The Winter (Meetings) of our Discontent: Day 4
Jon Heyman says Arizona has signed Felipe Lopez; if true, this would be the first major move for the team at the winter meetings. He reports it's a $3.5-million deal for one-year. This might help defuse Nick Piecoro, since sarcasm positively drips from him as he describes our re-signing of Augie Ojeda in today's Republic. "At least now no one can accuse the Diamondbacks of getting nothing done at the winter meetings." I guess he must have some Brit in his ancestry, even if I thought that kind of thing was beaten out of you in journalism school? He also calls Lopez "a frustrating player whose effort has been questioned, but also one with perhaps more upside than any other available second baseman."
Certainly, it was a season of two halves for Lopez in 2008: he hit .234/.305/.314, and was so bad the Nationals released him. However, after getting picked up by St. Louis, he went .385/.426/.538 down the stretch for the Cardinals. That's a split reminiscent of the Big Unit's 1998, where he went 9-10 with a 4.33 ERA in Seattle, and was then dealt to Houston, where he became a new man, going 10-1 and posting a 1.28 ERA there. One can only wonder at the reasons behind Lopez's resurrection from the baseball dead: there seems little doubt he has the raw talent - he was an All-Star in 2005 - yet it seems Washington did not agree with him at all.
One suspects this perhaps buries the speculation reported by ESPN, which says, "The Diamondbacks and Red Sox are reportedly discussing a trade of Eric Byrnes and Julio Lugo." [It probably also ends the Wigginton and Johnson rumors]. This would basically have been a swap of unpleasant contracts over the next couple of seasons: Byrnes gets $22 million, Lugo $18 million, though would at least have filled the hole at second. We may still be trying to shift Byrnes to the Sox, who do seem to have some interest in his position, and reaction from the Red Sox Nation is curiously gung-ho on the thought of acquiring Flipper.
Rule 5 Draft takes place today: Piecoro [link above] quote Josh Byrnes as saying, "the Diamondbacks might be active in today's Rule 5 draft, perhaps pursuing a left-handed reliever or an infielder." However, the rumor posted on the Diamondbacks site has us after 1B/OF Jordan Brown from the Indians. The 25-year old was the Double-A Eastern League MVP in 2007, and hit .281/.337/.417 at the Triple-A level last year. The report reckons we would need to trade up in the draft (we're currently #15) to get Brown, but whether that's something we're going to do is doubtful. Unlike the main draft, teams can trade players for draft picks, or even buy them. .
I'm trying to remember the last time the team picked up someone in this draft, and I can't recall it ever happening. Nice though it would be to get someone like Santana, Victorino, Josh Hamilton or - pausing to wince - Uggla, it has to be admitted that most Rule 5 picks never pan out to quite the same extent. Still, for $50,000, it's a relatively low-risk gamble. We'll see what happens: the draft got under way at 10 am (Arizona time).
Arizona selects James Skelton from Detroit. He's a catcher who had a cup of coffee in the majors last season, but was mostly at High-A and Double-A. By the rules of the draft, he has to be on the major-league roster all season, or be offered back to his original team, so this makes me think that Montero or Snyder will likely be traded away between now and Opening Day. Here are Skelton's minor-league stats and a good article on him. He seems very small for a catcher - 5'11" and just 165 lbs: the average top 20 catcher in MLB outweighs Skelton by 50 pounds. There is some discussion in the article on moving him to second, where his size would be more in line with the average. But look at that OBP: .456, with more walks than strikeouts [94:91]. An intriguing choice. No other gains or losses for the Diamondbacks in the other areas of the draft.
Better Red than Dead for Rhodes. Fox Sports reports the Diamondbacks have lost left-handed reliever Arthur Rhodes to the Cincinnati Reds, on a two-year, $4 million deal. Bring on the next southpaw candidate for the bullpen!
Helter Skelton, coming down fast.... Nick Piecoro has more on our new catcher from the Rule 5 Draft. He quotes Assistant GM Peter Woodfork as saying he may be used as a third catcher, and director of player personnel Jerry Dipoto adds, "As with most young catchers, the catch/throw part of the game is a work in progress. We’re of the mind-set he’ll get in early and we’ll work on it. But he’s gotten this far. It’s a pretty unique opportunity I think to acquire a guy who has plus offensive skills behind the plate."

A fan-post by Paul Thomas, on our colleagues over at Beyond the Box Score was also very keen on him, calling Skelton "the most attractive position player Rule 5 candidate I've seen in some time." And fans in Detroit are not happy with the move: Ian Casselberry of Bless You Boys asks, "Would it be an exaggeration to say that Tiger Town's worst Rule 5 draft nightmare happened this afternoon?" though admits this is likely hyperbole. The site also had an discussion on the Tigers' decision to leave Skelton unprotected.
Back at the beginning of the season, the Tigers site had this piece on Skelton, "Center fielder Freddy Guzman, a smaller player himself, took a look at Skelton and thought he was either a second baseman or a pitcher until he saw the catcher's mitt. "I had it growing up, the whole way through," Skelton said. "I've always been a smaller guy on the team, everywhere I go. But I've just always loved catching."
Just as a side-note to my comments above, 'Jack' Skelton [at 165 lbs, that seems an appropriate nickname!] is definitely not the first pick by Arizona in the Rule 5 draft. Just last year, in the Double-A portion, the Diamondbacks picked up 1B Balthazar Lopez from Anaheim. As this was the Double-A portion, he didn't have to be on the major-league roster, and I think he played in the Mexican League last season. With the first pick of the December 2004 draft, we selected Angel Garcia from the Twins, but later sold him on to Tampa. And way back in 1997, before the team came into full operation, we chose Stephen Randolph from the Yankees. Overall, however, the team has seen a lot more players depart than we've gained. Dan Uggla is, obviously, the best-known, but in 2002, we lost Javier Lopez and Luis Ayala, both of whom would go on to reach the majors.
Comments
[It probably also ends the Wigginton and Johnson rumors].
I’m too lazy to check right now, but it was either Magruder or Piecoro who last night posted that there was nothing to the rumors about Wigginton.
Fire Vinny Cerrato, the raquetball partner.
by DbacksSkins on
Dec 11, 2008 12:00 PM EST
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Good news!
Felipe Lopez was a part of ODawgs wedding party. We had no choice but to sign him.
Let's go Colts!
by AJforAZ on
Dec 11, 2008 12:18 PM EST
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Obviously
There are also rumors that the Diamondbacks have invited the minister for the wedding to spring training. We’ll see if he’s got a slider.
"I'm here to advise you on dispensing horror in this modern military climate. I understand you're a demigod, that's fantastic!"
by kishi on
Dec 11, 2008 12:50 PM EST
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The power of Christ compels him
Let's go Colts!
by AJforAZ on
Dec 11, 2008 12:52 PM EST
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I fixed it for you
The power of Christ Snyder compels him
by Jim McLennan on
Dec 11, 2008 12:53 PM EST
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Somehow,
I think the task of replacing Randy Johnson will be tough enough, even WITHOUT expecting him to exorcise demons as well. (Starting with Randy Winn)
Fire Vinny Cerrato, the raquetball partner.
by DbacksSkins on
Dec 11, 2008 7:46 PM EST
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Is that
kinda like being on The Eric Byrnes Show?
Fire Vinny Cerrato, the raquetball partner.
by DbacksSkins on
Dec 11, 2008 1:15 PM EST
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No no.
If anything, journalism school encourages snarkiness, because you get tired of doing the same thing in all your classes over and over again. Only if a student (or real world journalist) gets to the downtrodden stage do they lose that incisive wit.
by Azreous on
Dec 11, 2008 12:31 PM EST
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Skelton
maybe it means Robbie Hammock will finally disappear as well. I sure hope so.
Let's go Colts!
by AJforAZ on
Dec 11, 2008 12:48 PM EST
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Probably to wherever
Randy Johnson goes. :-)
by Jim McLennan on
Dec 11, 2008 12:49 PM EST
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And perfect games
will follow.
Fire Vinny Cerrato, the raquetball partner.
by DbacksSkins on
Dec 11, 2008 1:15 PM EST
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Great article on Skelton
Glad to see some action from the D-Backs. Great upside, and I just love to see players used in interesting roles (I am still waiting for the return/creation of the 2-3 inning closer). I’m excited to maybe see him as out primary back-up, using additionally freed up money to bring Randy back. Big Unit really makes me feel better about the dominance of our rotation.
by Counsellmember on
Dec 11, 2008 12:51 PM EST
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Interesting....
I wasn’t aware that he’s a LHB. Foulpole will be quite pleased, especially given that catcher is one of those defensive positions that he’s always talking about.
Fire Vinny Cerrato, the raquetball partner.
by DbacksSkins on
Dec 11, 2008 5:51 PM EST
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Purple Row is annoyed that they had two players drafted away from the Rox.
Fire Vinny Cerrato, the raquetball partner.
by DbacksSkins on
Dec 11, 2008 1:11 PM EST
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Speaking of the Rockies
I saw that they had a trade that fell apart because, according to the rumors, Willy Taveras failed his physical. Ouch.
"I'm here to advise you on dispensing horror in this modern military climate. I understand you're a demigod, that's fantastic!"
by kishi on
Dec 11, 2008 1:31 PM EST
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Yup.
I have a physical today, too. I hope I don’t fail.
Fire Vinny Cerrato, the raquetball partner.
by DbacksSkins on
Dec 11, 2008 1:50 PM EST
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I don't know
If it’ll keep you from being traded to the Nationals…
"I'm here to advise you on dispensing horror in this modern military climate. I understand you're a demigod, that's fantastic!"
by kishi on
Dec 11, 2008 1:53 PM EST
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I'm the model of good health, apparently.
Which means I have to go play for the Nats…. CRAP!!!
Fire Vinny Cerrato, the raquetball partner.
by DbacksSkins on
Dec 11, 2008 6:32 PM EST
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You think you feel bad?
I’m just embarrassed that we didn’t work out that deal with Gaslamp Ball last season. We won’t get anything good in return from the Nationals.
"I'm here to advise you on dispensing horror in this modern military climate. I understand you're a demigod, that's fantastic!"
by kishi on
Dec 11, 2008 7:08 PM EST
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e chigliak
is a good blogger. Fed just gets no traffic.
Fire Vinny Cerrato, the raquetball partner.
by DbacksSkins on
Dec 11, 2008 7:21 PM EST
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I don't doubt it
But we’re trading you to the team, not their blog. What are they going to do, give us Bonifacio? Guy is a lousy commenter!
"I'm here to advise you on dispensing horror in this modern military climate. I understand you're a demigod, that's fantastic!"
by kishi on
Dec 11, 2008 7:29 PM EST
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Dunno.
Bonifacio has mad speed — he might even be able to outcomment me. Problem is, he’s not able to get on the site often enough to use those speed skills.
Fire Vinny Cerrato, the raquetball partner.
by DbacksSkins on
Dec 11, 2008 7:35 PM EST
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Bring on the next southpaw candidate for the bullpen!
Daniel Schlereth?
Fire Vinny Cerrato, the raquetball partner.
by DbacksSkins on
Dec 11, 2008 1:15 PM EST
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unfortunately
that’s a big possibility
Let's go Colts!
by AJforAZ on
Dec 11, 2008 1:59 PM EST
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Hm
Skelton, Balthazar, and Angel. Sounds like a supernatural detective agency.
"I'm here to advise you on dispensing horror in this modern military climate. I understand you're a demigod, that's fantastic!"
by kishi on
Dec 11, 2008 4:01 PM EST
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Or better yet--
One belonging to Dirk Gently, Holistic Detective
by bcloirao on
Dec 11, 2008 6:02 PM EST
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Happy memories!
I’m running to my bookshelf right now.
"We...probed them all the way through. They're completely meat." — Terry Bisson
by Scrbl on
Dec 11, 2008 6:21 PM EST
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+A million
The standard Kishi reward for a good Douglas Adams mention.
"I'm here to advise you on dispensing horror in this modern military climate. I understand you're a demigod, that's fantastic!"
by kishi on
Dec 11, 2008 7:07 PM EST
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Fire Vinny Cerrato, the raquetball partner.
by DbacksSkins on
Dec 11, 2008 6:54 PM EST
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It's very confusing.
Which is it? Seattle or Cincy?
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by DbacksSkins on
Dec 11, 2008 6:57 PM EST
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Either way
Doesn’t look to be us.
"I'm here to advise you on dispensing horror in this modern military climate. I understand you're a demigod, that's fantastic!"
by kishi on
Dec 11, 2008 7:07 PM EST
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Oh?
Are we not the Mariners or Reds?
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by DbacksSkins on
Dec 11, 2008 7:19 PM EST
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I don't think so?
I mean, I keep looking at pictures of the Mariners and the Reds roster, and it doesn’t look like our team? But then I keep seeing pictures of Adam Dunn in a Reds jersey. So I’m confused.
Who are we cheering for here again?
"I'm here to advise you on dispensing horror in this modern military climate. I understand you're a demigod, that's fantastic!"
by kishi on
Dec 11, 2008 7:25 PM EST
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Who are we cheering for here again?
What about this Micah Owings fellow?
Also, there seem to be a lot of Seattle fans here — Goose, AZSEAfan, for example.
So we might be the Reds or Mariners.
Fire Vinny Cerrato, the raquetball partner.
by DbacksSkins on
Dec 11, 2008 7:31 PM EST
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Argh
We wouldn’t have this confusion if Jim had listened to me and put the baseball malarkey on the back burner until February.
"I'm here to advise you on dispensing horror in this modern military climate. I understand you're a demigod, that's fantastic!"
by kishi on
Dec 11, 2008 7:33 PM EST
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Magruder also notes that
Lopez has good career numbers in AZ.
I haven’t the heart to look up the sample size, but I’m actually liking this deal more as time goes on.
Fire Vinny Cerrato, the raquetball partner.
by DbacksSkins on
Dec 11, 2008 7:02 PM EST
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I guess
at least 10 games.
You keep on rowin', and I'll keep on smilin'.
by soco on
Dec 11, 2008 7:20 PM EST
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Ah.
So it’s obviously not a fluke then, since it’s…… err, slightly more than 1/7th of a full regular season. Gotcha.
Fire Vinny Cerrato, the raquetball partner.
by DbacksSkins on
Dec 11, 2008 7:33 PM EST
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It's perfectly valid
Just like basing our expectations of, say, the first month of a season.
"I'm here to advise you on dispensing horror in this modern military climate. I understand you're a demigod, that's fantastic!"
by kishi on
Dec 11, 2008 7:34 PM EST
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Like especially
the first month of this past season. I highly doubt he continues at a .341 clip
Arizona expatriate in Missouri
by Snakebitten on
Dec 11, 2008 9:56 PM EST
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I am comforted by the fact
That Washington was an extreme pitcher’s park in 2006 and 2007, so his numbers there were bound to be deflated significantly.
by Jim McLennan on
Dec 11, 2008 7:36 PM EST
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Two thoughts on the Felipe Lopez signing.
First, the bad news: we can’t really call him F-Dawg, because that sounds vaguely vulgar.
Now, the good news: we have a player named after me!! (Or the Spanish variation, at least)
Fire Vinny Cerrato, the raquetball partner.
by DbacksSkins on
Dec 11, 2008 7:49 PM EST
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When he makes an error
Can we call it a Fi-Lo D’oh?
"I'm here to advise you on dispensing horror in this modern military climate. I understand you're a demigod, that's fantastic!"
by kishi on
Dec 12, 2008 12:31 AM EST
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Wow.
You put far too much thought into that one.
It would be poetic if it didn't suck so much (RIP Pushing Daisies...)
by emilylovesthedbacks on
Dec 12, 2008 1:51 AM EST
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Not really
My brain is pretty well trained to just skip all the shortcuts by now and go right to the bad pun.
"I'm here to advise you on dispensing horror in this modern military climate. I understand you're a demigod, that's fantastic!"
by kishi on
Dec 12, 2008 2:12 AM EST
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That’s the result of years of training. YEARS.
It's like living with a six-year old.
by 4 Corners Fan on
Dec 12, 2008 12:34 PM EST
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Oh, and +1
For your signature.
"I'm here to advise you on dispensing horror in this modern military climate. I understand you're a demigod, that's fantastic!"
by kishi on
Dec 12, 2008 2:13 AM EST
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::collective groan from the entire SnakePit::
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by DbacksSkins on
Dec 12, 2008 2:26 AM EST
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Fa?
A long long way to run?
It's a job that's never started that takes the longest to finish.
by unnamedDBacksfan on
Dec 12, 2008 11:22 AM EST
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That's for when
he becomes a pitcher due to our weak rotation, a la Gracie.
Arizona expatriate in Missouri
by Snakebitten on
Dec 12, 2008 12:06 PM EST
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This is a bit dated, but I didn't see it posted, so....
just in case anyone had a burning desire to figure out exactly who has the hottest baseball wife, well, there you go. It’s Mark DeRosa, apparently.
Fire Vinny Cerrato, the raquetball partner.
by DbacksSkins on
Dec 12, 2008 12:39 PM EST
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