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The first steps
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The initial action is usually the most uneventful.
True to this theory, the Arizona Diamondbacks started to construct the process, and establish plans for the season ahead with a few small steps.
The past season was neither kind nor eventful, and the D-Backs will now attempt to collectively extricate themselves from the demise of this past summer.
The 70-92 mark in 2009 represented the lowest win total since 65 victories in the first year of operation in 1998. Also, only Washington (59), Baltimore (60), Pittsburgh (62), and Kansas City (65) had fewer wins in 2009 than Arizona.
Still, the D-Backs have a certain corps of players from which management believes represents the foundation for 2010 and beyond. To chip away at layers, club officials began the process of clearing out "dead wood," and prepare for position battles in spring training.
The first to go was Chad Tracy, the D-Backs' seven round pick in the 2001 draft. Fighting various injuries the past three years, Tracy, as an outfielder, third baseman and first baseman, compiled a .237 average in 98 games, eight home runs and 38 runs batted in in 2009. Clearly, not the kind of production management sought, or stats which would keep him in the desert. The .237 was the lowest of his six years with the D-Backs, and as a result, management declined to exercise his option for 2010.
On the first days of free agency, Nov. 5, Tracy was effectively cut, and two promising outfielders, Trent Oeltjen and Alex Romero were optioned to AAA Reno. That could leave the door open for prospect Cole Gillespie, a 6-1, 205 pounder, whose hitting .333 in 13 games for Scottsdale of the Arizona Fall League. Gillespie could get a look as a reserve outfielder for 2010. Plus, the D-Backs have to make a decision on Conor Jackson, out for 2009 with Valley Fever, and whose future in baseball remains uncertain.
With three possible outfielders sent packing, Gillespie, originally a draft pick of Milwaukee, could open some eyes in spring training. As well, the D-Backs may have one more year of patience with Eric Brynes, who is signed through 2010, but missed significant portions of the last two seasons with injuries.
If there is a position in turmoil, it's the pitching staff. At the start of 2009, the rotation appeared as one of the best in baseball. Former Cy Young Award winner Brandon Webb was the ace and anchor and with Jon Garland, Dan Haren and Doug Davis, the staff was considered as one of the most impressive in the major leagues.
Then, Webb, after pitching only four innings opening day, landed on the DL for the rest of the 2009 season. Garland was eventually traded to the Dodgers, Davis finished with a 9-14 mark, 4.12 and the D-Backs do not appear in any hurry to resign Davis.
Haren represented the only ray for the future as the 29 year old native of Monterey Park, Calif. posted a 14-10 record and 3.14 ERA.
Already, the D-Backs have severed ties with three pitchers, and could set up interesting spring training battles for starting slots. On that first day of free agency, righthander Yusmeiro Petit signed a free agent deal with Seattle, and lefty Doug Slaton inked with Washington. Also, the D-Backs sent Daniel Cabrera to AAA Reno, and declined the option for left hander Scott Schoenweis.
That sets up rising pitchers like Kevin Mulvey and Bryan Augenstein to grab attention in spring training. As well, the D-Backs have until 10 days following conclusion of the World Series (Nov.14) to decide whether to pick up Webb's $8 million option for 2010.
Here at the start of the free agency season, the D-Backs started to make some noise, but it's likely management will save its thunder for later this winter.
