Diamondbacks Trade Candidates

by Marc Fournier on May 13, 2009 6:13 PM EDT

It's a tough pill to swallow and none of us want to hear it but sooner or later we're going to have to start discussing who will be leaving Arizona come the end of July. Tim Dierkes of mlbtraderumors has jumpstarted the assumption that the D-Backs will be a selling team and has compiled a vague list as to who could be traded. It's not exactly the most informative but it does put things into perspective and makes you wonder what the odds are that any of these trades could occur.

Eric Byrnes, OF - $8.7MM remaining in '09, $11MM in '10, no-trade protection. The 33 year-old outfielder is hitting .207/.257/.413 in 102 plate appearances on the season. Most teams probably view this as a $20MM commitment to a fourth outfielder, so the D'Backs would have to accept another bad contract in return to move Byrnes.

Doug Davis, SP - $6.9MM remaining in '09. If you're wondering what type of pitchers might be available in July, Davis is a great example. The 33 year-old southpaw has a 3.25 ERA in 44.3 innings. He's improved his control, but is fortunate to have a .263 batting average on balls in play.

Jon Garland, SP - $4.94MM remaining in '09, $10MM mutual option for '10 with a $2.5MM buyout if club declines or a $1MM buyout if Garland declines. If Garland is traded, his new club cannot offer him arbitration if he's a Type A free agent. The 29 year-old righty has a 5.18 ERA in 41.6 innings. His walk and strikeout rates have surprisingly moved in the wrong directions upon switching to the NL. He may be tougher to trade than Davis.

Felipe Lopez, 2B - $2.77MM remaining in '09. Lopez picked up where he left off with the Cardinals - .328/.390/.504 in 146 plate appearances this year. He's even been above average defensively, according to UZR. Lopez is represented by Scott Boras and is only 29, so he's primed for a big free agent contract. He could be a useful addition for the White Sox or Twins.

Chad Tracy, 1B - $3.75MM remaining in '09, $7MM option with a $1MM buyout for '10. Tracy is off to a slow start at .207/.239/.366 in 88 plate appearances.

Scott Schoeneweis, RP - Mets paying $1.6MM of his $3.6MM '09 salary. He's done his job, holding lefties to a .182/.217/.318 line. He might make sense for the Cubs.

Jon Rauch, RP - $1.58MM remaining in '09, $2.9MM club option for '10. Rauch has been terrible since joining the D'Backs last year - a 6.76 ERA in 37.3 innings.

Tom Gordon, RP - $500K salary plus incentives. Flash, 41, is back on the DL with a hamstring injury.

Role players Tony Clark and Augie Ojeda could also be made available.

- http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/05/diamondbacks-trade-candidates.html

The few notables that really sink in are Lopez and Davis. Tim also mentioned in a previous article that "Davis admitted that his contract situation "pretty much goes through my head every day." He's motivated by his contract year, and doesn't understand the team's anti-incentive policy." Eric Byrnes, Chad Tracy, and Chris Young have also been rumored but to a lesser extent. Brandon Webb is currently off the radar due to his injury and may be stuck with the D-Backs until the offseason.

So if the season continues with the current ongoing trend, who do you think will be traded? What trades would you like to see? Do you think it's too soon to consider?

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Comments

Keep Lopez.
Keep Byrnes, no one will pick up his contract so it won’t be worth trading a bad player for another bad player.
Keep Garland.
Break Rauch’s nose or jaw. Not because he is an awful pitcher who can never strike anyone out or pitch a good inning. But break his nose or jaw because it will most likey make his face easier to look at once the break heals. God he is ugly.

If I see one more Eric Byrnes 'flip throw' I will shoot myself a whole bunch of times.

by edbigghead on May 13, 2009 6:29 PM EDT reply actions

Good idea for a FanPost,

although it makes me sad.

:-(

Jim Zorn, 55. Sean Miller, 40. AJ Hinch, 34. Notice a pattern here?

by DbacksSkins on May 13, 2009 6:55 PM EDT reply actions

Trade Lopez

He is the only one that will bring back something we need. We won’t be able to afford him next year anyway with Boris representing him so the best thing we can do is trade him for a hitter that we can control long term or at least semi-long term. Hate to see him go though.

by TheDBackFan on May 13, 2009 7:07 PM EDT reply actions

The below commentary only applies

if we don’t get off the bus to suckville before mid-June.

- We are stuck with Byrnes. Thanks a f’ing lot, Moorad. Hopefully you brought your talent-identifying acumen to San Diego. Of course, if Byrnes had a 2008/2009 with equal numbers to 2007, Moorad would be praised.
- Hopefully Davis continues his solid performances. If he does, trade him.
- Garland should be traded – his contract is a good value
- Lopez should be kept but might not want to stay if we keep sucking
- Nobody will touch Tracy, he’s just not that good.
- Schoeneweis will get traded to a playoff contender, prob AL East.
- Rauch needs a haircut, and we’re stuck with him.

by venomfan on May 13, 2009 7:15 PM EDT reply actions

DISCONCUR

If anything, Rauch needs to go back to his old haircut. That’s much more intimidating than the current awkward buzz cut.

by dahlian on May 13, 2009 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions

As a one-year rental

Lopez looks like a likely trade candidate. I’d love to keep him, but it’s a catch-22. If he keeps playing well, he’ll probably get more money than we can afford. If he suddenly turns into the Nationals’ version, then he isn’t worth keeping.

With the noises he’s making, Davis could be a good trade option too. He doesn’t sound happy with the front office.

Garland, Tracy, Schoenweis, and Rauch could all find a home with the right team too. I’m not sure what got into Rauch, but he is definitely improving. Maybe we should move him before he kerplodes again.

My favorite trade of all is this: find the cause (or the causes) of the thick, choking stink emanating from the dugout and move him (or them) to another team. I was hoping that the funk came from Bob Melvin (and maybe it did and we’re still airing it out) but some part of the team just isn’t working well. It seems to be dragging everyone down with it. The strikeouts and errors may be frustrating, but I can live with them. I’m not sure I can live with the dazed, inattentive play we’re seen the last few games. It would be great to sort it out before it becomes a habit.

"We...probed them all the way through. They're completely meat." — Terry Bisson

by Scrbl on May 13, 2009 7:59 PM EDT reply actions

what

has davis said? i haven’t read any of that?

like a tornado hitting a jelly bean factory on Halloween.

by leemellon on May 14, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Ask, and ye shall receive

Link

He also realizes what might happen if the Diamondbacks aren’t in the playoff race in mid-summer. “I can probably guarantee that, with my salary, I’d be the first one to go, too, if we’re in the same situation we’re in now,” he said. “Therefore, I know I could be more valuable to them if they get rid of me. I understand the business of baseball. I’d hate to go, but at the same time I understand. That’s the way the business is. But I’m not jumping to any conclusions. It’s way too early in the season for that.”

"Win, or die" -- Marquise de Merteuil

by Jim McLennan on May 14, 2009 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Pitching

I think Davis, along with all pitchers are just upset that the team is killing their opportunity to make more money. With no run support, their era’s will not stay low forever, because they will stop caring. i can see Davis getting traded to a team in a pitcher’s park. He would be better in San Diego or LA but he won’t be traded there. Maybe Chicago or Atlanta or back to the Brewers. Lopez will get traded and Auggie will become the everyday 2nd baseman. I think they should keep Garland. They have him on the cheap and he’s been better than expected. As for the rest, I think they would have traded them by now if they had the opportunity. We are stuck with them. The only tradeable pieces we currently have are Lopez, Upton, Webb, Haren Qualls, and, to a certain extent, Scherzer.

by haas on May 14, 2009 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions

What about Snyder?

What’s his contract situation? He seems to have been the most outspoken about BoMel’s firing, and has been rewarded with getting taken out of the everyday catcher role. Would he want to leave, do you think?

It's like living with a six-year old.

by 4 Corners Fan on May 14, 2009 11:32 AM EDT reply actions

Chris Snyder was resigned in the off season.

He’s got a contract through the 2012 season.
2009: 3 million
2010: 4.75 million
2011: 5.75 million
2012: 6.75 million club option (750K buyout)

by Pyromnc on May 14, 2009 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions

No,

Chris Snyder was re-signed in the off season. He was resigned to losing.

Jim Zorn, 55. Sean Miller, 40. AJ Hinch, 34. Notice a pattern here?

by DbacksSkins on May 14, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions

wok wok

jabba jabba

like a tornado hitting a jelly bean factory on Halloween.

by leemellon on May 14, 2009 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions

::rimshot::

Jim Zorn, 55. Sean Miller, 40. AJ Hinch, 34. Notice a pattern here?

by DbacksSkins on May 14, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions

saving money

So sad. You wait for months for the baseball season to arrive,checking the AZ Republic for news on your favorite team, discussing it with your kids,listening to their views and the word on the street from their schools. You kit them out in new DBack tees,plan which home games through the summer we’ll go to as a family and which they can bring some of their friends. You watch ST (4 long drives to Tucson with 5 kids in a van is the price to pay) and get real excited about April.

My guys feel cheated. My 15 year old has turned away from baseball. My 13 year old (OMG) has decided he will now support the Red Sox. My 11 year old has chosen not to waste another day at the ballpark.

The good news? I’ll save at least $280 a month real cash!

The bad news? I am depressed and will be all summer..

by AZshortstop on May 16, 2009 3:27 AM EDT reply actions

I would

just leave your 13 year old on a street corner somewhere.

Jim Zorn, 55. Sean Miller, 40. AJ Hinch, 34. Notice a pattern here?

by DbacksSkins on May 18, 2009 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Updated predictions

Felipe Lopez – GONE. He’ll bring a huge value in return, and can be replaced by Roberts.

Rauch – GONE. His pitches bite well in humid climates. Here in AZ, they just bite.

Not sure about anyone else, unless we are out of the playoff race by mid-June. If so, add Webb to the list. Hopefully Byrnes too.

by venomfan on May 27, 2009 4:53 AM EDT reply actions

TTT

See alot of talk about who is going..but any thoughts on who may be coming?

I dont think Webb will go. not while on DL….being now with this injury, we may be able to resign him cheaper now.

Montero maybe? Snyder plays better as an every day catcher..win win situation for us..especially with roberts able to catch and give Snyds a day off.

Lopez.. Honestly..let him go..he is not produing any RBI’s for us what so ever. Too bad we didnt get Adam kennedy in the off-season.

Lopez.. Honestly..let him go..he is not produing any RBI’s for us what so ever. Too bad we didnt get Adam kennedy in the off-season.Rauch..Buh bye.

Lopez.. Honestly..let him go..he is not produing any RBI’s for us what so ever. Too bad we didnt get Adam kennedy in the off-season.Rauch..Buh bye.ESPN was talkin about Qualls being delt..hope not.

Lopez.. Honestly..let him go..he is not produing any RBI’s for us what so ever. Too bad we didnt get Adam kennedy in the off-season.Rauch..Buh bye.ESPN was talkin about Qualls being delt..hope not.I think Roberts is becoming our new Ojeda..And thats fine with me. (Roberts for last bobble head!!!!!)Byrens and CY..Both go.. Leave Parra, upton..and maybe snag Holiday from oakland???

Freeze it..and make a popsicle

by Baja F1 on Jun 2, 2009 2:00 PM EDT reply actions