The Official Diamondbacks Offseason Thread

[Diamondback Jay]

As much as it pains me to bring this up, we're now officially looking at the off-season and wondering who goes where and how.

That being said, let me start off with a list of free agents, broken down by position.


Catchers
Brad Ausmus (39)
Michael Barrett (31)
Ramon Castro (32)
Jason Kendall (34)
Paul Lo Duca (36)
Jorge Posada (36)
Jose Molina (33)
Yorvit Torrealba (30)

First Basemen
Sean Casey (34)
Tony Clark (36)
Adam Dunn (28) - $13MM club option for '08
Darin Erstad (34) - $3.5MM club option for '08
Scott Hatteberg (38) - $1.85MM club option for '08
Ryan Klesko (37)
Mike Lamb (33)
Doug Mientkiewicz (34)

Second Basemen
Luis Castillo (32)
Damion Easley (38)
Marcus Giles (30) - $4MM club option for '08
Tadahito Iguchi (33)
Mark Loretta (37)
Kaz Matsui (32)
Jose Valentin (38)

Shortstops
David Eckstein (33)
Cesar Izturis (28) - $5.45MM club option for '08
Tomohiro Nioka (32)
Alexei Ramirez (26)
Juan Uribe (29) - $5MM club option for '08
Omar Vizquel (41)


Third Basemen
Pedro Feliz (33)
Mike Lamb (32)
Mike Lowell (34)
Alex Rodriguez (32) - Has ability to opt out of contract after season

Left Fielders
Moises Alou (42) - $7.5MM club option for '08
Barry Bonds (43)
Milton Bradley (30)
Adam Dunn (28) - $13MM club option for '08
Cliff Floyd (35) - mutual option for '08
Luis Gonzalez (40)
Geoff Jenkins (33) - $9MM club option for '08
Reggie Sanders (40)
Shannon Stewart (34)
Brad Wilkerson (31)

Center Fielders
Milton Bradley (30)
Mike Cameron (35)
Darin Erstad (34) - $3.5MM club option for '08
Torii Hunter (32)
Andruw Jones (31)
Kenny Lofton (41)
Corey Patterson (28)
Alexei Ramirez (26)
Aaron Rowand (30)

Right Fielders
Bobby Abreu (34) - $16MM club option for '08
Milton Bradley (30)
Kosuke Fukudome (31)
Shawn Green (35) - $10MM club option for '08
Jose Guillen (32) - $9MM club option for '08
Geoff Jenkins (33) - $9MM club option for '08
Trot Nixon (34)
Reggie Sanders (40)
Rob Mackowiak (31)


DHs
Barry Bonds (43)
Mike Piazza (39)
Sammy Sosa (39)
Mike Sweeney (34)

Starting Pitchers
Tony Armas (30) - $5MM mutual option for '08
Kris Benson (33) - $7.5MM club option for '08
Paul Byrd (37) - $8MM club option for '08
Shawn Chacon (30)
Roger Clemens (46)
Matt Clement (33)
Bartolo Colon (35)
Josh Fogg (31)
Casey Fossum (30)
Freddy Garcia (32)
Tom Glavine (42)
Livan Hernandez (33)*
Jason Jennings (29)
Joe Kennedy (29)
Byung-Hyun Kim (29)
Brian Lawrence (32)
Jon Lieber (38)
Kyle Lohse (29)
Rodrigo Lopez (32)
Greg Maddux (42) - $8.75MM player option or $11MM club option for '08
Eric Milton (32)
Tomo Ohka (32)
Russ Ortiz (34)
Odalis Perez (31) - $9MM club option for '08
Andy Pettitte (36) - $16MM player option for '08
Kenny Rogers (43)
Curt Schilling (41)
Carlos Silva (29)
Julian Tavarez (35) - $3.85MM club option for '08
John Thomson (34)
Brett Tomko (35) - $4.5MM mutual option for '08
Steve Trachsel (37) - $4.75MM club option for '08
Koji Uehara (33)
Jeff Weaver (31)
David Wells (45)
Kip Wells (31)
Randy Wolf (31) - $9MM club option for '08
Jamey Wright (34)
Jaret Wright (32)


Closers
Armando Benitez (35)
Joe Borowski (37) - $4MM club option for '08
Francisco Cordero (33)
Octavio Dotel (32) - $5.5MM mutual option for '08
Eric Gagne (32)
Todd Jones (40)
Al Reyes (37) - $1MM club option for '08
Mariano Rivera (38)
Bob Wickman (39)


Middle Relievers
Jeremy Affeldt (29)
Antonio Alfonseca (36)
LaTroy Hawkins (35)
Jorge Julio (29)
Joe Kennedy (29)
Scott Linebrink (31)
Troy Percival (39)
David Riske (31) - $2.85MM club option for '08
Julian Tavarez (35) - $3.85MM club option for '08
Mike Timlin (42)
Luis Vizcaino (31)
Kerry Wood (31)

 

[abomb]

I've always liked LoDuca. Maybe he'd take a hometown discount.

 

[Mulli]

Not too excited about that list. Adam Dunn at first base, maybe?

 

[82CardsGrad]

I've always liked LoDuca. Maybe he'd take a hometown discount.

LoDuca will be 37 next season, which for a catcher (particularly in the NL), that means he's ancient!

The D-backs need to address second base. Ideally, they keep Hudson.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Not too excited about that list. Adam Dunn at first base, maybe?

Jackson is fine... I even think Snyder is worth keeping around... Second base is an issue...

 

[Mulli]

Man, is it me or do the Rockies have a bunch playing in the last year of their contract?

 

[DWKB]

Hudson is already under contract for 2008 so that is a non-move.

Dunn is different from Jackson in terms of HR/AB increase with less hits overall. Not worth $12.5M more.

The need is to replace Livan with a young flame throwing SP or a 200 IP innings eater who specializes in GB outs.

The DBacks have said payroll is going to be around $75M total, but $8M goes to Ortiz and the interest in the back logs of 1998-2002 come out as well (~$3M). So drop that $75M down to $64M. We're not talking any extra money here.

FAs are pretty much out of the question. It's going to be through trades.

 

[Mulli]

Hudson is already under contract for 2008 so that is a non-move.

Dunn is different from Jackson in terms of HR/AB increase with less hits overall. Not worth $12.5M more.

The need is to replace Livan with a young flame throwing SP or a 200 IP innings eater who specializes in GB outs.

The DBacks have said payroll is going to be around $75M total, but $8M goes to Ortiz and the interest in the back logs of 1998-2002 come out as well (~$3M). So drop that $75M down to $64M. We're not talking any extra money here.

FAs are pretty much out of the question. It's going to be through trades.

Fair enough. Dunn is definitely not worth the money.

 

[Diamondback Jay]

With the exception of a few (A-Rod, Dunn-- if they opt out, Andruw Jones) its a pretty mediocre free agent class as a whole, although there are a few guys on that list who I think would fit the Diamondback mold and could come at a moderate and inexpensive rate.

I really like Rob Mackowiack. I saw him way back when he was in AA ball, and the guy is a perfect complimentary player, he can play Left, Right and all IF positions. He's not a star caliber, but he's grit and guts and I think would be another good mentor for the kids.

If Clark doesn't come back (which I still suspect he will), Mike Lamb might not be such a bad option. Come to think, even if he DOES come back, Lamb might not be a bad option for either 1st or 3rd. Could be good to have him giving Reynolds a day off or two.

Middle Relief, I'd LOVE to see Arizona get Scott Linebrink, but I don't know if he's going to be worth what his asking price is.. Wood and Affelt could be worth a look.

SP wise, the only one on there that really jumps out at me is Jason Jennings, as a possible replacement for Livan. Yet, he's coming off a miserable year with Houston, and I'm not sure Arizona would be a good fit for him.

I've had more than one person tell me that the DBacks have talked with the Twins about a possible Carlos Quentin for Matt Garza or Kevin Slowey swap. That could peak my interest a bit as Garza/Slowey meet more of the youth movement theme Arizona seems to be pushing. I've also heard Jeremy Sowers of Cleveland and Zach Duke of Pittsburgh's names mentioned in a few "coming to the Desert" rumors.

 

[WildBB]

I'd try Reynolds or Tracy at 1st, see what I can get for Jackson.

 

[AzKarl]

This list looks like a Clinical trial for Geriatric Medicine Best practices

Some of these guys might be eligible for Social Security. There are very view on these lists that we should even give a cursory glance at.

 

[dbUNIT16]

I don't know what it is, but Jackson just seems to have one of those swings that he will struggle with throughout his career. If we are going to add a bat, which I really think we need to do, 1B seems like the only logical place to do it. I don't know that we should give up on Reynolds yet, he has mad power.

I wouldn't mind seeing Connor go for a big bat at 1B.

Projected HR next year:

Young: 30 - 35
Brynes: 15-25
Drew: 20 - 25
Snyder: 10 - 15
Reynolds: 15 - 20
Hudson: 10 - 15
Upton: 15 - 20

I don't see a power shortage. I think during the Cubs series we really got into the power hitting mode, which this team cannot do. We have power, but we need to concenrate on making contact and driving the ball, the power will come naturally. I think we were swining for hte fences on every swing during that series. Except for Byrnes last at bat, when he should have been swining for the fences!

 

[DWKB]

Is the point of OBP = Runs just being dismissed?

A) Who's the "big bat" we can get for 1B

B) How much will they cost because this team's on a budget and Jackson's only $500k next year

 

[Diamondback Jay]

Is the point of OBP = Runs just being dismissed?

A) Who's the "big bat" we can get for 1B

B) How much will they cost because this team's on a budget and Jackson's only $500k next year

The only one I can envision filling that role who is available is Adam Dunn. Yet, I see DBack fans looking their nose down at that possibility because he strikes out a ton and his batting average generally sucks.

I say give Conor a shot and let him grow before we cast him off.

 

[TucsonDevil]

I wonder how much Paul Byrd would demand... if it is Doug Davis money, I would look for him to fill the spot of #2/#3 in the rotation (R-L-R with him behind Davis). He is solid, with NL experience. Even though he is aging, a three year deal ($16-18M) wouldn't be a poor investment.

Josh Fogg might be a good #3 guy as well... and even cheaper than Byrd, but not as good. Of course, he made us look like crap the other night.

While Lamb doesn't appear to be a bad choice, how about Doug Mientkiewicz at 1B? He was often injured this year, but may be a decent veteran if Tony doesn't come back... and I believe he is cheap. I am in favor of packaging Conor Jackson in exchange for a hot meal and two tickets to the movies and/or Tempe Block party.

 

[DWKB]

While Lamb doesn't appear to be a bad choice, how about Doug Mientkiewicz at 1B? He was often injured this year, but may be a decent veteran if Tony doesn't come back... and I believe he is cheap. I am in favor of packaging Conor Jackson in exchange for a hot meal and two tickets to the movies and/or Tempe Block party.

Why not keep Tracy as the LHB platoon with Jackson and get rid of Clark (make him a coach?) Your Jackson comments might be in jest, but they don't offer any real solution. I mean, Lamb (what does he do over Jackson), Mientkiewicz? Seems irrational.

 

[Black Jesus]

i think Reynolds will hit close to 30 HR next season... Drew around 20, and Chris Young just shy of 40.

I also think we should try and sign Mike Lowell and ask him to play first base.

 

[DWKB]

i think Reynolds will hit close to 30 HR next season... Drew around 20, and Chris Young just shy of 40.

I also think we should try and sign Mike Lowell and ask him to play first base.

How much should we pay Lowell?

 

[TucsonDevil]

Why not keep Tracy as the LHB platoon with Jackson and get rid of Clark (make him a coach?) Your Jackson comments might be in jest, but they don't offer any real solution. I mean, Lamb (what does he do over Jackson), Mientkiewicz? Seems irrational.

I don't feel that Jackson is a sustainable star @ 1B. Therefore, I would rather take that talent in search of a trade. Other players in the market can do what Conor does, without the fielding errors and mental lapses. Meanwhile, you can search to fill other holes with trade bait.

I'm am not looking to get rid of Tracy.

 

[TucsonDevil]

The other question is - Does Randy ever pitch again? If he does, can he be a legit #2?

 

[DWKB]

I don't feel that Jackson is a sustainable star @ 1B. Therefore, I would rather take that talent in search of a trade. Other players in the market can do what Conor does, without the fielding errors and mental lapses. Meanwhile, you can search to fill other holes with trade bait.

I'm am not looking to get rid of Tracy.

He's not a sustainable star, but he's certainly adequate for the amount of money he's costing us. Lamb would cost a lot more $$$ than Jackson and give us the same thing.

Does Tracy platoon with "new 1B"? Don't Lamb and Mienky both bat lefty too?

 

[TucsonDevil]

He's not a sustainable star, but he's certainly adequate for the amount of money he's costing us. Lamb would cost a lot more $$$ than Jackson and give us the same thing.

Yeah, this year - Isn't Jackson due for a new contract after next year? My thought is - Jackson is worth more as trade bait than a cheap 1B player.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

There are a lot of low cards in that hand. The only pitchers that are remotely interesting are Schilling and Silva, and as such they'll probably get a ton more than they are worth. The Diamondbacks might make a minor move for Chacon or some kind of make-good deal with Clement or Wood (the Diamondbacks have had interest in Chacon and Clement in the past), but I would consider all three as longshots for joining the team.

 

[boondockdrunk]

Well, I say it is a given that we pick up a starting pitcher in the off-season. While I would like that pitcher to be young, I think he will be around 28-32 years old.

Some interesting guys to look at:
RHP Freddy Garcia - He won't come cheap but maybe GMs will be worried after he got hurt.

RHP Jason Jennings - Only 29 years old but after having a good year in 2006, he was injured most of the summer.

RHP Kip Wells - Has always had great stuff... but never had good results.


Overall, I am not too impressed with any of these choices (outside of Garcia, but he would cost too much anyway). I think it is highly likely that the D'backs trade away someone like CoJack,Tracy, or Quentin (let's face it, he is gone) with something else in order to acquire a pitcher.

My wish list:
RHP Joe Blanton

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Stick'd for use as our 07/08 Dbacks offseason thread.