. (Pitching) is something everyone wants and not many teams that have it want to give it up."

Byrnes said the Diamondbacks have contacted the representatives for Houston free agent pitchers Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte, but it is believed Clemens will sign elsewhere if he decides to pitch in 2007. Pettitte might be a reach, but the Diamondbacks will have around $10 million to spend on pitching help.

Matsuzaka bids

The Diamondbacks were among the major league clubs to make a sealed bid to the Pacific League's Seibu Lions for the chance to earn exclusive negotiating rights with star Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka.

All bids had to be submitted by Wednesday. The Lions will determine soon, perhaps by today, on whether to accept the highest bid or keep Matsuzaka for another year. Although Arizona officially entered the sweepstakes, it probably was out-bid by other clubs, including the Yankees, Mets and Red Sox. The Cubs and Rangers reportedly also made bids.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/1110dbnotes1110.html

 

[devilfan02]

Call me crazy but I'd like to see Schmidt here next year. I can understand why some wouldn't want him (age + injury issues) but he is a dominant pitcher who has at leas3 years of great pitching left. He absolutely owns the Dbacks which also might be another reason why I'm intrigued by him. Zito and the japanese pitcher will be too expensive, Petitte is a reach and is on the decline, Westbrook is not that good and not worth one of our elite prospects, and Dontrelle Willis will cost us 2 elite prospects. Schmidt will be expensive but I think he's worth the risk (at least less risky then trading away Montero and another top prospect). Mulder is starting to garner a lot of attention which will push his price up. We have to hope he'll take a bit of a hometown discount (or incentive laiden deal) for him to sign. He's a risky signing if he's the only pitcher we are going to sign.

Looks like the White Sox are looking to deal Brandon McCarthy or Freddie Garcia. McCarthy would be a better option but will cost us some prospects

 

[Espo]

With Keith Foulke Declining his players option with the Red Sox to play closer to his Arizona home could he possibly be on the Dbacks radar? I think he would be a solid bullpen addition at the right price. Especially with the uncertainty about Jose Valverde as the closer. Foulke would add a guy with big time closer experience.

 

[devilfan02]

I read the same thing about Foulke wanting to be closer to AZ. If he's healthy, take a good look at him. If his asking price gets too crazy then back off. The only problem I have with him is he's never truly been successful anywhere he's gone. At the least he could be a quality set-up guy

 

[Espo]

I read the same thing about Foulke wanting to be closer to AZ. If he's healthy, take a good look at him. If his asking price gets too crazy then back off. The only problem I have with him is he's never truly been successful anywhere he's gone. At the least he could be a quality set-up guy

I just don't trust Valverde as the closer and if its not him there really isn't anyone else on the roster currently who could take care of it. I think that Keith Foulke for the right price would be a great safety plan.

 

[devilfan02]

I just don't trust Valverde as the closer and if its not him there really isn't anyone else on the roster currently who could take care of it. I think that Keith Foulke for the right price would be a great safety plan.

We need to sign Eric Gagne and have him take roids again all offseason. Perfect safety plan.

I'd be fine with Foulke signing here. Valverde either refuses to learn new pitches or the Dback organization is not developing him. You can only get so far with a 99 mph fastball and Valverde is proving that. He needs to learn dependable strikeout pitch- changeup, slurve, slider...... Whatever, just learn a new pitch. I can't believe the Dbacks have not worked with him on that, it's extremely disapointing

 

[Espo]

We need to sign Eric Gagne and have him take roids again all offseason. Perfect safety plan.

I'd be fine with Foulke signing here. Valverde either refuses to learn new pitches or the Dback organization is not developing him. You can only get so far with a 99 mph fastball and Valverde is proving that. He needs to learn dependable strikeout pitch- changeup, slurve, slider...... Whatever, just learn a new pitch. I can't believe the Dbacks have not worked with him on that, it's extremely disapointing

Hey if we are going to sign Gagne and let him do the roids lets bring in Kerry Wood and load him up with some too. Could be a hell of a bullpen jk.
I understand the point about Valverde but I think it's as much mental as it is pitches with him. He doesn't seem to have the strong mental makeup you want your closer to posses.

 

[devilfan02]

I see what your saying. Either way, the staff needs to work with him because he's def not progressing. If he were to learn a new pitch he would def be more successful. With success comes confidence. It seems to me that they just let him do his thing- get so pumped up that he can't throw strikes, throw as hard as he can, and throw as many fastballs as he wants. I may be wrong, he might not embrace whoever may be helping him. Either way, something needs to be done at the closer position. Foulke at a reasonable price is worth a look

 

[devilfan02]

Tigers deal three pitchers to Yankees for Sheffield



Detroit has acquired Gary Sheffield from the New York Yankees for three right-handed pitching prospects, the Tigers announced Friday.

In return for Sheffield, the Tigers sent Humberto Sanchez, Kevin Whelan and Anthony Claggett to New York. Detroit agreed to a two-year contract extension with Sheffield through the 2009 season.
The moves comes days after Sheffield blasted Yankees management and said Bobby Abreu, the player who took Sheffield's place in New York's outfield, isn't as good a player as he is. The Yankees exercised their $13 million option on Sheffield last weekend, preventing him from becoming a free agent, and asked him for a list of teams to which he'd like a trade.

"Everybody knows when I go to another team, I'm coming back looking for you. That's just the way it is," he said earlier this week. "When you let me go, I've got a chip on my shoulder, and I'm coming with it. That's how I play the game."

He'll have the chance to prove it again by moving across the AL to the Tigers, who stunned the Yankees in the playoffs on the way to the World Series.
Sheffield, a 19-year veteran and nine-time All-Star who has played for Milwaukee, San Diego, Florida, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Braves and Yankees, has a .297 career batting average, 455 home runs and 1,501 RBI in 2,229 games. He's sixth among active players in RBI and seventh in home runs.
"We have been able to add one of the biggest bats in baseball," said Tigers manager Jim Leyland, who managed Sheffield in Florida. "I have a great relationship with Gary Sheffield and I have the utmost respect for him. I'm happy to add a bat of this magnitude and that he'll be a Tiger." Sanchez, 23, was a combined 10-6 with a 2.53 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 123 innings with Triple-A Toledo and Double-A Erie this year. Whelan, 22, was 4-1 with a 2.67 ERA and 27 saves for Class A Lakeland. Claggett, 22, was 7-2 with an 0.91 ERA and 14 saves for Class A West Michigan.



http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2656847

 

[devilfan02]

Sources: Red Sox may have top Matsuzaka bid




The Boston Red Sox may have posted the top bid for the right to negotiate with Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka, according to Major League Baseball sources.
There has been no official announcement, and the Seibu Lions, Matsuzaka's team in Japan, have until Tuesday to accept or reject the high bid.
But, according to officials monitoring the bidding, the Red Sox bid may be between $38 million and $45 million.
Matsuzaka, who pitched for Japan's World Baseball Classic champions, is considered among the top prospects available this offseason. If the Lions accept the top bid, the winning bidder has 30 days to reach an agreement with Matsuzaka. If a deal cannot be reached, he would return to the Lions for the 2007 Japanese baseball season.


By 5 p.m. Wednesday, major league teams interested in bidding on the rights to deal with Matsuzaka had to post a sealed bid. Major League Basball then took the highest bid and forwarded only the dollar figure -- not the identity of the team -- to the Seibu Lions.
According to a source within Major League Baseball, as of Friday afternoon, Seibu had not informed MLB officially whether it had accepted the bid.
There are three reasons the deal would make sense for the Red Sox:
• Talent evaluators who have seen Matsuzaka say he's a top of the rotation-quality pitcher who would improve the Red Sox staff.

• If Boston signs him it would effectively plant a Red Sox flag in the growing Far East market. • By merely winning the bidding the Red Sox would block the Yankees from acquiring Matsuzaka. By signing him, they would gain the same kind of advantage the Yankees gained when they signed Johnny Damon away from Boston.

$40 million dollars just to try and negotiate a deal, holy crap!!!!!!


http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2656687

 

[Ryanwb]

From a sabermetrics stand point a closer is a waste of money and talent. It's been a while since I read the book but a very, very low number of games are actually lost in the 9th inning regardless of who is pitching.

I can't for sure say that Byrnes is a sabermetricist but this will be a good indicater based upon who our closer for 2007 is.

 

[devilfan02]

Exactly. Moneyball goes into great detail about how sabermaticians value closers. They simply draft or promote a pitcher and plug him into the "closer" role. It's all in hopes that they are successful so they can trade that particular closer for prospects. The A's have been very successful at doing this.

I'm not sure how Byrnes looks at the closer role but he needs to address it. We lost plenty of games in the 9th last season so everyones situation is different. We need someone who won't blow it as much as our current options