After giving up the 13th overall pick in this summer’s draft to sign Zack Greinke, the Diamondbacks are not interested in parting with another choice, GM Dave Stewart tells MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert. That would appear to take Arizona out of the running for any of the remaining free agents who would require draft picks to sign since they rejected qualifying offers earlier at the outset of the offseason.
The D’Backs’ top remaining selection is a Competitive Balance Round A choice that currently rates as the 37th overall choice, though that number will change as QO-bound free agents pick their destinations. “We’re not going to give up the pick,” Stewart said. “It’s just tough after we’ve already given up our first pick. To give up our top two picks, that would be difficult for us to do.”
That stance would appear to put a damper on a report earlier today suggesting that the club was still in talks with infielder Howie Kendrick, who rejected a qualifying offer from the Dodgers. Stewart said there was appeal to adding a veteran infielder, “only just for the security of it,” but noted that the team still feels good about what it well get out of its younger position players. Notably, though he made clear that the team has no inclination to punt a pick, he did not rule out other avenues to acquiring an established player from that mold.
While it is not surprising to hear that the club values the draft pick, it is frankly somewhat surprising to hear Stewart rule out its sacrifice so conclusively. After all, that choice is far less valuable than the one already parted with. And while any other free agent would likely pale in comparison to Greinke in terms of expectations, Arizona has already sought to push up its competitiveness timetable by signing him and giving up a big haul for fellow righty Shelby Miller. There’s always a place to draw a line, of course, but this does seem like a somewhat curious place to make a firm stand.
It’s worth noting, in that regard, that this is the same team that arguably did not maximize its draft and international spending capacity last year. Arizona also traded its first-round choices from 2014 (Touki Toussaint) and 2015 (Dansby Swanson) in recent months. Of course, the organization has gone against the grain in numerous ways, and seen many of its decisions called into question, yet certainly looks to be in a stronger overall position than many would have anticipated this time last year.
Stewart went on to add that the Snakes are still looking for relievers, though he said there are some intriguing young in-house options that could compete for a spot. The Diamondbacks have been connected to a variety of names in trade scenarios, but it appears that the current asking prices are too high. “I can tell you it will be difficult to do it by a trade,” Stewart said. “So we’re going to look through the free-agent market and see what else is left. I think that’s the way it’s going to have to happen if we’re going to do it at all.”
I can’t wait to see how the Diamondbacks will turn out. However, I do think that they need to add another bat to take it to the next level. You have Goldy and Pollock as the main names but nothing too impressive beyond that although they do have some solid players? Yoenis Cespedes anyone? No draft pick attached.
That would be insane but I doubt it
Peralta also had a great season. If he can keep it up for a full season, that’s a nice lineup. Should be a fun season
I doubt they have the financial flexibility, but I had been wondering the same thing myself for the past couple of weeks. If they could find a way to dump Tomas and Hill’s salary that would be feasible and a wise move. One could hope. Peralta is a solid bat in the lineup as well.
Now that would be a great fit!
They can defer some money like Greinke’s contract. If they don’t strike now maybe take someone next year even though the free agent class is weak that year.
Fun Fact: D-Backs are still paying Randy Johnson and others deferred payments.
Fun fact, there is only one other player besides Zack receiving deferred payments from Arizona and his name isn’t Randy.
I definitely think that comment says they are looking at Cespedes.
I’m sure Dave Stewart wouldn’t want to handcuff his organization by losing the 37th pick, nevermind the fact that AZ will be paying Greinke $34 million for the next 6 years
Not much difference than paying 20 million for a “defensive specialist” in Heyward
Maybe it’s because Heyward is 26, hasn’t entered his prime.
Maybe it’s because Heyward averages 16 HR with a .353 OBP for his career and his 114 OPS+
OBP drives in ALOT of runs. STILL an overpay. Just asked Joey Votto about that OBP in the playoffs. I will still take the guy with 1.67 era.
Check out Heyward’s WAR before you criticize. He is worth far more 20 million per year as a 26 year old hitting the market even before taking into account his elite defense and potential for more on offense.
You mean “Hoping” for more offense?? Above Avg Defender, Bavg Pwr. You talk WAR/Babip,OBP all you want, but 20 million for a guy that can’t hit 20hrs or drive in 80 runs is an excessive overpay. Good for him though!
It sounds like you would fit in nicely in the dbacks front office baseballrat.
1
I hate it when my lead off hitter can’t drive in runs…
You’re not taking the guy with a 1.67 ERA, you’re taking the guy who’ll never have another season with a 1.67 ERA.
Reuben Amaro Jr.? Is that you?
Hello new troll.
Who are you to judge?
Are you some kind of expert?
The Cards / Nats bid higher on him.
Maybe not in your eyes but he has value.
Anyway It’s not your money so just go rant on twitter.
lol Heyward is a 5 tool player you dummy.
11hr is Bavg PWR big guy. You also think Swanson hitting .289 with 1hr in rookie ball is awesome, and predicted a sept call up this yr. whose the dummy? Just another “clueless” fan
Just stop. Swanson had 11 XBH in a whopping 83 at-bats. That’s equivalent to 80 XBH over the course of a 600 at-bat season. He also had a .394 OBP.
Only paying greinke 24 m per yr next 6 years. 62.5 m deferred to 2022-2026
Call me crazy but is the 37th pick that valuable? They went all in for Miller so 37th pick seems worth 1 more piece for 2016
My 2014 16th overall pick, 2015 1st overall pick, and 2016 13th overall pick are fair game but keep your filthy hands off of my 2016 37th overall pick.
Time will tell if Stewart and La Russa can really turn the D-Backs around, but it’s not too soon to say I’m confused as heck as to what their endgame is.
Ha ha!
Perhaps a smokescreen by the Diamondbacks regarding Howie Kendrick.
Poor D”Back fans. They go from Kevin Towers to someone who might very possibly be much worse.
Stewart traded a 5 WAR outfielder, 3 top 100 prospect, a starting SS for a utility man, a 3 starter and Robbie Ray.
Brixton, who is your team?? Unless it’s the Royals your team didn’t do squat
how does which team some random internet commenter matter in deciding whether or not Dave Stewart’s a good GM?
i mean, either way Stewart sold low on the team’s last 2 1st rounders and already signed away this years….
It matters cause I asked. Who are you Petrie? Comment police?
well, the part about the royals seemed to indicate you were attempting to use the information to somehow bring into question his knowledge or objectivity. Its almost as if you were suggesting only fans of the team that wins a world series have intelligent things to say about baseball
i’m not the comment police… just an observer curious about your choice of phrasing.
Brix sounded like the expert with his “Instant” analysis of the bad D’back trades b4 any games have been played or seasons completed
Baseballrat, sometimes you make a ton of sense with your comments but you are wrong for jumping on him here. Stewart told the world he was a fool when he traded Toissant for salary relief stating that he was only worth the value of his slot in the draft. That has to be the dumbest thing any GM has ever said. He proved how foolish he was with the Miller trade. Don’t get me wrong Miller is a very solid #3 pitcher. But, Stewert should have at least called another team like Cleveland or Tampa and asked what they would give him in return for that package. I guarantee he would have walked away with a way better pitcher than Miller. The Braves absolutely fleeced him and pretty much everybody (including the so-called talking head “experts”) agree on that. Greinke is a great pitcher but he can’t play everyday. For the same money they could have had Cueto and Leake (Leake even offered a discount) and kept his 13th overall selection. Personally, I would prefer to add 1 very good pitcher in Cueto and 1 young very solid pitcher in Leake than 1 great pitcher in Greinke. Had they gone that way he wouldn’t be getting ragged on so much these days.
Stewart made the worst move of the offseason in an offseason where a 66 year old Dusty Baker was hired to manage millennials.
Nice comeback. Don’t look at your teams questionable moves, just attack other teams for not being the champion. When the Dbacks don’t win the WS this year, are you going to be screaming for the heads of Stewart and TLR?
I’m not even DBack dude. I’m an Astros fan. I have when people claim to be experts
Hello Kettle this is Pot….you’re black
WOW!!! You HILARIOUS!
Towers was pretty bad.
http://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2014/9/23/6830419/kevin-towers-tenure-in-arizona-four-years-of-poor-trades
Stewart is starting out strong but might not last as long as Towers did.
I remember when Towers was GM for the Padres….
I know the season hasn’t started yet, but with the moves Stewart has been making, he’s either going to end up looking really bright or really dumb.
In regards to their endgame it makes sense to go for it now while Goldschmidt and Pollock are in their prime but as it stands now Pollock is a free agent in 2019 and Goldy in 2020. Can they afford to extend both at market value and pay greinke 34-35 mil a year? This off season has been crazy for the Snakes but it will be even more interesting to me to see how it all shakes out in 2-3 years down the line.
Very true. It will also be interesting to see how guys they parted with, like Swanson, end up turning out.
I hope really good for the Braves!
Jeff, I agree with your assessment that it seems quite odd for Stewart to say so adamantly that he won’t give up any more picks to sign a FA. With the approach the D’Backs have taken to bolstering the starting pitching, and with the fact they’ve traded away their top recent picks, one has to wonder if Stewart knows what he’s doing. Also, makes me wonder what LaRussa is doing behind the scenes.
They’re just prospects, although they are a valuable currency. If they never make it as successful regulars in the bigs, and the dbacks make the playoffs as a result of the moves nobody would complain then. It can go either way. That’s why they play the games.
Yeah, people will still complain. Swanson was awesome right off the bat. Your point would have slightly more weight behind it if he struggled, but there’s a solid chance we will see him in September this year. You don’t gut your farm like that for Shelby Miller.
Swanson hit .289 with 1hr in advanced Rookie Ball. C’mon, that’s not dominating. He will be lucky if he gets to Double A this yr.
You keep acting like SS put up power numbers? By the way Swanson’s ISO which accounts for all hits besides singles was .193 which is pretty good for a guy’s first season outside of college. He also put up a 14.5%BB rate which is also relatively pretty good. Mike Trout in comparison didn’t post an ISO above .163 until 2011 when he was in double A and had already been in the minors for a year and a half.
Again in context this is a SS and Shortstop’s either can’t hit or if they can they’re barely adequate fielders at the position. Having one that can both hit and play good defense at the position is very hard to come by.
First of Trout Came out of HS, Not college. Plus he drafted in the latter part of 1st round. My comment was in response to “just of fan “saying he”dominated last yr
Swanson is the real deal. He has a very good chance at getting a late year callup. Shortstops that hit like him don’t stay in the minors for long. Trea Turner was taken #14th? Overall in 2014 and he had a September callup this past season. Unless he dominates in ST he probably won’t make the opening day roster though. If Swanson gets a September callup this year that doesn’t mean he will start 2017 the Braves starting SS although since they are rebuilding there is a very good chance of that happening.
I just want to know why Dave Stewart or someone in the front office feels the need to relay everything to the media. Discussions involving them seem to be reported in a play by play fashion.
If they’re gonna go all in, they might as well do it. Kendrick is a great player and would suit them very well.
Here’s a better idea though
Yasmany Tomas had a .279/.319/477/.797 line vs. lefties last year.
David Peralta had a 325/384/.552/.936 line vs. righties last year.
Each had sub-.700 OPS marks vs other handed pitchers.
Why not platoon them and sign Cespedes? He wouldn’t cost a draft pick and would make that lineup incredibly threatening.
D backs have self imposed payroll limit of 100m for 2016 and roughly at 90 right now. They might sign a loogy or someone like will venable but unless they can go over 100 m that’s the level of signing still available to them. They didn’t go as all in as everyone thinks. They just got Zack to defer 62 m and overpaid for miller
Why would a team sign Greinke for 200 mill and then set a self-imposed payroll limit? Have they no clue how to win?
Good question. They set that limit prior to signing Greinke..
The Dbacks are essentially “all in” with signing grienke and reading for Miller. Their only chance at winning it all is signing another big free agent. If they don’t win it all everyone is gonna hate Stewart for trading so much young talent. Might as well sign someone else and really go for it and hope for the best
The Braves also received Aaron Blair (1st round (36th) of the 2013) in the great Miller Heist. So the Braves have the D-Back 2013, 2014, 2015 first round picks.
I love it! Thank you Diamonbacks!
Man that Shelby Miller trade… I can’t remember a SP trade so lopsided since Scott Kazmir for Victor Zambrano.
They completely botched last year’s draft. Might as well make the picks useful and sign a free-agent. This front office is in over their heads.
I agree we have went this far. We need to go all in now.
As a fan of the opposition, i find it strange after spending that $ and all those picks they wont take the next step. Scoop up Howie and Cepedes. After all in 4 years the D backs will be dead trying to rebuild. Might as well truly go all in.