The D’Backs have two fellas on our Out of Options list – pitchers Brandon Medders and Dustin Nippert. In the eyes of Nick Piecoro, there’s a decent chance the D’Backs trade one of ’em.
Nippert turns 27 in May. A TJ survivor, Baseball America wrote in their ’07 handbook that the tall righty has "top-of-the-rotation stuff." He could be a prize for a rebuilding team that could afford to keep him in the Majors all year. He’s yet to have much big league success.
Medders has a nice 3.36 career ERA in 131 innings of relief, but his K/BB has deteriorated over the years. The 28 year-old missed most of ’04 with labrum surgery, according to BA. They say he’s deceptive and possesses a decent sinking fastball and cutter.
Both these guys are interesting, with Nippert the upside choice. If the D’Backs do deal one of them I’m guessing it could be for a prospect or two.
