On May 22nd I posted a quick review of our off season moves from 2007/2008 Linky and now nearly 3 months later I thought I would revisit and review again. Once more sorry for the lack of in depth knowledge/scouting, I'm restricted to stats I'm afraid but if anyone wants to chip in please feel free
Players In
Dan Haren: SP (Ari)
24 GS 159 IP 12-6 SO 147 BB 27 3.00 ERA 1.025 WHIP
I don't think this needs much comment really. Haren has been awesome in the process of recording a 12-6 record and an ERA of 3.00. Had it not been for the general offensive woes of the late spring and early summer, Mr Haren could well be on 15 wins by now. Still Haren has been a co-ace of the staff this year and his recent contract extension is well deserved in my opinion.
Chad Qualls: RP (Ari)
57G 54IP 2-7 2 SV 51SO 17BB 3.50 ERA 1.24 WHIP
There is a certain hand drawn graphic that demonstrates just how much Qualls (or rather Melvin's use of Qualls) has frustrated the fans at times this season. Despite several implosions which have helped contributed to 7 losses Qualls has by and large been a decent aquisition for the Diamondbacks, posting a respectible ERA and K/BB ratio. Used in a variety of roles by BoMel Chad has settled into the bullpen and whilst his meltdowns do frustrate, such troubles a bullpen wide issue and not just one for Mr Qualls to worry about.
Billy Buckner: SP
(ARI) 6G 9 IP 1-0 SO 7 BB 2 4.00 ERA 1.56 WHIP
(TUS) 19 GS 110.1 IP 5-8 SO 63 BB 39 5.30 ERA 1.53 WHIP
After being aquired for Alberto Callaspo in the off season Buckner was sent down to AAA where he and his felow Tuscon starters not named Sherzer all found themselves getting shelled in a team wide struggle. That being said Buckner has made it to 'the show' this season and performed admirably in his few appearences out of the 'pen.
Connor Robertson: RP
(Ari) 6G 7 IP 0-1 2 SO 2 BB 5.14 ERA 1.429 WHIP
(Tus) 40 G 66IP 7-3 63SO 25BB 4.23 ERA 1.21 WHIP
Part of the Haren deal, Robertson has settled in well in a relief role with Tuscon. His ERA has dropped by around a run at AAA since I last reviewed and like Bucknor he has been up and down with the D-Backs and pitched a handful of largely average innings. The jury is still out on this one but he doesn't look too out of his depth so far.
Juan Gutierrez: SP (Tus)
21G 18GS 91.2 IP 3-10 74SO 35 BB 6.68 ERA 1.79 WHIP
Fighting it out with Chris Burke to be crowned worst piece of the Valverde trade is Juan Gutierrez who is sucking the big one down in Tuscon, An ERA closer to 7 then 6 and a WHIP nudging towards 2 says it all. Certainly not someone who we'll be expecting up at the big league level when the rosters expand.
Jose Marte: RP (Vis/Mob)
(Vis A+) 9G 14 IP 1-0 3SV 15 SO 4 BB 1.93 ERA 1.21 WHIP
(Mob AA) 31G 42.1 IP 4-2 6 SV 33 SO 22BB 4.68 ERA 1.56 WHIP
Our return for Dustin Nippert was relief pitcher Jose Marte who impressed early on with high A ball for Visalia and was promoted to Mobile early on in the season. However the jump to AA proved challenging for Jose and whilst not being terrible he looks set to at least repeat AA.
Chris Burke: OF/INF (Ari)
67 G 137 AB 26 H 14 R 0 HR 7RBI .190 AVG .536 OPS
Chris Burke has managed to cross the plate a whopping 7 times since I wrote this original article, very impressive stuff from the Chocolate Teapot! The man who has one less home run then a pitcher sitting in Tuscon and as many RBI's as Brandon Webb has at least been useful defence wise this season but at the plate....well. I made this comment back in May.
Burke should heat up and when that happens he's a guy you want on your bench.
What a fool I am :(
Trot Nixon: OF/1B (Tus/NYM)
(TUS) 58G 181AB 56H 39R 10 HR 31RBI .309 AVG .995 OPS
(NYM) 11G 35AB 6H 2R 1HR 1RBI .171 AVG 579 OPS
Despite the injuries to several outfielders and infielders during the early part of this season, Trot Nixon never made it onto the Diamondbacks roster and eventually found his way to the Mets where he has largely been sidelined by injury.
Josh Whitesell: 1B (Tus)
114G 421 AB 139H 77R 23 HR 95 RBI .330AVG .996 OPS
This waiver claim from Washington is quietly having a great season down is Tuscon hitting for a decent average and slugging well. Sadly his progress is blocked by a number of players who can play 1st and might well end up like Chris Carter V1.0.
Players Out
Livan Hernandez: SP (Min/)
(MIN) 23GS 139.7 IP 10-8 5.48 ERA 54 SO 29BB
(COL) 1GS 2.7 IP 0-1 30.38 ERA 1 SO 4 BB
Livan left us as a free agent in the hope of snagging a mega bucks multi year deal but ended up signing for a year with the Twins. After a great start he fell off a cliff around the same time our offence did and after 2 months of sucktitude was DFA and picked up by the Rockies. In his lone start so far he managed to give up 9 earned runs in only 2 2/3 innings, so thanks Livan ;)
Dana Eveland: SP (Oak)
22 GS 125.0 IP 7-8 85 SO 64 BB 4.46 ERA 1.52 WHIP
After a bright start Eveland has faded fast due in a large part to a sharp drop in his K/BB ratio as the season has progressed. His stock has fallen so low as of late that he's not even on the roster for the A's right now and has been DFA
Gregg Smith: SP (Oak)
23 GS 137.7 IP 5-11 90 SO 65 BB 3.92 ERA
Like Eveland, Smith found himself in the A's starting rotation at the start of the season and like his former D-Back he made an immediate impression winning many plaudits for his role in keeping the A's as contenders in a rebuilding year. Sadly much like Eveland his stock has fallen recently but he still has decent numbers on the year.
Jose Valverde: RP (Hou)
55 G 54.3 IP 5-3 29 SV 4.31 ERA 62 SO 19BB
The Valverde deal seems to fluctuate almost weekly between good/bad for the D-Backs. At times Valverde has been dominant bt at other times he's looked lost, so in a way him and Qualls really aren't so different. Still, Jose is on course for around 40 saves and few in Houston will look at an ERA some 1.5 runs higher then last year.
Dustin Nippert: RP (Tex)
13 G 35.7 IP 1-2 24 SO 23 BB 7.82 ERA 2.13 WHIP
After a nightmare start at Texas and injury to boot, Dustin has somewhat settle down and pitched a few innings in the Lone Star State but really nothing spectacular
Brett Anderson: SP (Oak Class A/AA)
(A) 14G 13GS 74 IP 9-4 80 SO 18BB 4.14 ERA 1.16 WHIP
(AA) 5GS 25 IP 2-1 29 SO 8 BB 1.80 ERA 1.04 WHIP
Anderson is progressing nicely so far, already having moved from high A to AA ball and based on early results is settling in well. Again as with all young pitchers its harder to project, especially when you rely on pure numbers but he does seem to have some talent.
Carlos Quentin: OF (CWS)
114 G 423 AB 120 H 82 R 32 HR 90 RBI .284 AVG .947 OPS
For old times sake....
Alberto Callaspo: SS/OF (KAN)
42G 100AB 29H 8R 0 HR 4RBI .290 AVG .679 OPS
Alberto has been blighted by injuries and personal problems this season but in his limited playing time he is showing glimpses of talent.
Tony Clark: 1B (SD/ARI)
(SD) 70G 88AB 21H 5R 1HR 11RBI .239 AVG .684OPS
(ARI) 17G 37AB 8H 4R 2HR 9RBI .216 AVG .698 OPS
Well, we all know how this one worked out... GIDP anyone? Still joking aside Tony came back to the D-Backs after being one of the best examples of a pure pinch hitter around whilst in San Diego. Since coming 'home' to the Diamondbacks Tony has had more playing opportunities but has underwhelmed 2 home runs aside.
Chris Carter: 1B (Oak Single A)
(A+) 118 G 437AB 119H 89R 34HR 97RBI .272AVG .958OPS
So, maybe Byrnes was onto something with 'that trade' after all. It's a small sample size and at A+ level but so far Chris Carter V2.0 is showing some awesome power connecting for 34 Home runs already this season whilst keeping a respectable batting average and OBP to boot. One to watch...
Carlos Gonzalez: OF (Oak/ AAA)
(AAA) 41 G 157 AB 46 H 23 R 4 HR 25 RBI .293 AVG .790 OPS
(OAK) 62 G 234 AB 64 H 25 R 3HR 19 RBI .274 BA .715 OPS
Shortly after I wrote my first review CarGon was called up to join the A's and has held his own in the major leagues. The centrepiece of the Haren deal still has a lot to learn but there is no question about the potential.
Aaron Cunningham: OF (Oak AA/AAA)
(AA) 87 G 347 AB 110H 65R 12 HR 52 RBI .317 AVG .893 OPS
(AAA) 5G 17 AB 7H 7 R 2HR 3RBI .412 AVG 1.506 OPS
Aaron has recently been elevated to AAA and has started brightly after playing well at AA ball for the A's.
I don't have too much to say about these really. I think the interesting bits are the results of the Haren trade. The A's really do look to have received a lot of talent with 3 players making an impact in the big leagues and another at AAA, even below that level Chris Carter seems a genuine power prospect. However from a Diamondbacks perspective we have received a man who is an All Star and a man who is a genuine Cy-Young candidate so we can't be anything but happy. Tony Clark looked to be slowly rocking towards retirement before we granted him a final hurrah, whilst Livan looks a spent force. The trade involving Papa Grande has been a draw so far and we looked to have picked up a decent reserve player/trade bait in Whitesell
So yeah, any fresh feelings/thoughts welcome :)