Diamondbacks president and CEO Derrick Hall told fans in an MLB.com chat today that cutting down on strikeouts next year is essential for the D'Backs, whether it be "by new approach or by player personnel moves." Here are a few other Arizona-related items of interest:
- Pitching will be the main priority this winter, with Hall suggesting the team will "fix the bullpen and add a starter." Hall notes that new GM Kevin Towers is a believer in first improving the back end of the bullpen and eventually working toward the rotation.
- Arizona plans to have Kelly Johnson in its Opening Day lineup next spring. Johnson, a potential trade candidate, enjoys playing in Arizona, according to Hall.
- Top prospect Jarrod Parker appears to be recovering nicely from Tommy John surgery, throwing his fastball in the mid-90s in an Instructional League game today. Still, Hall doesn't think Parker will be competing for a rotation spot in the spring; he expects the right-hander to start the season in the minors.
- Brandon Webb also pitched in Instructional League action today, allowing three hits and a pair of runs in two innings of work, according to the team's official Twitter feed. John Tomase of the Boston Herald writes that 21 teams were in attendance to scout Webb, who will now be shut down until January, according to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert.
As a D-backs fan, I would love to see Johnson back in the lineup next year. Since O-dog left, we have not had consistent production from second, unless you count Lopez, who only spent a half season with us. Considering all that Kelly has done, I think he is in line for an extension.
What is a mutual option?
A mutual option is one that requires both the club and the player to agree in order for the extension to kick in. It’s kind of silly, really, unless there is some sort of vesting clause that triggers the option to kick in from at least one side. It’s sort of an expression that they like each other at the time the contract is signed, but either side can split when it’s over. Kinda like a marriage, eh?
Normally there’s a clause in it that if a player declines a mutual option, it’ll be something like a $500K bonus, but if the team declines it, it would be $2MM.
At least, that’s what I think most of the time.
Webb: so much for that idea. Sounds like the audition didn’t go very well.
He wants the base salary that Sheets and Bedard got? I wouldn’t mention those names too loudly, if I were his agent. I’d entertain the idea of signing Webb if I knew he could get somewhere close to his former self. As of now, there’s no reason to believe he can.
Webb has been shut down for two years now. Any more shut down and he might as well be retired.
Webb is the Ford of pitchers: Helluva pitcher, but once he breaks he’s impossible to fix.
Webb should consider himself lucky to have played the game and walk away. He pitched 4 innings in the past 2 seasons. He has shoulder problems (Mark Prior anyone?), not elbow problems. He had a nice ride while it lasted, but he’s done.
Thanks guys just wanted to clear that up.