Diamondbacks Trade Rumors

GM Byrnes refuses to talk coaching specifics
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September 28
Arizona Republic
 
"Diamondbacks General Manager Josh Byrnes wouldn't address specifics when asked about the makeup of next year's coaching staff, including hitting coach Rick Schu, who has caught criticism for the club's underperforming offense. "It's not a public forum of job review; I don't think that's fair," Byrnes said. "Any sense of us not having as good a year as we had is shared by everyone in the organization, certainly me included. "There's no question that this year, the playoffs aside, I think we should have had a better season, and we didn't. Obviously, we're going to take the steps to have a better year moving forward and beyond." Extra work Right-hander Max Scherzer might have made his final ..."
Montero may make move to 3rd base
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September 28
Arizona Republic
 
"A new wrinkle emerged this weekend about how the Diamondbacks could solve their 2009 lineup. Catcher Miguel Montero has been taking ground balls at third base for several weeks, and General Manager Josh Byrnes said Montero could be an option at the position next season. There could be situations next season when Montero plays third base and Mark Reynolds shifts to second, assuming Orlando Hudson departs as a free agent, as many expect. "It's a possibility," Byrnes said. "It's no rejection of him as a catcher, but it might be a way to get his bat into the lineup more. It might be a way to make our personnel fit with offensive and defensive considerations." The club would like him to see ..."
Scherzer willing to pitch in fall to boost innings
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September 21
Arizona Republic
 
"Right-hander Max Scherzer understands how young pitchers are usually handled and how innings totals tend to grow from year to year in increments rather than bursts. So with his season total hovering at 100 innings with one regular-season start remaining, he understands why additional starts in the Arizona Fall League might make some sense for a pitcher whom the club plans to move into the starting rotation next season. "If they want me to get more innings," he said Saturday, "I would be more than happy to go to the Arizona Fall League to obtain those innings." The Diamondbacks have discussed such a scenario internally but have not talked about it with Scherzer. Most teams, the ..."
'09 lineup could see major shuffle
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September 18
Arizona Republic
 
"Conor Jackson was back in the starting lineup Wednesday after missing the past five games with a sore right shoulder. But will he be back in left field beyond this season? Jackson has spent most of his time with the Diamondbacks at first base until moving to left this season when Eric Byrnes went on the disabled list with hamstring problems. "It's not going to be up to me, and I'll play wherever they tell me to play," Jackson said. "But I prefer outfield now. I like it there, and I'm getting more and more comfortable out there." It's impossible to tell how the Diamondbacks' roster will look next season. Adam Dunn, who has played the corner outfield positions and first base, is set to ..."
Melvin staying despite slump
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September 16
East Valley Tribune
 
"As if there were any doubt, the Diamondbacks will not make a scapegoat out of manager Bob Melvin despite a recent slump that has made them a long shot for the playoffs. Melvin's job is as secure as it always has been, a D-Backs source with intimate knowledge of the situation said Monday, only hours after Milwaukee made startling news by firing its manager, Ned Yost, with 12 games left in the regular season. The Brewers had lost four straight games, and seven out of eight, to fall into a tie for the NL wild-card lead with Philadelphia, after a similar second-half fade in 2007. The D-Backs have lost 15 of their last 20 games, going from 3 1/2 games ahead of Los Angeles in the NL West to 4 ..."
Hammock On The Way
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September 1
East Valley Tribune
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"Catcher Robby Hammock will join the D-Backs today, Melvin said, when major league rosters can expand to include any player on the 40-man roster. Hammock, who opened the season with the D-Backs and hit .171 in 41 at-bats, will serve as a third catcher. The D-Backs also announced they would recall Billy Buckner, Leo Rosales, Doug Slaten, Alex Romero, Jamie D'Antona and Josh Whitesell on Tuesday, after Tucson's season ends."
Several appear primed for call-up
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August 25
Arizona Republic
 
"With rosters expanding in a week, manager Bob Melvin gave some clues as to which players the Diamondbacks might add from the minor leagues Sept. 1. "We've discussed it some," Melvin said. "Obviously, a third catcher is important, another pitcher who can give you some length is important, another pinch-hitter off the bench, particularly right-handed, maybe another infielder." Certain players who fit those profiles would appear to be near locks for a promotion. Catcher Robby Hammock, infielder Jamie D'Antona and right-hander Max Scherzer have all been up at some point this season and seem safe bets to be recalled from Triple-A Tucson. Jesus Merchan is having the best season of any of the ..."
Ellis a possibility for Arizona?
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August 11
San Francisco Chronicle
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"The Diamondbacks announced that second baseman Orlando Hudson will miss the rest of the season with a wrist injury, and Arizona is likely to be looking for help at the position. There already is talk the Diamondbacks will pursue A's second baseman Mark Ellis when he becomes a free agent this winter, and if Ellis has cleared waivers, there is little doubt that Arizona would put in a call to the A's sooner. If he has not been run through waivers yet, the Diamondbacks would have to hope that Ellis falls to them when he does go on the wire, but other National League contenders could block that possibility. One major-league executive pointed out that the A's already snared many of Arizona's ..."
Upton could be near rehab stint
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August 8
Arizona Republic
 
"It has taken longer than expected, but Diamondbacks right fielder Justin Upton is starting to feel like himself again. For the first time since suffering a strained left oblique in early July, Upton hit on the field for a little less than 10 minutes Thursday. "It's a lot different to get out on the field and feel like you're a ballplayer again," he said. "Good to be out on a big-league field and start swinging again." Upton said he was taking his normal swing and didn't feel soreness or pain. Manager Bob Melvin thought Upton's swing looked good, including when he was driving balls over the fence. Melvin said the team will evaluate how he feels Friday before determining the next step. If ..."
Webb, team backed out of extension in June
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August 7
East Valley Tribune
 
"Brandon Webb confirmed he would have received about $54 million through 2014 on a contract extension that was negotiated but then tabled in June. Webb said talks broke down over smaller issues, after the money and terms were agreed upon, and it appears unlikely talks will resume during the season. "We did make progress working toward an agreement on Brandon Webb," D-Backs general manager Josh Byrnes said in an e-mail. "Negotiating in-season is always delicate, and we could not resolve enough issues to justify continuing the process in-season." Webb is to make $5.5 million in 2009, and the D-Backs have an option that is worth $9.5 million and growing for 2010. Webb already has earned an ..."
Webb: D-Backs pulled contract offer
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August 6
Arizona Republic
 
"After his 3-1, complete-game win over Pittsburgh on Tuesday night, right-hander Brandon Webb said he and the team had agreed to terms on a contract extension in June, only to have the Diamondbacks pull the offer. Webb is signed through 2009 with a team option for 2010. His extension would have been guaranteed through 2013. On his drive to the ballpark, he heard fans on talk radio calling him greedy and accusing him of not wanting to be with the Diamondbacks. He said that's not the case. "I just want to let fans know that I'm not the one who pulled it off the table," Webb said. "We just didn't see eye to eye on a couple of things, and that was it. I love Arizona, and this is my first ..."
Livan Large
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August 5
Rocky Mountain News
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"With Livan Hernandez clearing waivers today, any team that picks him up will have to pay only a prorated portion of the minimum $390,000. The Twins have to pick up the remainder of the $5 million contract. The Rockies will make a push. Several teams also will be pursuing Hernandez, including the Mets, who lost John Maine to an injury, and Arizona, which has Yusmeiro Petit in the rotation. Hernandez had the two best Coors Field games of his career last year with Arizona, but he is 4-5 with a 6.50 ERA lifetime. The question is whether time has taken its toll or if he just didn't fit in the AL (4-7, 6.64ERA in last 14 starts)."
D-Backs won't trade for Teixiera, Ramirez
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July 29
East Valley Tribune
 
"It appears Mark Teixeira and Manny Ramirez will not be Diamondbacks. The D-Backs have been linked to both sluggers in recent published reports, but a major league source with knowledge of the situation said there is "no way" either will end up with the D-Backs before the July 31 nonwaiver trade deadline. The D-Backs have had no discussions with Boston about Ramirez, the source said Monday, countering a report in the Providence (R. I.) Journal that said the D-Backs were believed to be one of four teams that contacted the Red Sox about Ramirez. "That's a non-issue," the source said. As for Teixeira, the D-Backs have had discussions with Atlanta for several days but have not found enough ..."
Haren, Team Still Talking
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July 28
East Valley Tribune
 
"While the trade deadline has kept the front office occupied, the D-Backs have remained in conversations with Dan Haren about a long-term contract extension. "Talks have progressed," said Haren, who was first approached a few weeks before the D-Backs played Oakland in mid-June. "It's been pretty much a continuous dialogue for a couple of months now. I'm pretty optimistic something will happen, but it's so hard doing stuff during this time. It's obviously a busy time for the team right now." Haren (10-5) took over the NL ERA lead at 2.56 in a 10-2 win over the Giants on Friday, his 10th consecutive quality start. He is to earn $5.5 million in 2009 with the D-Backs holding a $6.75 million ..."
Who could replace Tex?
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July 27
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
 
"It's decision time for the Braves, who have until Thursday at 4 p.m. to complete a deal to either add to their roster or build for the future by trading impending free agents Mark Teixeira, Will Ohman and Mark Kotsay. The potential centerpiece of a deal is Teixeira, the 28-year-old first baseman who is in his prime. The Braves could use a major-league ready first baseman in return, one who makes economic sense. Here are some first basemen from contending teams who have been linked to the Braves during this trading season. 1. Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox Age: 29 Salary: $3 million Eligible for free agency: after the 2010 season Stats: He is hitting .311 with 17 home runs and 68 RBIs. The 68 RBIs ..."
Teixeira rumors unfounded
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July 26
East Valley Tribune
 
"Reports linking the Diamondbacks to Atlanta slugger Mark Teixeira are unfounded, a highly placed D-Backs source said Friday. Both ESPN and MLB.com have reports that the D-Backs could make a strong play for Teixeira before the July 31 nonwaiver trade deadline, and both mentioned Conor Jackson as a possible trade partner. Chad Tracy%u2019s name also surfaced. A D-Backs executive called the speculation %u201Crumors without any real basis.%u201D An attempt to obtain Teixeira, who is a free agent after 2008, would fly in the face of the D-Backs%u2019 way of operating, which is to build for the future on a conservative, mid-market budget. Some believe Teixeira will seek a long-term contract ..."
Snyder on injury: 'Worst pain I ever felt'
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July 20
Arizona Republic
 
"The initial diagnosis was a left-testicular fracture. Later, Chris Snyder learned that part of his body was just badly bruised. Both made baseball fans cringe. Regardless of medical label, Snyder said Saturday he was sure of one thing: "I don't want anybody to ever experience that. That was the worst pain I ever felt in my life, hands down." After a rehabilitation start Friday night in Stockton, Calif., the Diamondbacks catcher expects to be activated for Sunday's game against the Dodgers."
Trades, cuts inevitable as M's look to '09
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July 17
Seattle Post-Intelligencer