Bring Back Tony Clark?

by Wimb on Jul 8, 2008 9:43 AM EDT

Steve Gilbert's latest mailbag threw up an interesting response to a question about leadership on the team and speculates on a possible return of Tony Clark to the desert.

linkage

In the summer, not giving Clark a 2 year multi million dollar deal made a lot of sense, but his subsequent failure to get a 2 year deal and that he ended up signing for less then a million with the Padres now makes Clark, at least in my opinion, a great 2nd half rental for the team. Clark stated all along his preference in staying in Arizona and as Gilbert points out, with Gonzalez raking out West I doubt it would take much to bring him over here.

Whilst I don't subscribe to the belief that 'clubhouse presence' will rescue our season, it can't be a bad thing to have a guy in the clubhouse who's been down the stretch in a tight race before and the level of respect he has amongst the young guys here is unquestioned. However if the Eric Byrnes deal has shown us ANYTHING it's that such sentimentality shouldn't factor into the decision so here's a very basic rundown of Clark this year.

If we are talking on a purely statistical basis the return of Clark won't magically fix our slumping/broken offence much. Clark is currently hitting for a .247 over 85 AB's with 11 RBI's and just 1 home run.

What does interest me though is his OBP where his mark of .385 would certainly be welcome given the K heavy nature of our lineup. In roughly half the games as he played in 07, he's walked 19 times already in 08 compared with just 21 in 07. Power wise he seems very much on the 06 side of life, having hit just 1 this season but hitting the longball doesnt seem to be much a problem for us this year.

The argument to bring Clark over here makes increasing sense when you look at who stands 'in his way' The contract to Clark was seemingly pulled after we aquired Chris Burke from Houston. This along with the subsequent signing of Trot Nixon and impending return of Chad Tracy meant that with CoJack and Reynolds set to get the vast majority of playing time, there was no need to carry another backup first baseman with an already overcrowded infield. However as we all know things have changed with Burke a massive dissapointment, Nixon gone and CoJack out in left field we have somewhat of a need at first.

So, the bottom line is do you think it's worth bringing Clark back? and what would it take to get him?

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No, not at this point

if we’re going to make a trade, why not try and get guys who will play everyday?

By all means hit at a glacial pace. You know how that thrills me.

by soco on Jul 8, 2008 10:01 AM EDT 0 recs

To do what?

I don’t see a need at first. Tracy is the starter, Jackson is the backup. Burke can cover 1st and left (and he’s clearly more important to keep around than Jeff Salazar). I have no doubts that Ojeda could play 1st if needed.

If Clark wants to retire and come be a coach, fine. Trade an actual player or pay money for him to be a player? What a waste.

Fire Bob Melvin. Free Jamie D'Antona. Eric Byrnes Sucks.

by nihil67 on Jul 8, 2008 10:16 AM EDT 0 recs

Fair points

My only response (playing devils advocate) would be that Burke is outright sucking as a backup player this year, where as Clark is performing. Also as Jim pointed out in the random offday thread yesterday we are getting very little from pinch hitters this year. I realise that we shouldn’t be commiting great resources to backup players but the amount of money here would be what.. $350,000? However it all depends what San Diego are asking (if they are asking at all)

So...time for another drink then?

by Wimb on Jul 8, 2008 1:16 PM EDT up 0 recs

Not to keep hammering on this or anything

But you could spend that exact same amount of money on some other guy and get at least 2 times the production. I’m not just talking about Bonds. Kenny Lofton is sitting out there doing nothing too.

Pinch hitting is really the least of our issues. Offense, Defense, Running, Burke, Qualls, RP injury bug, 5th starter, Random Randy…. and then maybe pinch hitting.

Fire Bob Melvin. Free Jamie D'Antona. Eric Byrnes Sucks.

by nihil67 on Jul 8, 2008 1:33 PM EDT up 0 recs

Again all valid

I just wondered whether if he could be had for loose change (not money/players set aside for other moves) it would be worthwhile

I don’t see it happening really, I wouldn’t be against the move but wouldn’t give anything more then ‘considerations’

So...time for another drink then?

by Wimb on Jul 8, 2008 3:17 PM EDT up 0 recs

No

We don’t need no stinking Clark. Only if we were trading Burke for Clark and a minor league OF.

by DiamondbacksWIn on Jul 8, 2008 1:23 PM EDT 0 recs

N.O.

"There are only two seasons: winter and baseball"
-- Bill Veeck

by njjohn on Jul 8, 2008 2:02 PM EDT 0 recs

No

Clark doesn’t really add much to the team, besides his so called “intangibles”. We could use a platoon mate at first base against left handers(which Tracy can’t hit a lick against), but Clark’s not the answer there. He’s declining offensively, and he’s limited to one position. There’s better guys out there worth looking at. I’d rather look at calling up Jamie D’antona or Josh Whitesell, who’d cost nothing.

by Zephon on Jul 8, 2008 2:36 PM EDT 0 recs

Do we really need another corner infielder?

"Evil lurks everywhere, often in plain sight... Can you lurk in plain sight? Or is that just walking?"

by kishi on Jul 8, 2008 2:37 PM EDT 0 recs

nonononononononononno

"Back here live at the Waterfront Village with my friend the zombie, Jonathon," says correspondent Nancy Francis. "You're looking good, Jonathon. Jonathon just got an awesome face paint job. What do you think?"

Jonathon does not need to mull this one for long. Jonathon turns to the reporter and says, in a voice that is both flat and emphatic:

"I like turtles."

ROFLMAOLOL!

by Muu on Jul 8, 2008 3:30 PM EDT 0 recs

So...thats a no then? ;)

So...time for another drink then?

by Wimb on Jul 8, 2008 3:51 PM EDT up 0 recs

With Cojack getting comfortable

in left, Tony might be a plausible low cost fit here – primarily as a PH and 1b platoon with Tracy. He’s stronger from the left side, so is not an ideal complement to Chad, but I wouldnt overreact to the recent lack of homers at Petco – his career OPS at Chase is still 1.000.

Another potential obstacle is he felt deceived by Josh Byrnes in offseason negotiations, so even though he’s a forgiving guy, I’m not certain how anxious he really is to return to PHX, especially for less money. Or how anxious the Padres are to broker a fair value trade to a division rival. San Diego’s in the cellar and at least a comparable hitting club, so Tony’s more valuable to Arizona right now. We’d probably have to part with more than fair value to get him at this point.

by Diamondhacks on Jul 8, 2008 4:13 PM EDT 0 recs

Since 2006,

Clark’s line as a LHB is .205/.305/.325 in 94 plate appearances.

by dahlian on Jul 8, 2008 10:49 PM EDT up 0 recs

I'm not really politicking for Tony to return

and understand there are better fits, but just for the record, I can cherrypick smaller and larger sample splits against LHP that make him look considerably better:

In 2005, playing fairly regularly, 933 OPS v LHP.
Since 2008 at Petco, .762 OPS v LHP
Since he was old enough to theoretically drink, his career OPS v LHP is 809.

by Diamondhacks on Jul 9, 2008 12:59 AM EDT up 0 recs

Tony had a shoulder injury

It bothered him batting right handed. I have no idea if he is over that, but it was a factor for him in 06 and 07, and one additional reason why he was given so few at bats vs. LHP. ( The primary reason of course being the platoon matchup with CJ being a Righty, but the shoulder injury factored in too)

by shoewizard on Jul 9, 2008 1:31 AM EDT up 0 recs

Tony Clark?

Are you kidding me? I want to win another World Series. We’ve got to compete with the Phillies, the Cubs, the Rays, the Sox. Why would we be having a serious discussion about Clark? Let’s talk about the underachieving superstars the Mets might have on the table, or a trade with the Phillies, the Tigers, or Rockies, teams who can hit the lights out who have a need for pitching, or even who we might get for – dare I say it – Haren. (Not likely Haren, he’s too good value for the money, but then again, look at the Twins…if you have enough faith in your arms coming up, everyone’s name’s on the table. You get the gist, though – let’s talk real trade). I have nothing but fond recollections of Tony, but why are all the posts about trade acquisitions so lacking in names worthy of our team.

by aricat on Jul 9, 2008 5:44 AM EDT up 0 recs

Well,

What I intended by the discussion was would it be worth getting in TC as a temporary rental pinch hitting/backup player. I don’t think anyone believes he would cure our woes or suggesting we trade chips that could be used for bigger fish. The idea I was putting forward was if he could be had for chunk change would you take him back on the bench

Still i think this is a resounding no ;)

So...time for another drink then?

by Wimb on Jul 9, 2008 1:23 PM EDT up 0 recs

No,

that ship has sailed.

"It's like deja vu all over again."

by unnamedDBacksfan on Jul 9, 2008 1:18 PM EDT 0 recs

It might happen...

Link

The Diamondbacks appear to be exploring the idea of bringing first baseman Tony Clark back to Arizona. The Diamondbacks are believed to be one of several teams to have contacted the Padres regarding Clark, who is expected to be made available as the trade deadline approaches and San Diego continues to plummet in the National League West standings…. Clark does not have a no-trade clause with the Padres but would likely prefer to play again in Arizona. He and his family live in the West Valley…. Clark and Diamondbacks General Manager Josh Byrnes had a long conversation near the batting cage when the Padres visited Chase Field last week.

by Jim McLennan on Jul 11, 2008 11:52 AM EDT 0 recs

oy vey....

I’ve always been taught you move forward. That nothing has ever been gained by going back or turning back the clock….

"It's like deja vu all over again."

by unnamedDBacksfan on Jul 11, 2008 12:13 PM EDT up 0 recs

Except

For an extra hour in bed. Works for me. :-) I suppose the difference here is that we wanted to sign Tony Clark before the season. So it’d just take him a bit of time to get here. However, still not inclined to believe this is a good idea. 1B is not an issue, and would he really get enough PH at-bats to justify giving the Padres even a crap prospect?

by Jim McLennan on Jul 11, 2008 1:19 PM EDT up 0 recs

I love TC

I really do, but bringing him back as a player would be so stupid, especially with Sexson and Bonds out there. We need a bat, not a nice guy.

"There are only two seasons: winter and baseball"
-- Bill Veeck

by njjohn on Jul 11, 2008 4:51 PM EDT up 0 recs

Sexson? Seriously? Why?

"Evil lurks everywhere, often in plain sight... Can you lurk in plain sight? Or is that just walking?"

by kishi on Jul 11, 2008 4:59 PM EDT up 0 recs

Because Sexson can actually hit. He can only hit lefties… but at least he can still hit. That’s more than can be said for TC.

"There are only two seasons: winter and baseball"
-- Bill Veeck

by njjohn on Jul 12, 2008 7:12 AM EDT up 0 recs

If we can get Sexson for cheap,

then you can have him and Tracy at first base.

The dynasty that should be the Arizona Diamondbacks.

by srdmad on Jul 12, 2008 1:18 PM EDT up 0 recs

If he does come back

Won’t it be for less than we originally offered before the season.

by DiamondbacksWIn on Jul 11, 2008 5:11 PM EDT up 0 recs

Not that I'm for bringing him back.

by DiamondbacksWIn on Jul 11, 2008 5:11 PM EDT up 0 recs

Actually

I think the Mariners still pay him. We only have to pay league minimum, pro-rated for the time remaining – so, somewhere round about $150 K for the rest of the season. Mind you, IIRC, he got a DUI just after he signed with Seattle, so I guess that makes him every bit as bad as Bonds in some eyes… :-) His rep in the clubhouse was pretty bad too.

by Jim McLennan on Jul 12, 2008 9:20 PM EDT up 0 recs

And the mickey mouse club

that is our FO has spoken it seems. He will be coming back.

"It's like deja vu all over again."

by unnamedDBacksfan on Jul 17, 2008 12:46 PM EDT 0 recs

yep...because TC has DIFFERENCE MAKER written all over him!

"There are only two seasons: winter and baseball"
-- Bill Veeck

by njjohn on Jul 17, 2008 2:54 PM EDT 0 recs

At the very least,

he’s a threat to go deep at any AB. (Performance at PetCo notwithstanding)

It’ll be good to have a PH that opposing pitchers and managers actually have to respect—as opposed to Chris Burke.

Mark Reynolds: back to turning me gay.

by DbacksSkins on Jul 17, 2008 3:00 PM EDT up 0 recs

Although,

Chris Burke really isn’t so much a “pinch hitter”, as a “pinch guy who stands at the plate, holding a bat”.

Mark Reynolds: back to turning me gay.

by DbacksSkins on Jul 17, 2008 3:02 PM EDT up 0 recs

I thought that was Hammock’s job. And to think I was rubbing it in the face of my buddy who is an Astro’s fan, as to how good Burke was doing in spring. Luckily he is an Astro’s fan and has his own issues to deal with and thus forgot all about Burke.

by Bcawz on Jul 17, 2008 3:57 PM EDT up 0 recs

::sigh::

I don’t really get why this is still so difficult for some people to understand.

Robby Hammock career MLB games at catcher: 108

Total Dbacks games NOT caught by Robby Hammock: 1595 (not including postseason)

% of perfect games over total perfect and unperfect games in Dbacks history: 0.0587%

% of perfect games over total perfect and unperfect games in Robby Hammock’s catching history: 0.926%

% of perfect games over total perfect and unperfect games without Hammock catching: 0.000%

So, although our overall % of perfect games is only slightly more than 1/20th of 1%, with Robby Hammock catching, it soars from 0% to almost 1%, a jump of well greater than 15-fold over the odds in any given Dbacks game. Clearly, he’s pretty worth keeping around.

Sabrmetrics: the way of the future.

Mark Reynolds: back to turning me gay.

by DbacksSkins on Jul 17, 2008 4:22 PM EDT up 0 recs