azdad1978
Championship!!!!
By Ed Price, Tribune
With the market for Richie Sexson expanding, it might take a while yet for a resolution to the question of whether he stays with the Diamondbacks.
Arizona made a new offer — one Ken Kendrick of the ownership group called "what we think is as good as we can do" — last week. With more teams joining the bidding, especially ones with large payroll budgets, there are indications that the D-Backs’ proposal is not enough.
In fact, one industry source said the first baseman has told friends he is not returning to Arizona.
Not only are Baltimore, Seattle and the New York Mets after Sexson, agent Casey Close said Monday at least three other teams have expressed interest as well. Some of those teams would like Sexson to play at least part-time in the outfield (he has experience there, 1998-2000 with Cleveland).
"It's something that Richie would at least consider in the short term," Close said.
Some teams might also be working on a trade to free up first base for Sexson.
The Diamondbacks have expressed interest in Troy Glaus, the former third baseman of the Anaheim Angels who can also play first, as an alternative to keeping Sexson.
"We're out and about looking at other options and working those things," D-Backs general manager Joe Garagiola Jr. said.
Glaus' agent, Mike Nicotera, did not return a phone call Monday.
"Nothing's really happening with any of the top, premium bats at warp speed," Close said. "It's going to be an evolving market."
Premier free agents will probably not sign before Dec. 7, the deadline for their current teams to offer arbitration and thus ensure obtaining compensatory draft picks. Rick Licht, the agent for shortstop Royce Clayton (one of Arizona's top targets), said he expects Clayton "to make a decision shortly thereafter."
ORTIZ IMPRESSED
Agent John Boggs said right-hander Russ Ortiz had a "spectacular" visit last week with the D-Backs.
"The Diamondbacks were first class and very professional," Boggs said. "Russ was very impressed with everything he saw and everything he heard."
Of Arizona's intent to contend in 2005 rather than rebuild, Boggs said, "It's a legitimate pitch. If you're hearing all the right things, and they have a game plan — which they do — do you buy into it or do you not?"
Said Garagiola: "I felt good about that visit. It's important that we be able to have an extended period of time to talk to people we're really interested in because they have questions."
Ortiz, who was 15-9 with a 4.13 ERA this year for Atlanta, lives in Gilbert, but Boggs said the proximity is "not a key, integral part" of Ortiz's decision.
SHORT HOPS
The Diamondbacks announced Monday that Bob Gebhard, the former Colorado general manager who joined Arizona's front office last week, will have the title vice president and special assistant to the general manager.. . .
Outfielder Doug DeVore accepted his outright assignment to Class AAA Tucson. Infielder Tim Olson refused his, making him a free agent.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=32347
With the market for Richie Sexson expanding, it might take a while yet for a resolution to the question of whether he stays with the Diamondbacks.
Arizona made a new offer — one Ken Kendrick of the ownership group called "what we think is as good as we can do" — last week. With more teams joining the bidding, especially ones with large payroll budgets, there are indications that the D-Backs’ proposal is not enough.
In fact, one industry source said the first baseman has told friends he is not returning to Arizona.
Not only are Baltimore, Seattle and the New York Mets after Sexson, agent Casey Close said Monday at least three other teams have expressed interest as well. Some of those teams would like Sexson to play at least part-time in the outfield (he has experience there, 1998-2000 with Cleveland).
"It's something that Richie would at least consider in the short term," Close said.
Some teams might also be working on a trade to free up first base for Sexson.
The Diamondbacks have expressed interest in Troy Glaus, the former third baseman of the Anaheim Angels who can also play first, as an alternative to keeping Sexson.
"We're out and about looking at other options and working those things," D-Backs general manager Joe Garagiola Jr. said.
Glaus' agent, Mike Nicotera, did not return a phone call Monday.
"Nothing's really happening with any of the top, premium bats at warp speed," Close said. "It's going to be an evolving market."
Premier free agents will probably not sign before Dec. 7, the deadline for their current teams to offer arbitration and thus ensure obtaining compensatory draft picks. Rick Licht, the agent for shortstop Royce Clayton (one of Arizona's top targets), said he expects Clayton "to make a decision shortly thereafter."
ORTIZ IMPRESSED
Agent John Boggs said right-hander Russ Ortiz had a "spectacular" visit last week with the D-Backs.
"The Diamondbacks were first class and very professional," Boggs said. "Russ was very impressed with everything he saw and everything he heard."
Of Arizona's intent to contend in 2005 rather than rebuild, Boggs said, "It's a legitimate pitch. If you're hearing all the right things, and they have a game plan — which they do — do you buy into it or do you not?"
Said Garagiola: "I felt good about that visit. It's important that we be able to have an extended period of time to talk to people we're really interested in because they have questions."
Ortiz, who was 15-9 with a 4.13 ERA this year for Atlanta, lives in Gilbert, but Boggs said the proximity is "not a key, integral part" of Ortiz's decision.
SHORT HOPS
The Diamondbacks announced Monday that Bob Gebhard, the former Colorado general manager who joined Arizona's front office last week, will have the title vice president and special assistant to the general manager.. . .
Outfielder Doug DeVore accepted his outright assignment to Class AAA Tucson. Infielder Tim Olson refused his, making him a free agent.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=32347
