Reynolds extended and more

[azsportsfan01]

Mark Reynolds was extended today for 3 years and $14.5 million. There is an option for $11 million. It buys out his 3 arbitration years and the option is for his first free agency year. Not too shabby of a deal. As of now I would say his option is a lock to be picked up.

Other news:
Diamondbacks sign Kris Benson to a minor league deal. It is a low risk/medium reward. If he is in the majors it won't be for long unless he is actually good (doubtful). What makes it a medium reward is if he brings his wife to the games. If you don't know Anna Benson, look her up.

Wagner Mateo is getting a tryout for the Diamondbacks today. He originally signed with the Cardinals for $3.1 million but his deal was voided because of concerns about his right eye. Other teams didn't find anything wrong with his eye. Here is a scouting report on Mateo:

"Mateo is what scouts like to call a toolshed: some have projected him to own five plus tools. He put on quite the show in batting practice, as you can see in the video. One swing sent a ball over the wall in center field, an easy 400-foot shot. Mateo's game isn't just power, as he utilizes his plus speed on the basepaths and in the field. His arm has also shown improvement, grading as a 60 on the 20-80 scale with the display he put on for scouts at the event."

He is 17 years old so he wouldn't see the majors for a few years but he sounds like a really good prospect. We'll see if the Diamondbacks shell out the cash needed to sign him.

 

[82CardsGrad]

I should know this but I don't... the Reynolds extension means what in terms of his annual pay?
It seems like the D-backs scored on helluva deal here!!

 

[azsportsfan01]

Reynolds will receive a $1 million signing bonus and earn $500,000 this season, $5 million in 2011 and $7.5 million in 2012. The 2013 option has a $500,000 buyout.

I was wrong, doesn't buy out free agency. Option is for 3rd arb. year.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Reynolds will receive a $1 million signing bonus and earn $500,000 this season, $5 million in 2011 and $7.5 million in 2012. The 2013 option has a $500,000 buyout.

I was wrong, doesn't buy out free agency. Option is for 3rd arb. year.

What an amazing deal for the D-backs...

 

[Arizona's Finest]

What an amazing deal for the D-backs...

Yup and watching Upton club homers all spring makes this a VERY successful offseason so far.

Please god shine on us and give us 25+ 2007 type starts from Webby

 

[Chris_Sanders]

It is nice to see a teams management be proactive about keeping it's young talent.

 

[nashman]

very nice

 

[Black Jesus]

Championship 2011, heard it here first!

 

[BC867]

Championship 2011, heard it here first!

If Webb returns to form before too long, why not 2010?

Haren-Webb, with a starting lineup solid from 1-to-8 and a strong bench vs. Johnson-Shilling with Gonzo and role players.

It could happen.

 

[green machine]

If Webb returns to form before too long, why not 2010?

Haren-Webb, with a starting lineup solid from 1-to-8 and a strong bench vs. Johnson-Shilling with Gonzo and role players.

It could happen.

Johnson/Schilling >>>> Haren/Webb


But, who knows, I don't even think the 01 edition was the best squad the D-backs have had (99 was better).

 

[Lefty]

Johnson/Schilling >>>> Haren/Webb


But, who knows, I don't even think the 01 edition was the best squad the D-backs have had (99 was better).

When Johnson and Schilling pitched, I expected a win. They were that good. I would take the 2001 team over the '99 because of Schilling. I also liked Grace and his defense and also what he brought in the lockerroom.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

When Johnson and Schilling pitched, I expected a win. They were that good. I would take the 2001 team over the '99 because of Schilling. I also liked Grace and his defense and also what he brought in the lockerroom.

Yeah but Upton has a chance to be all around better then anyone on the team that year. Yeah even 57 HR Luis Gonzalez.

 

[Lefty]

Yeah but Upton has a chance to be all around better then anyone on the team that year. Yeah even 57 HR Luis Gonzalez.

What does Upton have to do with this?

 

[Arizona's Finest]

What does Upton have to do with this?

the posts were comparing the best diamondback teams. i was saying the lineup this year has better hitters then 01 with Upton being the fulcrum.

 

[green machine]

When Johnson and Schilling pitched, I expected a win. They were that good. I would take the 2001 team over the '99 because of Schilling. I also liked Grace and his defense and also what he brought in the lockerroom.

That may be, but man that 99 offense was loaded. Career years from Womack, Finley, Jay Bell, Matt Williams...Gonzo hit for a ridiculous average...but Schilling was the difference since that guy knew how to pitch in the postseason.

 

[Lefty]

the posts were comparing the best diamondback teams. i was saying the lineup this year has better hitters then 01 with Upton being the fulcrum.

I was comparing the '99 team to the 2001 one. Overall, pitching & hitting, the 2001 Diamondbacks in my opinion was the better team.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

I was comparing the '99 team to the 2001 one. Overall, pitching & hitting, the 2001 Diamondbacks in my opinion was the better team.

Ok. So I was quoting you but responding to the thread in general on how this team has the potential to do special things along the lines of the 01 team. Depnding on luck, health, and player development, its not unreasonable to say this team is more talented and better coached.

 

[BC867]

... its not unreasonable to say this team is more talented and better coached.

How right you are about better coached.

Bob Brenly was a strong leader who could communicate behind a microphone, but not one-on-one with his players.

Bob Melvin could communicate one-on-one, but was a weak leader and public speaker.

And both, with their 135 different batting orders each season, left most of the players not knowing their roles from day to day.

AJ is proving himself, despite his total lack of managerial or coaching experience before this job (I was a critic), to be a strong leader (in action, if not dynamic personality) who believes in defining roles and a set batting order (I'm ecstatic) and communicates very effectively (from what we read) with his players.

It's about time! And very similar to Alvin Gentry combining the best features (and eliminating the worst) of his two predecessors coaching the Suns.

I'm doubly ecstatic!

 

[overseascardfan]

I am really excited about the lineup. Adding Johnson & LaRoche to Upton, Reynolds & Jackson is going to be fun to watch. Top to bottom we have a potentially dangerous lineup, all we need is for Drew and Young to rebound off their subpar 2009 seasons. Hopefully the SP & bullpen can slow down the opposing offenses.

 

[Diamondback Jay]

Between the re-signing of Upton and this, anyone who argues this post-season wasn't a success should have their baseball knowledge questioned.

Upton and Reynolds are two perennial All-Stars, who will spend the meat and bones of their careers as Arizona Diamondbacks. And at a fraction of the price they could have got had they waited out things and hit free agency.