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Socrates Brito Undergoes Surgery For Broken Hamate

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Diamondbacks outfielder Socrates Brito underwent surgery today after being diagnosed with a broken hamate bone, the club announced. He suffered the injury preparing for winter ball, per the release.

Brito, 24, is expected to play a significant role in Arizona’s outfield mix in the near future. There’s little reason to believe the injury will prevent him from returning to the majors in 2017, though the lost development opportunities — and, perhaps, a delayed start to Spring Training — certainly harm his hopes of cracking the roster out of camp.

Entering the 2016 season, Brito was seen by many as a breakout candidate. He had shown well in a brief debut the season prior, and an opportunity opened when A.J. Pollock went down late in the spring. But Brito ended up taking only 97 MLB plate appearances, posting an anemic .179/.196/.358 batting line.

Still, the Snakes’ new front office surely still hopes that Brito can make an impact at some point in the coming year. He did put up a useful .294/.322/.439 slash in his 317 Triple-A plate appearances, and he’s viewed as a quality defender.

Phillies Hire Bryan Minniti From Diamondbacks; Arizona Hires Jared Porter From Cubs

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7:43pm: Minniti had a two-year offer to stay in Arizona, per Jon Heyman of Fan Rag (via Twitter), but elected to seek a new opportunity elsewhere.

2:13pm: A pair of notable front office changes took place today, as the Phillies announced that they’ve hired D-backs assistant GM Bryan Minniti as a special assistant to general manager Matt Klentak. The Diamondbacks clearly already had a replacement for Minniti lined up, however, as they announced this afternoon that they’ve hired Cubs director of professional scouting Jared Porter and named him senior vice president and assistant general manager.

The moves come as just one in a flurry of promotions and hires for each team. Philadelphia has promoted Jorge Velendia to the same title as Minniti, hired a “Mental Skills” coach and made yet another add to its ever-growing analytics department, as PhillyVoice.com’s Ryan Lawrence explores in greater detail. The D-backs, meanwhile, announced that they’ve promoted director of player personnel Mike Bell to vice president of player development and named former Major League infielder Josh Barfield their new assistant director of pro scouting.

Minniti will bring the Phillies an executive with seven seasons as an assistant general manager under his belt. He comes from an analytical background, having double-majored in mathematics and statistics at the University of Pittsburgh and has been working in front offices since being hired as an intern by the Pirates back in 2001. The 36-year-old worked with the D-backs for the past two seasons and spent the previous five years with the Nationals, working on matters such as statistical analysis, budgeting and contract negotiations, per Arizona’s media guide.

The addition of Porter to the D-backs’ front office, meanwhile, gives the team another big-name executive with Red Sox roots to add to its leadership group. Porter was the Cubs’ scouting director this past season but is quite familiar with newly minted Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen and newly hired assistant GM Amiel Sawdaye from the time the trio spent together with the Red Sox. Porter spent a dozen years working in the Red Sox organization and was the team’s director of pro scouting from 2012-15.

Diamondbacks Name Torey Lovullo Manager

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4:55pm: Arizona has announced the hiring. Lovullo will receive a three-year deal, according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic (via Twitter).

12:03pm: The Diamondbacks will hire Red Sox bench coach Torey Lovullo as their new manager, reports John Gambodoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM in Phoenix (via Twitter). Lovullo, who obviously has a strong connection with former Red Sox GM and newly minted Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen, has long been rumored to be the favorite for the managerial vacancy that opened when the D-backs fired Chip Hale at season’s end. The D-backs were said as of yesterday to be choosing between Lovullo and their own Triple-A manager, Phil Nevin.

Lovullo has been Boston’s bench coach for the past four seasons and comes with quite a bit of managerial experience, albeit most coming in the minor leagues. Lovullo spent 10 seasons as a minor league skipper between the Indians and Red Sox organizations and also acted as interim manager for the Red Sox while John Farrell underwent treatment for lymphoma late in the 2015 season. Lovullo has long been touted as a managerial prospect and was reportedly one of two finalists for the Twins’ vacancy before the team hired Paul Molitor prior to the 2015 season.

With Lovullo joining the Diamondbacks, the Red Sox have now lost three highly influential organizational figures to Arizona in a span of mere weeks. Hazen left his post as the Red Sox GM to take the same title with the D-backs, and while the move isn’t a promotion in the sense of title, it certainly is in terms of responsibility; Hazen was the clear No. 2 to president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski in Boston but is the top decision-maker in his new role with the Snakes. Additionally, now-former Red Sox vice president of international/amateur scouting Amiel Sawdaye followed Hazen to Arizona, where he’ll serve as a senior vice president and assistant general manager.

Diamondbacks Claim Jeremy Hazelbaker

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The Diamondbacks have claimed outfielder Jeremy Hazelbaker off waivers from the Cardinals, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (via Twitter). He represents the first player acquisition for new GM Mike Hazen.

[RELATED: Updated Diamondbacks Depth Chart]

Hazelbaker debuted last year in St. Louis at 28 years of age, breaking onto the scene with an unexpectedly hot start. He ultimately came back down to earth, though, and ended the year with a cumulative .235/.295/.480 slash and 12 home runs over 224 plate appearances. Hazelbaker’s sub-par on-base percentage and 28.6% strikeout rate raise questions about whether he can produce consistently at the big league level — particularly if he isn’t able to maintain a lofty .245 isolated power mark.

While there is cause for pessimism in a player who has never really been seen as much of a prospect and wasn’t able to crack the majors until his age-28 campaign, there are also some reasons for hope. Hazelbaker has abused Triple-A pitching since coming to St. Louis in the middle of the 2015 season, and has shown some pop at times in the past. Plus, the lefty hitter was much better against right-handed pitching, suggesting he could have some platoon function.

It’s not yet clear just what Arizona intends to do with Hazelbaker, but he could certainly share time in a corner outfield spot or play off the bench. David Peralta is the team’s only established, southpaw-swinging outfielder, though youngster Socrates Brito also saw a good bit of major league time last year and players like Zach Borenstein may be ready to challenge for an opportunity.

Angels Claim Vicente Campos From Diamondbacks

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The Angels announced that they’ve claimed right-hander Vicente Campos off waivers from the Diamondbacks this afternoon. Campos was originally acquired by Arizona in the trade that sent Tyler Clippard to the Yankees over the summer, but ended up undergoing surgery for a fractured ulnar this September that came with an expected eight-month recovery time, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic notes on Twitter.

The 24-year-old Campos made his Major League debut this season, tossing 5 2/3 innings of relief for Arizona (in one appearance) and allowing three runs on four hits and two walks with four strikeouts. He pitched across three minor league levels this season between the D-backs and Yankees systems, ultimately spending most of his time at Double-A. In 142 2/3 minor league innings this year, Campos notched a 3.22 ERA with 7.6 K/9 against 2.7 BB/9.

Originally a Mariners farmhand, Campos went to the Yankees along with Michael Pineda in the now-lopsided Jesus Montero trade. MLB.com rated him 14th among Yankees prospects midway through the season and noted that he has the potential for three average-or-better offerings but also comes with serious durability concerns. That he was able to total a combined 148 1/3 innings between the Majors and minors this year — easily a career-high — bodes well for an Angels team that is in unequivocal need of pitching depth if he can recover from his surgery. Campos may not be ready to open the season on a big league pitching staff, as he has just 6 2/3 total innings at Triple-A in his career and will still be returning to full health, but he could eventually emerge as an option for the Halos next season.

Diamondbacks, Rockies Close To Hiring Managers

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9:08am: The D-backs are choosing between Lovullo and their Triple-A manager, Phil Nevin, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today (Twitter link). They and the Rockies are likely to hire managers within the next 24 to 48 hours, per Nightengale. Wakamatsu, Marlins bench coach Tim Wallach, Cubs bench coach Dave Martinez and Indians first base coach Sandy Alomar Jr. are among several candidates who have come up as possible successors to Walt Weiss in Colorado.

7:52am: The Diamondbacks have already taken executives Mike Hazen (general manager) and Amiel Sawdaye (senior vice president/assistant GM) from the Red Sox in recent weeks. Next to emigrate from Boston to Arizona could be Red Sox bench coach Torey Lovullo, who interviewed for the Diamondbacks’ vacant managerial position Sunday, reports Evan Drellich of the Boston Herald.

The 51-year-old Lovullo has been regarded as the favorite for the Arizona job since Hazen took over the club’s baseball operations Oct. 16. Lovullo’s experience as a manager includes several minor league stints and interim work with the Red Sox in 2015, when skipper John Farrell was undergoing treatment for lymphoma. If Lovullo does join the Diamondbacks, he won’t be able to pilfer anyone from Farrell’s coaching staff to join him in Arizona, according to Drellich.

Lovullo is the third known managerial candidate who either has interviewed or will meet with the D-backs, joining Royals bench coach Don Wakamatsu and broadcaster/former major league player Alex Cora. There could be more names, too, as Hazen has expressed a desire to interview five to seven candidates.

Latest On Diamondbacks’ Managerial Search, Front Office Changes

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Here’s the latest on the Diamondbacks’ hunt for a new manager, via Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic:

  • It’s possible the D’backs have already interviewed most of their candidates, Piecoro writes. Those include Red Sox bench coach Torey Lovullo (who is perceived to be the favorite), broadcaster and former big-leaguer Alex Cora, Royals bench coach Don Wakamatsu and Triple-A manager Phil Nevin, whose candidacies have been noted elsewhere.
  • Piecoro also adds a new name: that of Cardinals bench coach David Bell. Before taking his current position, Bell had previously served as an assistant hitting coach with the Cardinals, a third base coach with the Cubs and a minor-league manager with the Reds.
  • New Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen came from the Red Sox and has thus been strongly connected to Lovullo, with whom he had also previously worked in the Indians system. Hazen says that dynamic has had no impact on the interview process, however. “People can read or interpret how they want to,” says Hazen. “I don’t think any of that is fair, but it hasn’t been something that has been a major factor. It’s our responsibility to hire the best manager for the Arizona Diamondbacks. That’s the only way I’m looking at it.”
  • Piecoro confirms that pro scouting director Mike Russell has left the organization to take a job with the Tigers, for whom he worked from 2012 through 2014. Robert Murray of Today’s Knuckleball had previously reported Russell’s departure.
  • Of Ed Lewis, the former veterinarian who until recently headed the Diamondbacks analytics department, Hazen says, “I feel like there are just going to be some avenues that we want to explore on that side of the game that maybe bringing in people who are a little more specialized in certain things and maybe rebuild the department in a different way.” Lewis recently left the organization in the wake of recent changes to its front office.

Rockies, Diamondbacks To Interview Don Wakamatsu

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Royals bench coach Don Wakamatsu is set to interview for both the Rockies’ and Diamondbacks’ managerial positions, reports FanRag’s Jon Heyman.

The 53-year-old Wakamatsu has previous experience as a major league skipper, having served in that role with the Mariners from 2009-10. Seattle went 85-77 under Wakamatsu in his first year at the helm, but the club fired him in August 2010 after spiraling to a 42-70 mark. Wakamatsu then worked for both the Blue Jays and Yankees before joining Royals manager Ned Yost’s staff in 2014.

Wakamatsu is the latest of several names connected to Colorado’s job, which the club has been looking to fill since parting with Walt Weiss earlier this month. Heyman reported Saturday that Indians first base coach Sandy Alomar Jr. and Cubs bench coach Dave Martinez are likely to interview with the Rockies after the World Series. The team also has a meeting planned with Marlins bench coach Tim Wallach, and former Padres manager Bud Black, ex-Astros skipper Brad Mills and Rockies Triple-A manager Glenallen Hill are on the radar.

Arizona, meanwhile, has already booked an interview for the upcoming week with broadcaster and former major leaguer Alex Cora. He and Wakamatsu could end up in a five- to seven-candidate race as new general manager Mike Hazen searches for a successor to Chip Hale. Red Sox bench coach Torey Lovullo, whom Hazen knows from his time as Boston’s assistant GM, is the favorite to land the job.

Diamondbacks To Interview Alex Cora For Manager’s Job

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The Diamondbacks are beginning the interview process to find their next manager, and broadcaster and former big leaguer Alex Cora will talk to the team this week about the position, Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports.  Cora has never managed or coached at any level in the majors or minors, though he received consideration for several recent managerial openings last offseason.  Cora interviewed with the Padres, Marlins and Nationals, and was also linked to the Mariners’ job in rumors.

The 41-year-old Cora gained a strong reputation as a teammate and student of the game during his 14-year playing career from 1998-2011.  Two of the six teams Cora played for during his career, Heyman notes, connect him with D’Backs GM Mike Hazen.  Cora played for the Indians and Red Sox from 2005-08, when Hazen was in Cleveland’s front office before joining the Red Sox in 2006.

In his post-playing career, Cora has worked as a radio and TV analyst for ESPN and ESPN Deportes since 2013, and also served as the general manager of Criollos de Caguas, his hometown team, in the Puerto Rican Baseball League.  Cora will be the GM for Puerto Rico’s team in the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

Cora is the first known candidate for the D’Backs job, as Hazen has indicated that he would like to talk to roughly 5-7 candidates before making a hire.  Red Sox bench coach Torey Lovullo has been heavily rumored as the favorite to be Arizona’s next skipper, with Heyman noting earlier today that “it would be an upset” if anyone but Lovullo was hired.

Heyman On Ramos, Duda, Colon, Lovullo, Fowler, Cubs

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Jon Heyman covers World Series news, a profile of Andrew Miller’s career and development into a relief ace and some hot stove items in his latest two columns for FanRag Sports…

  • Prior to tearing his ACL, Wilson Ramos was aiming at a $100MM contract in free agency.  It’s an eye-popping number, as Joe Mauer ($184MM from the Twins) and Buster Posey ($167MM) are the only catchers to crack the nine-figure threshold.  Both of those deals were extensions rather than free agent contracts, and both Mauer and Posey had more consistent track records than Ramos.  It’s quite common for a player and his representatives to aim high with an initial asking price, of course, especially when that player is the top free agent at his position.  Injury notwithstanding, Ramos is still expected to receive significant interest, to the point that he is still looking for four or five years on the open market.
  • The Mets will indeed tender a contract to first baseman Lucas Duda.  MLBTR projects Duda to earn $6.7MM in arbitration this winter, following a rough year that saw Duda spend much of the season on the DL due to a stress fracture in his lower back.  He hit just .229/.302/.412 with seven homers over 172 PA in 2016, though given the first baseman’s strong production in previous seasons, the Mets are surely counting on a bounce-back next year when Duda is healthy.
  • “Nothing’s close” on a reunion between the Mets and Bartolo Colon, though the team has interest in bringing the veteran back and “no one would be surprised” if the two sides work out another contract.
  • “It would be an upset” if the Diamondbacks hire anyone other than Red Sox bench coach Torey Lovullo as their new manager, Heyman writes.  Lovullo has been widely connected to the Arizona job from virtually the moment former Boston GM Mike Hazen took over as the D’Backs’ new general manager.  Hazen does plan to interview between 5-7 candidates as part of a managerial search, and as of last Tuesday, the D’Backs hadn’t yet asked the Sox for permission to speak with Lovullo.
  • One executive suggests Dexter Fowler should accept the Cubs’ qualifying offer, though Heyman believes the center fielder can top the one-year, $17.2MM offer in free agency.  I agree with Heyman; while the QO limited Fowler’s market last winter, his outstanding season for the NL champions should easily net him a nice multi-year deal this offseason.
  • Assuming Fowler leaves, Heyman notes that the Cubs face an “interesting” outfield situation with Kyle Schwarber, Ben Zobrist and Jason Heyward all best suited to playing the corners.  It should be noted that Chicago faced a similar scenario last winter prior to Fowler’s unexpected return, as the Cubs had Schwarber and Jorge Soler lined up for the corner outfield spots and Heyward was going to play center.  Heyward has posted excellent defensive metrics over his brief (404 innings) time as a center fielder during his career, though since Heyward is arguably the best defensive right fielder in the game, any lessening of his value could be a problem given how badly Heyward fell off at the plate this year.  The versatile Zobrist is now locked into outfield duty with Javier Baez’s emergence at second while Soler and Albert Almora are also in the outfield mix, so the Cubs are fully stocked with outfield options.
  • The Blue Jays have parted ways with scout Ed Lynch.  Best known as the Cubs’ GM from 1994 to 2000, Lynch had been working as a scout for the Jays since 2010.
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