The Dbacks offseason thread

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Even though the season is just now winding down for the Dbacks today, theres already plenty of rumors regarding Arizona in what should be another busy offseason.

Kendrick recently has made comments that the Diamondbacks will not trade Luis Gonzalez unless given a pretty good deal, and Gonzo will not waive his NTC unless he gets an extension.

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=49507
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/0930dbxmain0930.html

Also, in the USA Today (no link), it is rumored that Arizona will be one team pursuing Eddie Guadardo.

Small article on the right on other bullpen names that could be available.
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/1002dbacks1002.html

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Dbacks interested in bringing Worell back?

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/1003dbnb1003.html

 

[Diamondback Jay]

Dbacks interested in bringing Worell back?

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/1003dbnb1003.html

Our next catcher to be Paul LoDuca??

Source

Moorad said the team would like to upgrade the catcher position, if possible, to bring in some added offense. There is speculation a trade could be made for Florida's Paul Lo Duca, whom Arizona tried to get when he was with the Dodgers

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Butler and Davis will not return.

http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com...t_id=1239763&vkey=news_ari&fext=.jsp&c_id=ari

 

[Lefty]

You beat me to it. Good news. I think the front office will be busy this offseason.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Butler being dismissed was a bit of a surprise to me, considering how much our bunting improved this year alone.

 

[BC867]

Butler and Davis will not return.

Every time I attended a D'backs game, saw Butler standing in the 1B coaching box, and our Pitchers not able to bunt successfully . . .

As an active player, Butler was the best bunter in the game. Why couldn't he impart his knowledge and experience to the players?

 

[AZZenny]

I don't care how good a relationship

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has with Price - that's not the basis on which I'd want to see them select a new pitching coach. Not a good basis to keep a hitting coach, for that matter.

Davis going is fine with me. Butler looked too feisty for this coaching crew anyhow.

Sports Weekly mentions that DBacks will interview David Wilder, highly regarded White Sox farm system director, for GM, and also (ulp) Duquette. Doesn't it seem a tad peculiar that local reporters have NO actual rumors or news about who is being invited?

 

[Diamondback Jay]

Sports Weekly mentions that DBacks will interview David Wilder, highly regarded White Sox farm system director, for GM, and also (ulp) Duquette. Doesn't it seem a tad peculiar that local reporters have NO actual rumors or news about who is being invited?

The Buzz's rumors are often times smoke and mirrors. However, this in from the the Chicago Tribune..

The White Sox gave permission to Arizona to interview Dave Wilder for its vacant general manager's position. Wilder, 44, is completing his second season as the Sox's director of player development and also oversees the organization's Latin American operations. Wilder's strength is player evaluation and the Diamondbacks are slowly adding talent from their farm system after a 111-loss season in 2004. Wilder worked in player development with Atlanta from 1991 to 1995 under respected GM John Schuerholz. He also worked as farm director for the Cubs from 1996 to 1998 before serving as an assistant GM in 1999. He served on the selection committee that formed the 2000 U.S. Olympic baseball team that won the gold medal. Wilder came to the Sox from Milwaukee, where he worked for four seasons (2000-03). He began his career as a minor-league coach and scout with Oakland.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Wilder worked in player development with Atlanta from 1991 to 1995 under respected GM John Schuerholz.

Any time this sentence is in a resume, i think you have to at least grant an interview...

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

From Gammons, this could be why many no-names are reportedly in the hunt...

Jeff Moorad has made a lot of calls for his vacant GM spot, but what he's looking for is someone to run the farm system and draft while Moorad makes the decisions, with the help of Matt Williams. He asked Oakland assistant David Forst to interview, but Forst is staying with the Athletics. There have been several reports that Kevin Towers might be interested.

Great, since the Williams/Moorad two headed monster worked out so well last offseason.

 

[BC867]

Just what we need. Still another Steinbrenner wannabe.

When will owners learn that ego doesn't fill their wallets as well as hiring qualified people to work for them . . . and let them do their job?

 

[AZZenny]

Oh carp. No way we'll get anyone competent for GM if they aren't given reasonable autonomy - not that I'd mind cleaning up our farm system a bit more. We draft great, but our development seems to be mediocre. I heard Wilder is 'the token interviewee' but his resume would probably fit if this comment is accurate. Then again - this is Gammons. And you have to think Kendricks isn't going to be absent or silent in how the franchise is structured and run.

You know - Moorad is a smart guy - if he would turn his obvious negotiating skills away from old pals and former clients and get fiscally much more ruthless, I'm sure he could handle that end of the GM role just fine. It's the evaluation and selection of talent that is the worry.

Rule 1. Hometown Discounts aren't.
Rule 2. Under thirty always trumps over thirty.
Rule 3. A career year is not a trend!
(Corollary (A) to R.3): It's called 'Catching lightning in a bottle' because you can't predict for it and it doesn't continue.
(Corollary(B) to R.3): Old players don't REALLY rehabilitate their careers in the Desert.
Rule 4. Catering to fan sentiment has screwed up more competitive teams than ruthless cost-benefit analysis ever has.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Dbacks interested in Konerko?

http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/whitesox.asp?id=104255

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I'd like some tweaking in our farm system as well (most notably in pitcher development) but what accomplished personnel guy is going to want to come into a situation where he has to deal with a washed up player and a former agent blocking or trading away all the young players he has acquired in favor of their preferred mediocre veterans?

 

[Phill11]

Dbacks interested in Konerko?

http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/whitesox.asp?id=104255

Intresting. I'm baffled with what we'd do with the log jam we have already at the corners...

Also the LoDuca coming to AZ rumor really put a smile on my face. If I'm not mistaken he went to HS here. He's a solid catcher, average hitter for a catcher and is a great clubhouse guy. Big upgrade over Snyder.

 

[AZZenny]

Saw in Sports Weekly the rumor the DBacks will shop Glaus because they were 'frustrated by his work habits.' ?? Oh - was it HIS fault the team had no energy or heart?! I understood he has limited no-trade - plus he's expensive - and if the rap is poor work ethic, that's really going to get teams lining up to take him off our hands.

Everything I've heard or read so far about how this team is going into the offseason just spells doom to me.

I just know they'll trade Glaus and Conor, sign Clayton and Worrell, and I'll be stuck with totally useless season tix for next year.

 

[AZZenny]

Clayton said he was looking more in the $4M range, didn't he? Heck -just keep Cintron around until Drew is ready.
D-Backs offer Clayton 1-year deal

Nick Piecoro
The Arizona Republic
Oct. 13, 2005 12:00 AM

General Partner Jeff Moorad said he met with the representative for Royce Clayton on Monday and made a contract proposal that would keep the free-agent shortstop with the Diamondbacks for one more year.

"We put an offer on the table, which I told them had some movement in order to make a deal," Moorad said. "We're hopeful Royce had a positive experience with the Diamondbacks and that he'll consider coming back next season."

The Diamondbacks aren't likely to budge on the length of the one-year offer, however, not with top prospect Stephen Drew's arrival imminent. Should they sign Clayton, 35, the Diamondbacks could then give the 22-year-old Drew additional time to develop.

After signing a one-year deal last off-season, Clayton hit .270, including a .301 average after the All-Star break, and provided a dependable glove at shortstop.

The Diamondbacks are likely willing to give Clayton a bump in salary beyond the $1.35 million he made in 2005, perhaps into the $1.5 million range.

Moorad, who first disclosed news of the Clayton offer on KTAR-AM Wednesday afternoon, is also planning to make contact soon with pitchers Tim Worrell and Shawn Estes, who, like Clayton, will be eligible to file for free agency after the World Series.

Moorad also said he spoke with former Mariners pitching coach Bryan Price on Wednesday and expects to hear back from Price in the coming days regarding the Diamondbacks' vacant pitching coach position.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

If trading Glaus was something that had been on the front office's mind awhile (although I think he should be kept and moved to 1B and Conor moved to LF), then how come we didn't pull the trigger this summer during the hot market for 3B when names like CC Sabathia were being thrown around in exchange for Joe Randa? The Reds got the Padres two best pitching prospects for Randa BTW.

 

[peterman]

i keep seeing articles in how we are going to pursue Paul Konerko in the offseason i'm just thinking why the hell should we do that we already have a log jam at 1st.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

It is kind of strange that none of the local papers have picked up on the Konerko rumor, dispite the fact that there have been many mentions of it in other newspapers across the country.

 

[Diamondback Jay]

Am I the only one who doesn't want to see the Diamondbacks trade Glaus??


Also, I find it funny that Arizona's "interested in Konerko" when last post-season they shot down a deal that would have landed them Konerko AND Jon Garland (as well as minor league OF Brian Anderson) for Johnson..

What a difference a year makes huh?

 

[peterman]

Am I the only one who doesn't want to see the Diamondbacks trade Glaus??


Also, I find it funny that Arizona's "interested in Konerko" when last post-season they shot down a deal that would have landed them Konerko AND Jon Garland (as well as minor league OF Brian Anderson) for Johnson..

What a difference a year makes huh?

should have done that deal

 

[Diamondback Jay]

should have done that deal

No arguements here

 

[AZZenny]

No Snake - I like Glaus quite a bit (even got a T-shirt early in the year) - he, Conor, and Valverde are the main bright spots for me on an otherwise pretty uninteresting team. Like I said - if they toss Glaus and Conor, and keep Bomel, I may not bother going to the ballpark.

Again - this is another totally unsubstantiated rumor - but it struck me how this team frequently bad-mouths guys they decide to trade - as if that's going to increase their marketability - and made me think there may be something behind the rumor.