The Official Diamondbacks Offseason Thread

[boondockdrunk]

From Rotoworld:
The Boston Herald reports that the A’s and Diamondbacks have had constructive talks about a deal which would send Dan Haren to Arizona and Conor Jackson and Carlos Gonzalez along with two more players to Oakland.
The A's wouldn't get the center fielder they want, but a package fronted by Jackson and Gonzalez would be very good. Jackson and Daric Barton would be paired as a first base/DH combination in Oakland, while Gonzalez could step into an outfield corner in 2009. If the Diamondbacks trade Jackson, they could then re-sign Tony Clark to play first base.
Source: Boston Herald

I was just about to post this. If we trade Conor, then Tracy would be our starting 1st baseman. If we get Haren, watch out. With Webb, Haren, RJ, DD, and Owings in the starting rotation, we have two aces as well as three other solid starters. Of course, we may have to give up Owings in the trade... that would be a huge steal for Oakland, because with Micah, they would gain a young pitcher as well as DH

MLB.com's Jim Street believes the first team to offer Hiroki Kuroda a four-year deal could sign the right-hander.
Street, who covers the Mariners, doesn't believe Seattle has submitted the rumored four-year, $44 million contract. Others have expressed similar doubts. It's possible that the Mariners, Mets, Dodgers and Diamondbacks are all right around three years and $30 million right now. The Royals are also involved, though it's unclear whether they've made an offer. The Mariners and Dodgers are the favorites, according to Street.

I still do not expect the D'backs to win this bid...

 

[Lefty]

This from ESPN:

• The Diamondbacks are listening to trade offers for closer Jose Valverde, who led the National League with 47 saves in 2007. If Arizona deals the 27-year-old right-hander, Tony Pena, another Dominican, would take over the closer role. Pena went 5-4 with a 3.27 ERA last season and led the club with 75 appearances.

 

[overseascardfan]

I don't see why we are putting everyone on the block. Valverde doesn't become a FA for 2 years. This team made it to the NLCS, we need to tweak the roster not overhaul it. Santana will go to BOS, Haren to the Yankees so there is no need to trade away key guys.

I would go after guys like Anthony Reyes, Ervin Santana, Joe Blanton, or Chris Capuano. Guys who won't cost us our entire farm system.

BTW, 2 yrs ago we had a shot at getting 2 of the Yankees Big 3 instead we took Scherzer when we could have had Kennedy & took Brooks Brown when we could have had Joba Chamberlain, what were we thinking?

 

[Mulli]

This from ESPN:

• The Diamondbacks are listening to trade offers for closer Jose Valverde, who led the National League with 47 saves in 2007. If Arizona deals the 27-year-old right-hander, Tony Pena, another Dominican, would take over the closer role. Pena went 5-4 with a 3.27 ERA last season and led the club with 75 appearances.

What does Melvin want a closer who can throw 100 pitches in a playoff game?

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I do not advise getting rid of Jackson, he was our best hitter after the AS Break last year and gets paid next to nothing. Not to mention with Tracy's rehab going poorly and Reynolds still averaging a strikeout every three AB's we need all the insurance we can get. I'd just prefer platooning those guys between 1B and 3B.

Yeah, I know we still need two starting pitchers but in this market I'd prefer trying to catch lightning in a bottle somewhere. I still think we're okay with Davis, Webb, and Owings.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Jake Peavy is supposedly about to sign a $52M, 3 year extension with the Padres that will run his contract through 2012. I bring this up because of its implications for signing Brandon Webb to an extension, as they will probably use the Peavy deal as a template (which they did in Webb's first extension).

http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/padres/20071204-1856-bbn-padres-peavy.html

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

More morning rumors:

With Oakland also shopping right-hander Joe Blanton, whom the Diamondbacks apparently have yet to discuss, one baseball official mentioned the 1989 NFL trade between the Vikings and Cowboys involving Herschel Walker (which included 18 players) when referring to Beane's asking price for the two pitchers.

Another said the A's won't necessarily wait for Johan Santana to get traded before acting; if they find the deal they want, they will make it, the official said.

Beane is expected to troll the market until his price is met. He could get it from the Diamondbacks, although they remain unwilling to part with any of their young major-league talent; Chris Young, Justin Upton, Stephen Drew and Mark Reynolds remain off limits.

Conor Jackson's name was linked to a Haren report Tuesday, but he hasn't been offered.

What will be the Diamondbacks' offer? Start with outfield prospect Carlos Gonzalez and, from there, the names that were said to be discussed between the teams is a long one.

The names of pitchers Dustin Nippert and Brett Anderson and outfielders Aaron Cunningham and Gerardo Parra came up, according to league sources, and it is believed that Oakland would require a package of at least four players to make a trade.

Minor-league right-hander Max Scherzer's name was said to be discussed, but it appears the Diamondbacks are not willing to include him, either.

Catcher Miguel Montero's name was rumored in connection to the Washington Nationals, but it doesn't appear that the teams have had substantive discussions.

One league source said the Diamondbacks have been investigating the free-agent market on backup catchers, suggesting that they could be open to moving Montero, particularly after Chris Snyder emerged in the second half of the season as the club's primary catcher.

The Diamondbacks still were believed to be in the running for Kuroda, and a report published Tuesday contradicted a Monday report that said the Seattle Mariners had offered a four-year contract.

The Diamondbacks' offer was for three years, and they are hesitant to go to four.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/1205dbacks1205.html

 

[HooverDam]

Conor Jackson's name was linked to a Haren report Tuesday, but he hasn't been offered.

UG. Come on D'backs, if you are screwing up a deal because you don't want to lose Conor freakin' Jackson I'm going to be pissed.

 

[Diamondback Jay]

UG. Come on D'backs, if you are screwing up a deal because you don't want to lose Conor freakin' Jackson I'm going to be pissed.

Actually, Jackson isn't what's holding up the deal. It's Chris Young/Justin Upton (one or the other). Oakland has at one point asked for both in trade discussions, and Arizona is rightfully reluctant.

As I'm being told, Jackson's name was never even mentioned as a possibility for the A's.

I truthfully like the offer of Montero, Gonzalez, Parra, Anderson and Bonaficio or Callaspo for Haren (which apparently was one of a handful of rumored offers). I think that benefits the A's greatly and makes Haren's return worthwhile.

 

[sundevil04]

Go

No way would I consider dealing Young or Upton. Also, Would you really feel comfortable giving up c.jackson and relying on Tracy and possibly Owings to cover 1st? I'd give C.gonzalez and any other prospects they want including new aquisition c.carter, who I'd have to believe was dealt for as a cog in this trade.
________
Alaska medical marijuana dispensary

 

[asuhoopnut]

Actually, Jackson isn't what's holding up the deal. It's Chris Young/Justin Upton (one or the other). Oakland has at one point asked for both in trade discussions, and Arizona is rightfully reluctant.

As I'm being told, Jackson's name was never even mentioned as a possibility for the A's.

I truthfully like the offer of Montero, Gonzalez, Parra, Anderson and Bonaficio or Callaspo for Haren (which apparently was one of a handful of rumored offers). I think that benefits the A's greatly and makes Haren's return worthwhile.

Okay Jay ....... I'm calling you out on this one! You are being told by whom?
Not once have we heard Upton or Young being mentioned in this deal.

 

[Gee!]

Im not sure I believe what Jay is selling either.. Earlier he swore up and down that A-Rod would end up in Anahiem or Chicago or somewhere, NYY werent going to sign him and that LaRussa was the next NYY manager.. Or, so Jay was told... Track record is not good this offseason Jay.. Sorry..

 

[Diamondback Jay]

Im not sure I believe what Jay is selling either.. Earlier he swore up and down that A-Rod would end up in Anahiem or Chicago or somewhere, NYY werent going to sign him and that LaRussa was the next NYY manager.. Or, so Jay was told... Track record is not good this offseason Jay.. Sorry..

First off, I never swore up and down about A-Rod was going to wind up anywhere. I also stated that there was little chance of him winding up in Chicago. I did mention that there were rumors the Mets and Angels were both looking at him, which is true and accurate, but I never guaranteed anything other than the fact that he wouldn't go to Boston.

Instead of me paraphrasing...

There have been several rumors circulating the wire that I've heard in recent weeks.
Rumor 1

A-Rod goes to the Mets, who would then turn and trade Jose Reyes, Lastings Milledge, Phillip Humber and Kevin Mulvey (pitching prospect out of Villanova, projected as a #4-#5) to Minnesota for Johan Santana. It seems crazy, but with the Mets looking to make a splash as they prepare to head in to their new stadium, along with the on going efforts to steal headlines from the Yankees, this seems to be the way to do it.

Rumor 2

A-Rod goes to Anaheim to play for the Angels, gets a 7 year deal at roughly 200 million, also gets part ownership in the team. Arte Moreno doesn't seem at all reluctant to pull the trigger on such a move.

Both proved to be nothing more than rumors... Thus be the life in baseball, everything is a rumor until it becomes proven fact. As for LaRussa, that was nothing more than an educated guess, and I never indicated that there was any inside information on that. My exact words..

Good Bye Torre.... Hello LaRussa.

Not exactly putting my neck out there with this one.

Also, I worded that initial post in the thread in a wrongful way.. Putting it mildly, the only way Upton and Young are headed to Oakland is if Arizona gets BOTH Blanton and Haren, which is about as likely as the Cards sending Pujols here.

What I was intending to pass along (I was at work when posting, sorry..) Oakland DID ask for Upton and Young at one point or another in negotiations, Arizona's emphatically refused to part with either. More or less, the context of the comment was that Oakland's high demands for Haren are holding up any possible deal. He's not coming cheaply. The only rumor I WILL tell you that has been floated around was the one stated at the end of that post.

 

[Gee!]

Easy there Jay lmao..

And I still dont believe you..

 

[overseascardfan]

Here's my trade proposal to OAK I feel this is very fair.

ARZ trades Gonzalez, Parra, Montero, Scherzer, & Anderson

OAK trades Haren & Blanton

We basically keep this year's team together and add a #2 & #3 starter behond Webb.

Oakland gets our Top 4 prospects & a C in Montero.

 

[sundevil04]

Go

Why isn't anyone mentioning C.Carter int he deal, I have a hard time believing we didn't make that arlos Gonzalez trade as a cog in this deal
________
Dc medical marijuana

 

[Diamondback Jay]

I wouldn't be in the least bit surprised if Carter winds up in the deal. Everything I hear, this guy's a prototypical DH anyhow.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

One Major League source said that the D-backs were close to a multiteam deal that would have involved the Tampa Bay Rays, but it fell through.


All in all, the week left the D-backs feeling unsatisfied.


"These are long days; you put a lot into it," Byrnes said. "When a deal gets pretty close and ultimately looks like it's not going to happen, it is frustrating. There's a lot of work that goes into it."

http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com...t_id=2319941&vkey=news_ari&fext=.jsp&c_id=ari

 

[The Commish]

3:26 p.m., from Jerry Crasnick
• The Diamondbacks and Athletics left Nashville with the understanding that they have lots of common ground on pitcher Dan Haren. Oakland is amenable to trading Haren, and Arizona (with outfielder Carlos Gonzalez and others) has more than enough prospects to keep A's GM Billy Beane engaged. An official with one of the clubs said it's "realistic'' to believe a deal can get done. But it probably won't happen until Johan Santana's status is decided one way or the other -- which could be a while.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=winter_meetings

 

[Diamondback Jay]

3:26 p.m., from Jerry Crasnick
• The Diamondbacks and Athletics left Nashville with the understanding that they have lots of common ground on pitcher Dan Haren. Oakland is amenable to trading Haren, and Arizona (with outfielder Carlos Gonzalez and others) has more than enough prospects to keep A's GM Billy Beane engaged. An official with one of the clubs said it's "realistic'' to believe a deal can get done. But it probably won't happen until Johan Santana's status is decided one way or the other -- which could be a while.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=winter_meetings

This definitely makes sense on Oakland's perspective. They want to wait for Santana to get dealt to call the shots. Once Santana's traded, Haren becomes the best available pitcher (some say value for value, he's the best NOW) and Beane going to be crafty in trading him.

Switching topics, I'm actually pretty interested in seeing if Arizona's Rule 5 pick Baltazar Lopez can bounce back. In '05 and parts of '06, he was a Top 20 prospect but has fallen off a bit after getting busted in the steroid scandal. I still think he's got some upside left and am interested in seeing if he realizes it.

 

[devilfan02]

Here's my trade proposal to OAK I feel this is very fair.

ARZ trades Gonzalez, Parra, Montero, Scherzer, & Anderson

OAK trades Haren & Blanton

We basically keep this year's team together and add a #2 & #3 starter behond Webb.

Oakland gets our Top 4 prospects & a C in Montero.

PIPE DREAM

We would have to give up one of the untouchables (Young/Upton/Reynolds/Owings), maybe two of them plus the prospects, for that to happen. Your proposed trade will get us Haren

 

[The Commish]

Don't want/need Blanton if we land Haren.

 

[Gee!]

A's, D-Backs talking deal for Haren?

Friday, Dec 7, 2007 8:19 am EST

Boston.com reported the Oakland A's and the Arizona Diamondbacks have been involved in trade discussions which would send righty pitcher Dan Haren to the desert.

Sources indicate there is a long way to go before a deal could be struck, however, it appears Oakland would get Conor Jackson, Carlos Gonzalez, and two other players.

Arizona would get Haren, who was 15-9 with a 3.07 ERA.

Source: Boston.com

 

[devilfan02]

A's, D-Backs talking deal for Haren?

Friday, Dec 7, 2007 8:19 am EST

Boston.com reported the Oakland A's and the Arizona Diamondbacks have been involved in trade discussions which would send righty pitcher Dan Haren to the desert.

Sources indicate there is a long way to go before a deal could be struck, however, it appears Oakland would get Conor Jackson, Carlos Gonzalez, and two other players.

Arizona would get Haren, who was 15-9 with a 3.07 ERA.

Source: Boston.com

I hope we can find a way to hang onto Brett Anderson and Scherzer.

 

[Diamondback Jay]

I hope we can find a way to hang onto Brett Anderson and Scherzer.

I have a feeling that the Snakes are going to have to part with one or the other in order to make this deal work. I'm pretty certain that JB is hell bent against trading Scherzer, so if one gets parted with, it's likely to be Anderson.