Offseason Outlook: Arizona Diamondbacks

I don't recall the exact figures, but didn't the d'backs say they were going in 3 year plans in terms of payroll? Something like 210 over 3 years? Anyone else know what I'm talking about?

No way the Royals trade Jose Guillen for Eric Byrnes. Guillen was at least a reasonably productive power bat, although that OBP was brutal at .300. Still, considering that Byrnes is coming off an injury, and is still owed 2/22 compared to Guillen's 2/24, they might as well just hold on to Guillen. Unless for some reason Dayton Moore thinks Byrnes would be a great fit on his team, which I don't anticipate.

I think that the Diamondbacks gotta look to move Byrnes contract but the Diamondbacks really need to add another starter so I wouldn't make left field such a priority. Maybe add a Juan Rivera type left fielder and put most of the money towards adding a pitcher.

Another one that is just an idea: Castillo and Heilman for Byrnes. The Diamondbacks could at least give Heilman a shot as a starter in one of the easier divisions to pitch in, and if he failed they could move him to the bullpen. Castillo for Byrnes is obviously a previously discussed premise for a deal, and I feel like this type of deal would be more realistically for Arizona.

Josh Byrnes is one of the top GM's; I think we'll all be surprised by how he goes about business this off-season.

'Awkward' is the perfect way to describe Eric Byrnes' situation. In my opinion, they have to trade him. Ideally, they could work out a salary dump somewhere and re-sign Orlando Hudson.

As far as the supposed $10MM they'll be spending, getting Carl Pavano on an incentive based 1yr deal wouldn't hurt; a trip back to the NL might be what he needs. He proved at the end of this season that he's healthy, just not effective. That's why they could grab him cheaply.

Tim, Here's an idea for a piece. A list of all 30 teams single worst contract in order of the contract's awfulness.

Staying in the NL West for worst contracts, I'd choose (in order) Barry Zito, Todd Helton, Juan Pierre, Eric Byrnes and Khalil Greene.

Those top three make Byrnes' contract look pretty solid. I only include Greene because the Padres have done a great job of staying away from crippling long-term contracts recently and 1yr/$6.5MM for Khalil is the worst they have.

The Jays don't really have a bad contract other than maybe BJ Ryan (who has positive value still), but if Aaron Hill can't return from his concussion then that will be a tough contract to swallow although the monetary value is small.

Definitely look for the DBacks to try to trade Chad Tracy but there may not be any takers so he may govern 1B while Connor Jackson relegates Eric Byrnes to the 4th OF slot by taking over LF.

Also, I'd look for Schlereth, the first round draft pick from this year, to take the mound in the majors at some point in 09. He was drafter high due to his ETA expectations.

Outside of how much I like Doug Davis, I think the idea of trading him so we can keep RJ for his swan-song year.

Any chance the D-Backs would move Conor Jackson? I could possibly see a David DeJesus for Conor Jackson swap.

If not, as a Royals fan, I would probably swap Jose Guillen for Eric Byrnes if the D-Backs threw in a Miguel Montero or even a Jamie D'Antona. But I'm probably more down on Guillen than the average Royals fan or management.

not as awkward as having Jones for $15+ MM and Pierre for $9MM......

especially if Colletti is able to sign Manny and keep Manny, Kemp and Ethier in the OF.

I like the idea of losing Davis to keep Johnson. Randy doesn't throw 100mph anymore, but he still strikes people out and gets at least 10 wins a year.

I don't think they need to keep Hudson and spend all of that money. They can go a lot cheaper by keeping a guy like Eckstein or staying in house with Ojeda.

If the Dbacks could dump Byrnes salary somewhere along with not resigning Hudson and trading Davis, they could have quite a bit of cash to go after a big bat and/or a closer who doesn't blow all sorts of saves.

I don't see them trading away any of their current young starters, because Josh wants to be a contender for the next 10 years and thinks he can with most of his current lineup.

viktor06- No way the DBacks would be even close to contending this year without Haren. And, the Quentin deal was independent of the Haren deal, even though Carter was flipped to the A's in the Haren deal

Luckily Haren wasn't a rental, they still have him, cheaply, for a while.

I just think they gave up on Quentin way too early. He was highly touted for years, struggled over like 200 at bats after coming back from injury and then Arizona was ready to deal him.

"Move Reynolds to second and
Upton to 3rd (He was a shortstop up until last year) then have Byrnes play right."

Most scouts don't believe that Reynolds is capable of playing good enough defense to be an everyday 2B.

And I think moving Upton from right field now would be a mistake, he's so young and still needs to develop as a hitter. In right field he can be an elite defender, where as moving him to third, best case scenario he becomes solid. And then there's the risk of screwing up his development by making him change positions again. I just think everyone is better served if the D-Backs keep Upton where he is..

How about this. Trade Chris Young now, before while he still has some value as a good glove in CF with speed and pop. The Yankees, Whitesox, A's, Mariners, Reds, Cubs, Astros are all teams that may have some interest. Try to get some young ML ready players, one ML ready starter, and one ML ready infielder. Maybe Chris Young for Homer Bailey and Jeff Keppinger. Move Upton to CF, bring back Randy. Trade Doug Davis for some bullpen arm somewhere. Trade Eric Byrnes, Brandon Lyon (or a different BP arm, doesnt matter much. Saw he was the moxt expensive) to the Mets for Luis Castillo, Aaron Heilman, and Nick Evans. Move Jackson to LF, platoon Evans and Tracy at 1B. With the money you save from getting rid of the Davis and Byrnes contracts, you could go after a RF like Bobby Abreu. You could keep Castillo on the bench or just dump him somewhere (I am assuming the Mets pickup atleast half the contract, even while taking back Byrnes whole deal).

SS Drew
2B Keppinger
RF Abreu
LF Jackson
1B Tracy/Evans
CF Upton
3B Reynolds (until he lowers the K's and improves his pitch recognition)
C Snyder/Montero

SP Webb
SP Haren
SP RJ
SP Scherzer
SP Heilman/ Bailey

The Dbacks management have already committed not to give players incentive deals. So it will not work to sign Carl Pavano or resign Randy to a one year incentive deal.