Looks like Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers may not have to dig deep into the organization for a fifth starter.
That’s because the D-backs wanted free agent left-hander Joe Saunders to remain with the team, and Saunders expressed a desire to remain in the desert. Until Jan. 17, when the 30 year old left-hander decided to sign a one-year deal with Arizona for a reported $6 million, Towers was thought to scramble throughout the organization to fill the open spot.
With Ian Kennedy, Daniel Hudson, Josh Collmenter and Trevor Cahill already secured in the rotation, Towers did not appear to have a strong sense of urgency to fill the last spot. With spring training rapidly approaching, the common wisdom was see how prospects like Trevor Bauer, Tyler Skaggs, Wade Miley, Patrick Corbin and Charles Brewer developed this spring, and then make a decision based on performance.
Then again, Towers tends to fill immediate holes with veteran players and never did give up on signing Saunders.
“Joe was an integral part of our success last season and will help stabilize the rotation next season,” Towers said in a statement released by the club. “We’re confident his veteran leadership, familiarity in the clubhouse and understanding of the culture we’ve built will help us continue working towards a championship.”
After missing two important weeks in spring training and getting off to an 0-5 start in 2011, Saunders rebounded and turned in a solid last four months of the season. In posting a 12-13 mark and 3.69 ERA, he reached a career high in innings pitched with 212 frames. He posted 20 quality starts and was one of 39 pitchers to reach at least 20 starts last season. Saunders also tied for second among left-handers with 33 starts, and tied for third with 28 grounded into double plays.
Towers now has his complement of starters and add three middle relievers in Craig Breslow, Joe Paterson and Takashi Saito and closers David Hernandez and J. J, Putz, that puts the pitching staff at 10. Manager Kirk Gibson said last spring training he was uncertain on the number of pitchers the Diamondbacks like to carry, 12 or 13. It’s likely two spots on the staff would remain open, and that brings the 2012 staff to 12 pitchers. That leaves 13 position players left to complete the opening-day, 25 man playing roster.
Given eight position players to play at any one time, and one reserve catcher, that leaves four on the bench. Among those with a likely ticket to the majors this spring might include Gerardo Parra, John McDonald, Lyle Overbay and Willie Bloomquist.
This scenario would take into effect assuming Stephen Drew returns from a serious right ankle fracture to play shortstop and Jason Kubel starts in left field.
At any rate, the starting rotation now appears set and the top pitching prospects gathered by Towers over the past year will likely continue to mature throughout the organization.
FAN FEST NEXT
The eighth annual SUBWAY® D-backs FanFest is slated for Saturday, February 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Chase Field.
The free event will offer fans access to current players, coaches, alumni and broadcasters, including autograph and photo sessions on the field at Chase Field.
Last year’s event drew an estimated 12,500 fans to Chase Field.
Among the D-backs players currently scheduled to attend include Willie Bloomquist, Geoff Blum, Craig Breslow, Sam Demel, Stephen Drew, David Hernandez, Aaron Hill, Daniel Hudson, Ian Kennedy, Jason Kubel, John McDonald, Wade Miley, Joe Paterson, J.J. Putz, Ryan Roberts, Bryan Shaw, Justin Upton, Chris Young and Brad Ziegler. Coaches expected to participate include Manager Kirk Gibson, Bench Coach Alan Trammell and Bullpen Coach Glenn Sherlock. Broadcasters Daron Sutton, Mark Grace, Greg Schulte, Tom Candiotti, Oscar Soria, Miguel Quintana and Richard Saenz will also be in attendance, as well as D-backs legend Luis Gonzalez.
Children 12 and under will receive free autographs in a special area, while others can receive access to autograph sessions with a $5 donation to the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation. The first 3,000 fans in attendance will receive a SUBWAY® cash card. Each custom card features the D-backs and is loaded with an amount ranging from $1 - $100.
Season tickets can be purchased during the event.
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