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Diamondbacks Set To Add Payroll, Says CEO

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TUESDAY 3:41pm: D-Backs' managing general partner Ken Kendrick says the payroll will likely increase to north of $75MM next year, according to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert. The payroll in 2009 was appoximately $73.5MM.

"We definitely have more than $10 million to spend in the market," Kendrick said. "There are other moves that we may make that could change the money landscape that have yet to be determined."

MONDAY 6:54pm: Arizona Diamondbacks President and CEO Derrick Hall said his team is "definitely adding to the payroll" during a web chat on MLB.com Monday.

Hall weighed in on a huge number of issues, including:

  • He wants to look at free agent starting pitchers, relievers, and a bench player. He expects most acquisitions to come through trades.
  • He believes both Juan Gutierrez and Esmerling Vasquez can pitch the sixth, seventh or eighth innings next season.
  • Only Brandon Webb, Dan Haren and Max Scherzer are guaranteed rotation spots in 2010. Billy Buckner, Kevin Mulvey, and possibly free agents could also be in the mix.
  • Stephen Drew "would be too tough to replace if we ever moved him."

Check out the full discussion. This is a great example of a team using new media to connect to fans.

Odds And Ends: Wagner, Red Sox, Scherzer

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An assortment of links to get the day started…

D-Backs Looking For A Fourth Starter?

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In this chat with fans, Diamondbacks CEO Jeff Moorad mentions that Max Scherzer will be the No. 5 starter for Arizona in 2009, and that the No. 4 starter will be "a player to be named." Could indicate they’re looking to acquire someone.

For D-Backs fans still hoping that someone will be Randy Johnson…don’t count on it:

We told Randy’s agents that we wanted to meet with him in-person. They told us that they would get back to us after he filed for free agency. We haven’t heard another word on the subject. We offered to pay Randy what we felt was fair and respect the fact that he chose to explore the market – he will always have a place here in Arizona.

Sarah Green writes for the Boston Metro and UmpBump.

Scherzer Open To Fall Ball

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Yesterday, Max Scherzer, in hopes of being in the Diamondbacks rotation in 2009, said, "If they want me to get more innings, I would be more than happy to go to the Arizona Fall League to obtain those innings."

In this piece by Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, it’s noted the Diamondbacks do not like to increase an innings count by more than 30 per season and Scherzer will be happy to finish around 60. According to Piecoro, Scherzer referenced a Sports Illustrated article – presumably Tom Verducci’s Year After Effect – and understands that having 60 major league innings under his belt does not guarantee he’ll be a starter next season.

The Diamondbacks conditioned Scherzer, a max-effort pitcher, as a starter in Triple-A, where he totaled 53 innings. If the Diamondbacks go ahead with having him pitch in the Arizona Fall League, I would expect them to monitor Scherzer’s workload and arm strength closely in 2009.

Mark Teixeira Rumors: Monday

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12:10am: SI.com’s Jon Heyman is hearing the Braves are locked in on the D’Backs, so I’m not sure who to believe.  Heyman believes the Rays could be the fallback.

11:42pm: Jack Magruder of the East Valley Tribune has a source saying there’s "no way" the D’Backs acquire Teixeira or Manny Ramirez.  The Braves proposed a package of Scherzer, Parker, and Tracy for Tex.  Sounds like these two teams are not close to being on the same page.

11:29pm: MLB.com’s Mark Bowman checks in.  His source says the Yankees, Rays, and Angels are more likely to acquire Teixeira than the D’Backs.  Frank Wren isn’t having the Tracy over Jackson idea.

11:06pm: Buster Olney heard from sources that the Braves are leaning toward the D’Backs.  He believes a deal could be structured around Tracy and a non-Scherzer pitching prospect.  Will Carroll believes the Braves have two solid offers and a third on the way, and Tex could be traded by tomorrow.

10:32pm: Ken Rosenthal has the D’Backs as frontrunners for Tex, noting that they’ll trade Tracy but not Jackson.  Micah Owings or a prospect not named Scherzer or Parker could also be included.  Tracy and Owings does seem superior to two draft picks.  Rosenthal notes that the D’Backs would not attempt to re-sign Teixeira after the season.  Meanwhile, Will Carroll heard that the Orioles and Dodgers also inquired.

9:39pm: Steve Gilbert of MLB.com has a source saying the D’Backs don’t want to part with Conor Jackson, Max Scherzer, or Jarrod Parker for Teixeira.

7:12pm: David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution talked to GM Frank Wren, who says the Braves have deals on the table right now for Teixeira.  Wren is still trying to find the best deal.

6:38pm: The Braves are now taking bids for Teixeira.  ESPN’s Jayson Stark says the teams in the mix are the D’Backs, Red Sox, Rays, and Angels.  Still, Arizona seems the most logical fit.  The Angels won’t trade Casey Kotchman, and the Braves don’t care for Kendry Morales.

5:08pm: According to Yahoo’s Steve Henson, negotiations between the Braves and Diamondbacks for first baseman Mark Teixeira are "pretty far along."  Henson talked to a front office source from another team interested in Tex.  The Braves reportedly want a prospect plus Chad Tracy or Conor Jackson. 

ESPN’s Keith Law wrote earlier today that the Braves have at least four suitors for Teixeira.

Olney’s Latest: Sexson, Ibanez, Ortiz

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Buster Olney’s blog post is overloaded with rumors today. Here’s a rundown:

  • Olney’s Speculation: Will the Red Sox will express interest in Khalil Greene with Julio Lugo on the DL for 4-6 weeks? Olney also wonders if the Dodgers will seek Huston Street if Takashi Saito is seriously hurt.
  • Scout Speculation:  Huston Street and Matt Murton to the Rays for prospects? 
  • Bobby Kielty was granted release by the Red Sox.
  • Richie Sexson could decide where to go based on greatest offered playing time.  I’d say that’s expected for a veteran starter.
  • Olney says that requests for Max Scherzer are keeping the Dbacks from making any moves, such as for Raul Ibanez.
  • David Ortiz is slated to return to the lineup on July 25th, which leaves the Red Sox less than a week to evaluate him and make a move if necessary.  Olney details some options:
    • Acquire a hitter during the waiver period after the deadline.  This would rule out comparable replacements such as Matt Holliday or Mark Teixeira.
    • Make a "preemptive strike" for Holliday or Teixeira costing them "at least one of their best prospects".
    • Target a "second or third tier bat" such as Ibanez or Xavier Nady.
    • Continue on with or without an effective Ortiz, hoping their offense is good enough.

Odds and Ends: Yorman, Hamilton, Ng, Carrasco

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Some odds and ends before you fire up the grill…

Rosenthal’s Latest: Krivsky, Scherzer, Edwin Jackson

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Ken Rosenthal has a new column up; let’s take a look.

  • Rosenthal gives a good refresher on July trade candidates; pretty much the names you’d expect.
  • Reasons for Wayne Krivsky’s firing are discussed.  By the way check out John Fay’s blog for some candid final comments from Krivsky.  One interesting note is that he had no extension talks with Adam Dunn.
  • The D’Backs could use Max Scherzer to strengthen their bullpen, or they could shop Chad Tracy for a reliever.
  • Rosenthal wonders whether the Nationals might consider the under-30 segment of the next free agent class.
  • Plenty of teams continue to express interest in the Rays’ Edwin Jackson.  Something has to give in their rotation when Scott Kazmir returns, but demoting Andy Sonnanstine to the pen would solve the logjam.

Odds and Ends: Lugo, Murton, Scherzer

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A handful of random links…

Odds And Ends: Crede, Marlins, Canó, Bonds

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Some interesting tidbits this afternoon before I check out:

  • Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that one of Brian Sabean’s top advisors, Ted Uhlaender, was present to witness Joe Crede’s homer off of Arizona’s Max Scherzer on Saturday.  Seems more and more likely, as Crede proves his back is fine, that he will be moved to the Giants.  Will the White Sox get Kevin Correia in exchange for Crede?  The White Sox need a back-of-the-rotation guy, and Kenny Williams and company think they can win this year.  So prospects probably won’t get it done.  While the Giants could conceivably use Rich Aurilia or Kevin Frandsen at third, Sabean will most likely be unable to resist Crede’s 2006.
  • Juan Rodriguez of the Sun-Sentinel digs up this little tidbit: The Florida Marlins haven’t signed a player to a multi-year contract since December 2005, when they signed Carlos Delgado to a four-year, $55MM contract, and Paul Lo Duca to a three-year, $18MM deal.  One would hope that this trend will end soon enough, and that owner Jeff Loria will open the purse strings for Hanley Ramirez when the time is right.
  • Tyler Kepner of The New York Times explores the relative surprise that Robinson Canó has been considering his draft position and reputation as a prospect, and details how frequently the Yankees almost dealt him before he made the big club.  Canó was nearly dealt for Alex Rodriguez, Carlos Beltrán, and Randy Johnson in different instances. 
  • AP Sports Writer Bob Baum explains that Bud Selig isn’t trying to keep Barry Bonds from being signed.  Selig stressed that each club is free to deal with whomever they please.

Posted by Matt Birt

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