Nippert Trade.....

by Nuts on Mar 29, 2008 11:18 PM EDT

As a fan of the D-Backs since Dustin was drafted, I'm kind of in limbo right now after the trade. He celebrates the birth of his daughter, heads on down to practice and is told to pack his bags. I know he had a tough spring and was told not to worry about it as he was trying to develop a slider, but man, after last season I was really looking forward to rooting him on at Arizona. He's been through a lot in the Diamondback organization and I'm glad they gave him and his twin brother a shot. I hope he realizes his potential and has a solid career.

Millwood, Broussard, and Vazquez are the only names that I'm familiar with at Texas and that's because they used to play in Cleveland. I probably should've just stayed an Indian fan and this trade wouldn't bother me. Michael Young looks like a solid player at short. Now I'm a Ranger fan??? I just wish his agent would've tried to get him closer to home instead of down in Texas.

I've enjoyed reading The Snakepit over the years and just wanted to say "Thanks" for all the information you guys post. It's been fun.

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It's been emotional...

Thanks for the kind words. Nippert was always one of those phenomenally frustrating players to watch - he'd be utterly brilliant one outing, and you'd wonder why he wasn't a fixture of our rotation. Then, the next time, he'd be all over the place, utterly hittable when he wasn't walking batters. You never knew what you were going to get, and I think that's what cursed him in the end.

Arizona has never had a good record with developing starting pitchers; sure, we picked Brandon Webb, but that was more by luck than anything else, since he only developed his sinker after we signed him. No-one else we drafted has made as many as thirty career starts for the team, though EdGon and Micah should reach that this year. That's striking, when you compare it to our position players, where 3/4 of our 2008 Opening Day lineup made their debuts with AZ, every one bar Young having been drafted by the D-backs.

After some trades, you don't want to see the player you've lost succeed with his new team - especially if he's been traded to a divisional rival - but I don't think this is one of those. It's closer to the Quentin trade, where a change of scenery is probably the best thing that could happen to the player, and you wish him all the best. And, with a new baby too, perhaps the occasional good night's sleep!

by Jim McLennan on Mar 30, 2008 1:02 AM EDT reply actions

Re: Webb

If he developed the sinker after signing with Diamondbacks, wouldn't that mean they developed him? I thought I remember him being taught the sinker while in the minors with the Diamondbacks?

The boys in Sedona Red slugged it out with a pretty pesky poltergeist, then stayed on to dance the night away with some of the lovely ladies who witnessed the disturbance.

by soco on Mar 30, 2008 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Developing pitching

is harder when the minor league parks are hitters parks. Tough to build confidence?
That said, we gave up some good pitching for Haren and Jerrod Parker should be great when he's ready.

by Recon on Apr 1, 2008 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Historically, a lot of the top

picks were position players too. I am a strong advocate of drafting the best available regardless of position. You can always trade later for needs.

I'm wondering how long Ed-it's-Gon is going to last. I really don't feel that he has a great future in PHX.

A lot of people felt that Patterson and Cappy were all that and when you combine performance at the ML level with their health issues, I really don't feel that we gave up all that much.

TINSTAAPP

I like the way we got Haren and feel that is a great way to use your "prospects." We got a known quantity for a handful of question marks.

by foulpole on Mar 30, 2008 11:40 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed about Haren...

as well as Patterson & Capuano. Both of them seemed to have a lot going for them after they were initially traded. I know I was kind of pissed that we lost Capuano, but I think that had more to do wiht what we traded him for (and how many players we let go) than anything else. Although, there was a short period of time when he looked like he was going to take off for the Brewers. When Patterson was shipped off, I couldn't have cared less. Then, it looked like he might make something of himself with the Nats. Now, I'm back to not caring.

by azshadowwalker on Mar 31, 2008 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions