Diamondbacks Trade Rumors

GM, CEO are D-Backs part owners
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January 5
Arizona Republic
 
"In the wake of Jeff Moorad's departure to head an ownership group in San Diego, some have wondered whether his most trusted executives in Arizona might follow him out the door. But General Manager Josh Byrnes and President and CEO Derrick Hall seem unlikely to leave anytime soon, if only for this previously unreported reason: Both have ownership stakes in the Diamondbacks. Small stakes in ownership were included in the eight-year contracts the two received in February, commitments that run through 2015. Moorad negotiated both deals. Byrnes and Hall declined to comment. "They are extremely valuable guys and we have them under long-term contracts and I'm glad we do," said Managing General ..."
D-Backs, Snyder near 3-year deal
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December 24
Arizona Republic
 
"The Diamondbacks are close to locking up catcher Chris Snyder with a multiyear contract, a deal that could be announced next week. Snyder and the team have agreed to the framework of a three-year extension that runs through 2011 with a club option for 2012. The value of the deal is not known, but it is believed to be worth around $14 million guaranteed. With the option, the total value of the contract could exceed $20 million. With the agreement, the club gets cost certainty while buying out perhaps two years of free agency; Snyder, who would have been arbitration eligible the next two years, gets the security of a long-term deal. In four full years in the majors, Snyder, 27, has gone ..."
Ricciardi hints at interest in Hudson
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December 22
Sportsnet.ca
 
"The Toronto Blue Jays came away from the winter meetings empty handed, but general manager J.P. Ricciardi is hinting at interest in a trio of high-profile free agents still on the market. In an interview with the Boston Globe, Ricciardi said the Jays are not opposed to signing a free-agent, but they will have to be creative financially in order to do so. "Orlando Hudson is out there. Jason Giambi is out there. We'll have to see who's out there still when the music stops and see who we might be able to get," Ricciardi said. According to the story, Ricciardi was told to cut team payroll by $20 million for 2009 to $85 million. Burnett's departure will save him $12 million."
D-Backs near 1-year deal with Clark
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December 20
Arizona Republic
 
"Diamondbacks General Manager Josh Byrnes said he continues to make progress in discussions with first baseman Tony Clark about a one-year deal for next season. "Tony and I have talked," Byrnes said. "We're not all the way there. We've kept the dialogue moving." Clark likely will receive a deal worth less than $1 million to fill the bench role he has had with the Diamondbacks for much of the past four seasons. The organization also values Clark's leadership ability in the clubhouse, particularly with Orlando Hudson's departure as a free agent. Last year, he hit .225 with a .359 on-base and a .318 slugging in 151 at-bats between the Diamondbacks and Padres, who shipped him back to Arizona ..."
Big Unit would be good fit for Giants' staff
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December 14
Oakland Tribune
 columnist Monte Poole
"BRIAN SABEAN always understood the idea of bringing CC Sabathia to the Giants was unrealistic for a long list of reasons, beginning with the contract the organization lavished upon Barry Zito. Zito's $126 million deal, with five seasons to go, strangles many possibilities. The general manager couldn't justify allotting one-third of his payroll, through at least 2013, for two pitchers. Not with such a sorry offense and not when he knows he absolutely must re-sign Tim Lincecum. So let's stay within the bounds of reason and consider possibilities that actually are logical and conceivable. Like Randy Johnson. He's available, interested, probably affordable and, most of all, abundantly useful. ..."
Agent: S.F. has 'a lot of appeal' to Big Unit
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December 11
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Randy Johnson is being wooed by both Bay Area teams. He seems to prefer the Giants. "Randy's really interested," one of his agents, Barry Meister, said Thursday, the final day of the winter meetings. "We made a check list of everything that's important, and San Francisco checks off on every box. They're in the National League. They'll be competitive. They train in Arizona. "San Francisco has a lot of appeal." Asked specifically about Johnson's interest in the A's, Meister was not as direct, saying, "We're just trying to keep our options open." Giants general manager Brian Sabean is seeking a veteran starter to round out a rotation that includes Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez and ..."
D-Backs sign Ojeda, target Lopez
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December 11
Arizona Republic
 
"At least now no one can accuse the Diamondbacks of getting nothing done at the winter meetings. They finalized a one-year deal with utility infielder Augie Ojeda. Beyond that, there was a lot of waiting from the Diamondbacks on Wednesday at baseball's winter meetings, where offers had been extended to free agents Felipe Lopez and Arthur Rhodes, but no response had yet to come. Lopez is the latest infielder targeted to replace departing second baseman Orlando Hudson. Lopez, 28, has a reputation as being a frustrating player whose effort has been questioned, but also one with perhaps more upside than any other available second baseman. He has enough ability to make teams wonder if he can ..."
Rangers pursuing Randy Johnson
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December 10
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"Team president Nolan Ryan confirmed that the Rangers have had discussions with five-time Cy Young Award winner Randy Johnson. The veteran is a free agent and is one of two the Rangers are pursuing along with Ben Sheets. Ryan identified that duo as the two free agents the Rangers are willing to commit to. Ryan said Johnson would likely come on a short-term deal and would be a valuable asset to the Rangers' young pitchers"
D-Backs offer contract to reliever Rhodes
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December 10
East Valley Tribune
 
"The Diamondbacks' suite at the Bellagio overlooks Interstate 15, and the D-Backs really are tying to get into the fast lane here. They made a contract offer to left-handed reliever Arthur Rhodes on Tuesday and both sides believe it will be a quick process, with a decision perhaps as early as the end of the winter meetings on Thursday. "Generally, when you make an offer, you expect a rapid response," D-Backs general manager Josh Byrnes said. "We are talking," said Rhodes' agent, Dan Horwitz. The D-Backs also have spoken to the agents for lefties Joe Beimel and Alan Embree, although it is unclear if offers have been made. Cincinnati also had made an offer to Rhodes, according to published ..."
Melvin: Byrnes to start year on bench
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December 9
East Valley Tribune
 
"Two years after becoming the 11th player in major league history to hit 20 home runs and steal 50 bases in the same season, Eric Byrnes has become the Diamondbacks' 10th man. Conor Jackson will be the D-Backs' regular left fielder this season, manager Bob Melvin said Monday, and Chad Tracy will start at first, leaving Byrnes to fend for playing time at all three outfield spots. The majority of Byrnes' starts could come when Jackson takes a turn at first base to give Tracy time off against the occasional left-hander, Melvin said. Byrnes sees it as a challenge, Melvin said, and does not expect anything to be given to him after hamstring injuries plagued him all last season and caused him to ..."
D-Backs talking to Tony Clark
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December 9
East Valley Tribune
 
"The Diamondbacks have been in contact with free agent Tony Clark and appear to want him back in 2009. That would mark a turnaround from his odyssey last offseason, when they let him linger on the market to eventually sign with San Diego. "We've definitely been talking, and Tony has had several conversations with (general manager) Josh Byrnes," agent John Boggs said. "Tony would love to come back." The D-Backs re-acquired him at the All-Star break last year, and manager Bob Melvin values Clark as both a productive pinch-hitter/platoon player at first base and as a positive clubhouse presence."