Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic wrote Saturday about the tough decisions the D’Backs face on relievers Brandon Lyon and Jon Rauch.
With Lyon, the D’Backs have to decide whether to risk an arbitration offer. Would they want him back for ’09 on a $4-5MM contract? Lyon may make the decision easier for Arizona by falling out of Type B status. Then, there’d be no draft pick to gain. Lyon has a 7.52 ERA since June 1st.
Meanwhile Rauch’s contract requires the D’Backs decide on his 2010 option five days after this year’s World Series. The option is for $2.9MM; an easy call if you ignore Rauch’s last 20 innings or so.
The D’Backs also have Juan Cruz hitting free agency; he’s expected to sign elsewhere.
