Diamondbacks Release Tony Clark

by snakecharmer on Jul 13, 2009 12:43 AM EDT in News Comment 89 comments

Veteran Tony Clark's second stint with Arizona came to a close Sunday night, as he was let go by the Diamondbacks. No word yet on his future plans.

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Breaking news from Nick Piecoro's blog - Tony Clark has been let go.

In another move made in part with an eye on 2010, the Diamondbacks on Sunday released veteran first baseman Tony Clark.

Clark, 37 and in his 15th season in the majors, was hitting just .182 with four home runs in 66 at-bats.

...

In parts of five seasons with the Diamondbacks, Clark hit .255 with 59 home runs in 831 at-bats, time mostly spent as the club’s primary pinch-hitter off the bench and as a leader in the clubhouse.

Clearly, this move has been much awaited and will now be much celebrated (at least, here). Piecoro notes that Chad Tracy is in the final guaranteed year of his contract, so the club will likely call up (yet again) Josh Whitesell to get more of a look to see who the first baseman of the future will be. While I'm sure Tony Clark will be missed in the clubhouse, Mark Reynolds has shown that he can step up and be a leader of this team. It's time for the next generation of leaders to come forth.

There is no word yet on whether Clark will retire, seek employment with another team, or head into a front office position. Should this have been his final stint in uniform as a player, Clark will end with a .262 batting average and 251 home runs in 15 seasons with six teams. He was 3rd in Rookie of the Year voting in 1996 and was an All-Star in 2001.

This is breaking news. Surely more details will be coming out during the All-Star break.

[Edited Monday morning] A story from Steve Gilbert at MLB.com has some quotes from Clark on the move. It was not a surprise, but certainly it's never easy hearing that you are no longer useful to an MLB team...

"I'm thankful to the organization for giving me an opportunity to realize the dream of being a part of my hometown team," Clark, a Glendale, Ariz., resident, told MLB.com late Sunday night. "I'm disappointed I was not able to do my part to get them to a World Series."

...

In recent weeks, the team had let Clark know that this day could be coming. He said he was also told that the team would like to have him remain a part of the organization in some capacity when his playing career ends.

"We both remain hopeful that there will be an opportunity in the future to be a part of the organization in one facet or another," Clark said.

Clark will certainly have options. He has been sought after in the past for baseball broadcasting and has been viewed in the game as someone who would make a good manager at some point.

"Going forward I'll continue to work out and exhaust the possibility of continuing to play," Clark said. "If over the course of the next couple of weeks there are not any, I will wholeheartedly look to transition into something else."

No matter what, he and his family will continue their local charitable endeavors. It sounds like he'd like to play, but he also says he told his wife that this may be the end, and he wants to "get it right" whatever his next move will be.

Thanks to Counsellmember for reporting the news in the recap.

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Comments

Too

bad for him, but it’s best for the team.

I was so lucky getting mono. That was like the best diet ever.

by soco on Jul 12, 2009 11:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

two sides of the coin.....

you said it well though

Have we sent the "Don't shoot, we're pathetic" transmission yet?

by unnamedDBacksfan on Jul 12, 2009 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's a super nice guy

but he just wasn’t adding any value to the team. This is definitely the right move.

Things ’Skins has in common with foulpole for 400, please. -- soco

by snakecharmer on Jul 12, 2009 11:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He could be

a great bench coach. I could see the D-backs making him some kind of coach in the minors right away. Or some kind of special assistant. I imagine the FO still wants Tony as part of this team, one way or another.

by G.O.B. on Jul 13, 2009 12:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

will miss TC… but it’s about time.

"Say this much for big league baseball - it is beyond question the greatest conversation piece ever invented in America."
-- Bruce Catton

by njjohn on Jul 13, 2009 12:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia

by DbacksSkins on Jul 13, 2009 12:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

agree

by rapdawg on Jul 13, 2009 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm a bit sad for TC,

but it’s been obvious for awhile that he just doesn’t have it anymore. I hope he comes back and joins the team as a bench or hitting coach, even if he opts to finish the rest of the season with another team.

"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia

by DbacksSkins on Jul 13, 2009 12:26 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'll

be happy to see Big Josh rejoin the squad, too. (Presumably it’ll be him rather than Ryan Roberts)

"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia

by DbacksSkins on Jul 13, 2009 12:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Dancing in the streets scheduled for 10pm

This was a triumph.
I’m making a note here: HUGE SUCCESS.
It’s hard to overstate my satisfaction.

Our GM is Josh Byrnes
He does what he must because he can.
For the good of all of us
Except, of course, Tony Clark….

But there’s no sense crying over every lost game
You just keep on playing till there’s someone to blame
So the trades get made and now Clark’s been DFAd
It’s the D-backs who are still alive.

He’s not even angry.
Tony is so sincere right now.
Even though you broke his heart and canned him.
And tore it to pieces, and threw every piece into a fire.
As they burned it hurt because he was so happy for you.

Now the plan starts here for next season, I suppose
And we’ve room for Whitesell or for Allen – who knows?
Kinda glad Clark got fired, all those strikeouts left us tired
Now the D-back fans are still alive.

Eric, are you next?.
If I were him, I’d try to hide
Maybe we’ll find other veteran presence.
Maybe get Manny –
THAT WAS A JOKE. HA HA, FAT CHANCE.
All-Star Game is coming up
We’ll watch for Justin and Dan

Look at me still talking when I’ve recaps to link.
Wait a minute – it’s Sunday, so it’s ‘Skins job I think.
But I’ve Gameday Threads to run, sabermetrics to be done
For the fans who are still alive…

"Win, or die" -- Marquise de Merteuil

by Jim McLennan on Jul 13, 2009 12:38 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

But seriously, Jim.

What are your true feelings?

"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia

by DbacksSkins on Jul 13, 2009 12:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Heh...

you should publish it on Bardball.

And people say I'm cynical, they never want the truth but life will have more twists and turns than found in any book....

by katers on Jul 13, 2009 12:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, good call.

"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia

by DbacksSkins on Jul 13, 2009 1:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can't claim the credit

For those who didn’t get the reference:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6ljFaKRTrI
Now you can sing along. :-)

"Win, or die" -- Marquise de Merteuil

by Jim McLennan on Jul 13, 2009 3:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nerrrrrrrrrrrrrrd!

But I laughed. Repeatedly.

"Wait, am I keeping it real or kicking it old school? I can never remember which one is cool now."

by kishi on Jul 13, 2009 2:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+999999999999999999999999999999999999

For the Portal reference.

"The D-Backs are the abusive husband to my battered wife... But I always go back to them."

by IHateSouthBend on Jul 14, 2009 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Since returning to the D-backs in mid-2008

Clark hit .198 in 72 games, with an OPS+ of just 81. He struck out 46 times in 124 at-bats.

"Win, or die" -- Marquise de Merteuil

by Jim McLennan on Jul 13, 2009 12:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Dance in the streets!

by Wailord on Jul 13, 2009 1:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Woooh!

I spent way too long sitting in a car on the side of the road with a dead phone today, but it’s slightly better because: DFA! DFA! DFA! DFA!

"Wait, am I keeping it real or kicking it old school? I can never remember which one is cool now."

by kishi on Jul 13, 2009 2:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Granted

It’s just a straight up release, but that doesn’t chant as well.

"Wait, am I keeping it real or kicking it old school? I can never remember which one is cool now."

by kishi on Jul 13, 2009 2:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah....

he was DFA’d. WE know the truth….

"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia

by DbacksSkins on Jul 13, 2009 3:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fun fact time!

If this is indeed the last team that Clark will play he will have banked a career total of $22,287,000. For those of you wondering, his highest contract year was in 2002 when he tricked the Red Sox into giving him $5 million. Clark was the second overall pick of the, hold your breath, 1990 draft.

So how does that compare to some other notable contracts? Well according to the Associated Press (and Philadelphia Inquirer) there are currently five players who surpass Tony Clark’s career salary in just one season. Those players and their respectable contracts are:

x-Roger Clemens, NYY 2007 $28,000,022
*Alex Rodriguez, NYY 2008-17 $27,500,000
Alex Rodriguez, NYY 2001-10 $25,200,000 (Yeah, he’s on here twice)
*CC Sabathia, NYY 2009-15 $23,000,000
*Mark Teixeira, NYY 2009-16 $22,500,000
*Johan Santana, NYM 2008-13 $22,916,667

*current deal
x-joined club in June and received prorated salary of $17,442,637.

A-Rod has already notched $198,416,252 and is due for much, much more. It’s pretty shocking when you sit around and look at these types of numbers. Clark was never the ‘superstar’ first baseman that teams hoped he would be, but he was still productive throughout the majority of his career. He was the fifth-fastest player to reach 50 career home runs and batted in 117 runs in 1997.

Oh, and slightly more on topic, I would love to see him utilized as a coach.

Wear your own fur.

by Sprankton on Jul 13, 2009 3:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Not sure what any of this means....

"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia

by DbacksSkins on Jul 13, 2009 4:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It means

It took Tony Clark fifteen seasons to make what those five players make in one season. I just thought it was a neat perspective on things, especially for a guy who started his career pretty well and was drafted second overall.

Meh…

Wear your own fur.

by Sprankton on Jul 13, 2009 4:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ahh.

I get what you’re getting at now.

"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia

by DbacksSkins on Jul 13, 2009 4:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow

I didn’t realize Clark was picked so highly in the draft.

"Wait, am I keeping it real or kicking it old school? I can never remember which one is cool now."

by kishi on Jul 13, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Finally

I hope this means Whitesell gets 200 PA to show what he can do. His first stint was poor, but in his second stint he hit something like .300/.450/.450 and still got sent down when TC came off the DL.

His overall numbers will be dragged down by that first stint but I think he can make it here.

by paqs on Jul 13, 2009 7:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

2009 OPS+, Diamondback First Basemen

Tony Clark 90
Whitsell 79
Tracy 69
CoJack 35

If the FO is the focus of anything, something is seriously wrong with the picture ! - unnamedDBacksfan 2/20/09

by Diamondhacks on Jul 13, 2009 9:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think valley fever

and pneumonia are valid excuses for Conor.

What were Whitsells numbers the first time he was up and then the 2nd time he was up? I’d still rather see what he can do versus another past his prime “Proven Veteran©”

Have we sent the "Don't shoot, we're pathetic" transmission yet?

by unnamedDBacksfan on Jul 13, 2009 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've got no issue

with releasing Clark. My issue is with scribes who cast disproportionate blame his way, and who seem rather eager to scapegoat him for more general shortcomings. The guy had 66 at bats, a handful more than Whitesell – half as many as Chad Tracy.

The main reason Clark got that many was because Josh Byrnes’ first base situation is a relative disaster.

If the FO is the focus of anything, something is seriously wrong with the picture ! - unnamedDBacksfan 2/20/09

by Diamondhacks on Jul 13, 2009 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But isn't it easier...

to scapegoat a player here and a player there, then to look at the deeper problems? Hang it all on TC and Eric Byrnes. It’s all their fault. Of course, without them the D’Backs would not have sniffed the 2007 playoffs, but isn’t it fun to verbally beat them up for what is, actually, an overall team failure? Neither one of them has committed every defensive error. Neither one of them has caused the BP to blow huge leads. Neither one of them is responsible for every single offensive frustration. They’ve both disappointed. They’ve both had injuries. Neither one hit. However, they’re not the only ones. If both of them disappeared from the roster tomorrow, the D’Backs are in just as much trouble as they were yesterday. Josh Whitesell is the fix? Really? He who is pushing 30 and is a career minor leaguer?

by azshadowwalker on Jul 13, 2009 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

who is saying Whitesell is the fix

or that Byrnes and TC are the cause of our problems? Everyone just recognized TC was done and was wasting space where younger guys can get their licks in a failed season. Not a single soul here expects us to be an exponentially better team due to this roster move. Chillax!

Go DBacks!

by AJforAZ on Jul 13, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually,

I DO think Byrnes and TC were the causes of all our problems. Now that we’ve released TC, we’ll go 73-0 in the 2nd half and win the NL West.

"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia

by DbacksSkins on Jul 13, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's true

I think we’re all relieved that we won’t have to watch Tony come in out of the bullpen and blow another save situation.

"Wait, am I keeping it real or kicking it old school? I can never remember which one is cool now."

by kishi on Jul 13, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ugh....

I hated when BoMel brought in Tony to preserve a lead. It’s like the guy couldn’t pitch for shit.

"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia

by DbacksSkins on Jul 14, 2009 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

In the ranks of first basemen pitching

He’s no Mark Grace.

"Wait, am I keeping it real or kicking it old school? I can never remember which one is cool now."

by kishi on Jul 14, 2009 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nobody said a word about

Whitesell coming to save us or the season.

Have we sent the "Don't shoot, we're pathetic" transmission yet?

by unnamedDBacksfan on Jul 14, 2009 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Obviously he is, though.

Now that we’ll have Josh full-time, we will be full of win.

"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia

by DbacksSkins on Jul 14, 2009 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

so it is scapegoating

to rid the roster of players who are grossly under performing and we should keep a logjam in the outfield and at first base? Granted, the logjams aren’t TC or EB’s fault.
That we should never, ever use the rest of a season like this one to evaluate our younger talent so we can move forward?
Why is it that certain parts of this fan base always want to live ion the past? 2007 is done and over. Yet, we are suppose to be so grateful for that season that we must keep two grossly underperforming “proven vets©”? I wonder what Steve Finley is doing these days?

Have we sent the "Don't shoot, we're pathetic" transmission yet?

by unnamedDBacksfan on Jul 14, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Baseball-Reference has his OPS+ on the season at 83. And while we know he had power, he just wasn’t making contact. When you have nearly as many Ks as total bases…

"Wait, am I keeping it real or kicking it old school? I can never remember which one is cool now."

by kishi on Jul 13, 2009 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

As noted previously

His OPS+ was actually 83. And thanks to the small number of at-bats, his freakish performance on Opening Day was responsible for a disproportionate chunk of that. His line since Opening Day is .161/.284/.323 for an OPS of just .606.

To be fair, let’s also take off Tracy’s and Whitesell’s best day. Tracy, that’s April 29, when he was a triple short of a cycle and walked; Whitesell, it’s June 8th, 2-for-3 with a double and a walk. The results are Whitesell (.621) and Tracy (.615). So unless you expect Tony to hit two home runs in a game again soon – and it hadn’t happened at all between April 2007 and April 2009 [hell, he didn’t even hit two in the same MONTH last year] – Clark should every sign of being the worst-hitting first baseman on the roster.

No, it won’t make us playoff contenders, any more than anyone said getting rid of Melvin would. But, like firing Melvin, it’s a move in the right direction. Of course, Clark should never have been re-signed, or even traded from San Diego, to begin with.

"Win, or die" -- Marquise de Merteuil

by Jim McLennan on Jul 13, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Clark's magnificent Opening Day

was disproportionately responsible for his seasonal success, but that’s precisely why you excluded it – to prop up another personal opinion with spurious statistical contortions. If you feel Tony’s our worst hitting first baseman, then fine – it’s hardly an outrageous opinion, and I’d eagerly chime in he’s our worst all-around first sacker. But to cynically carve up perfectly good sets of seasonal hitting stats at odds with your little vendetta – under the guise of “being fair” – is beneath any serious analyst.

Again, I have no issue with Clark’s release, and agree he’s looked overmatched. My gripe is with your “dancing in the streets” campaign, the excesses of which I understand are in jest. But it’s not all in jest, is it? Your underlying point, the one you want to linger with people, is that this is a Step In The Right Direction for the organization. My counter, by listing the comparative OPS+ (90 vs 83 doesnt change the point), isnt to show TC is “good”, or measurably better than Whitesell/Tracy – it’s to remind people that exchanging Clark for Tracy/Whitesell, in terms of being competitive in the National League, is likely a Very Small Step.

Your excessive “celebration” (hey, that’s a 15 yard penalty in the NFL!) implies otherwise. That’s my only beef regarding Clark.

Similarly, your assertion that “firing Melvin {is} a step in the right direction” is a (strident?) article of faith at this point, and nothing more. Understandable, I guess, for one professing near religious fealty to front office Gods with our best interests at heart :-)

cheers

If the FO is the focus of anything, something is seriously wrong with the picture ! - unnamedDBacksfan 2/20/09

by Diamondhacks on Jul 13, 2009 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Any reasonable analysis

Should exclude freak occurrences. I’m sorry you don’t agree, but we’ve seen your failure to grasp basic statistical principles before, so it’s really no surprise.

This is not some new, Hinch-inspired vendetta. I was against Clark getting traded from San Diego. And he sucked then. I was completely against him getting re-signed by the ‘front-office gods’ for this season – though why let the facts get in the way of your hysterical polemic? But when it became clear that 2009 was no longer the focus, about the time Melvin got his marching orders, Clark became completely superfluous on the roster.

It’s not about being ‘competitive in the National League’ in 2009, it’s about being able to assess whether Whitesell has what it takes to be the first-baseman in 2010. We lost 50 games which Whitesell should have been playing: wasted fifty games more major-league experience he could have had for next season. Instead, they were wasted on a Padres reject. Yeah, it’s about frickin’ time.

You may not agree, and that’s perfectly fine – but for about the nine millionth time, your labeling of those who hold different opinions says far more about you than anything else.

"Win, or die" -- Marquise de Merteuil

by Jim McLennan on Jul 13, 2009 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Any reasonable analysis should exclude freak occurrences….we’ve seen your failure to grasp basic statistical principles before, so it’s really no surprise

Your first two “basic statistical principles”, evidently, are to insult people and never admit you’re in over your head {gurgle}. The third, and funniest, is that you decree what “freak occurences” are – opening up the Pandora’s box that pejorative phrase implies. Fourth, let’s call it a corollary, is you get to subjectively extract these unlike “anomalies” from comparative performance analysis.

Tony Clark hits two homers in a game. Which was the freak? Please enlighten us. Oh, that’s right, 250 career homers and they’re both freaks, in your statistically principled world. giggle

Tony Clark Anomalies. Must. Exlude. Freaks. Then, to be “fair” (your word, not mine), you banish Whitesell’s single and double from consideration. Oooh ahhh! Well, thank goodness you’re a qualified statistician able to confirm our nagging suspicion that Whitesell’s single and double are, indeed, SUPERfreaky!!!

Your application of statistics here, and so often, is results-driven, cherrypicked nonsense, which in and of itself isnt a big deal. People make mistakes. It’s the petulant defiance, on top of the offending illogic, that’s so tiresome and bizzare.

Your final three paragraphs are a blustery exercise in sidestepping the issue….pass.

If the FO is the focus of anything, something is seriously wrong with the picture ! - unnamedDBacksfan 2/20/09

by Diamondhacks on Jul 13, 2009 10:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So, basically, you've got nothing

Except your usual insults and misrepresentation. Still, guess it beats trumpeting flat-out fake numbers about Clark’s OPS+. Though I’m sure you’ll claim this was yet another ‘honest mistake’ – which, as always, just happened to inflate your case, until you got caught. Again. Oops.

Sorry, who is it that’s in over their head?

"Win, or die" -- Marquise de Merteuil

by Jim McLennan on Jul 13, 2009 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I knew you'd swing back to the OPS+

because you’ve lost on the relevant merits. Really, I’d expect nothing less from one pissing and moaning about an irrelevant typo of “homophobic” elsewhere. Pls consider OPS+ your little victory here. I made a mistake – 90 should have been 83. BFD :-)

It’s sad, because we really dont disagree all that much about Clark. I just found your dancing on his proverbial grave a bit excessive, and lent some gentle perspective to the issue. No big deal, until you proved unwilling to absorb or assimilate the information in the spirit it was intended.

I’m tired of beating you up, frankly. Have been for a while. I’m sure you’re as tired of the protocol as I am:

You say something incorrect or outrageous.
I bring it to your attention.
You call me a stupid liar.
Then I make you look really foolish, and you either slink away or threaten to ban me

Of course, it wouldnt happen at all if you werent so prideful and thin skinned – that’s what gets you in hot water more than the initial assumptions and factual inaccuracies.

If the FO is the focus of anything, something is seriously wrong with the picture ! - unnamedDBacksfan 2/20/09

by Diamondhacks on Jul 14, 2009 12:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is why we can't have nice things

There is a good discussion to be had on the merits or otherwise of Tony Clark. However, you are clearly not the person with whom it’s possible to have the debate because, as so many times before, you turn it into a personal attack on me. I feel I have to defend myself, and things degenerate from there until the thread has to be locked.

Therefore a simple new rule – which applies to everyone, but let’s be honest, ’Hacks is basically the only one guilty of breaking it. Mods and editors can hide or delete any post they feel moves from a discussion of an issue to a personal attack. The above post can be used as Exhibit A, since it contains basically no mention of Tony Clark at all.

"Win, or die" -- Marquise de Merteuil

by Jim McLennan on Jul 14, 2009 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why don't...

…you guys just meet at the swingset at 2 and fight it out?

Wasn’t TC having a better year offensively than Chris Young?

by VladHammer on Jul 14, 2009 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No

"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia

by DbacksSkins on Jul 14, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hells

No.

"The D-Backs are the abusive husband to my battered wife... But I always go back to them."

by IHateSouthBend on Jul 14, 2009 8:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've always wondered...

Is Jim really Hacks? And Hacks Jim? Is this just a stunt to get more traffic to the site?

If so….nice work. Keep it up DiamondJim

by Counsellmember on Jul 14, 2009 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I doubt it,

but that WOULD be impressive.

"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia

by DbacksSkins on Jul 14, 2009 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

Dammit, our secret is out. :-) Er, my secret.

"Win, or die" -- Marquise de Merteuil

by Jim McLennan on Jul 14, 2009 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Remember where the #'s came from...

Opening Day, a pinch-hit HR, etc. Whitesell was second on the team in OPS in June, and Tracy’s finally just getting healthy and starting to hit really well. Jackson was infected. That explains pretty much everything…

"The D-Backs are the abusive husband to my battered wife... But I always go back to them."

by IHateSouthBend on Jul 14, 2009 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

TC had the benefit of a miniscule sample size.

"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia

by DbacksSkins on Jul 14, 2009 8:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hi Skins!

I need something to do.

"The D-Backs are the abusive husband to my battered wife... But I always go back to them."

by IHateSouthBend on Jul 14, 2009 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You've got

a good start so far?

"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia

by DbacksSkins on Jul 15, 2009 12:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

quick off topic note

http://www.scribd.com/full/17307814?access_key=key-b51zwnu6cmptu1y7vn6

Elias Rankings to date have surfaced. DD is a type B free agent and Qualls is a type A. Meanwhile Garland is 0-fer. SO if these guys were to be dealt JByrnes will be looking for equivalent talent in return if we offered them arbitration.

Go DBacks!

by AJforAZ on Jul 13, 2009 1:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

What?

Randy “ERA of 4.81” Johnson is a Type A, but Doug is a Type B? WTF?

"Wait, am I keeping it real or kicking it old school? I can never remember which one is cool now."

by kishi on Jul 13, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Okay

Now I’m assuming that it takes more than one season into account, right? Otherwise, I’ve got no clue why Webby is a Type A…

"Wait, am I keeping it real or kicking it old school? I can never remember which one is cool now."

by kishi on Jul 13, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep

Two most recent seasons.

"Win, or die" -- Marquise de Merteuil

by Jim McLennan on Jul 13, 2009 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought

it was the last three?

"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia

by DbacksSkins on Jul 13, 2009 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not according

To this. "The rankings are compiled based upon player performance over the past two seasons. "

"Win, or die" -- Marquise de Merteuil

by Jim McLennan on Jul 13, 2009 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Elias Sucks

And values wins. A lot. It’s a huge downer. By the by, no way anybody gives up a first-rounder for RJ. I see another Juan Cruz situation coming up where they have to negotiate the compensation.

"The D-Backs are the abusive husband to my battered wife... But I always go back to them."

by IHateSouthBend on Jul 14, 2009 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No shit.

"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia

by DbacksSkins on Jul 14, 2009 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I read

that interest in DD has really cooled off and we were looking at a possible extension (??)

Have we sent the "Don't shoot, we're pathetic" transmission yet?

by unnamedDBacksfan on Jul 13, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd be for it

as Garland surely won’t be back next year and I expect Jarrod Parker will be at maximum a 5 starter on a innings cap next year.

Go DBacks!

by AJforAZ on Jul 13, 2009 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1

"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia

by DbacksSkins on Jul 13, 2009 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Golly I hope we keep Parker in AAA

Position guys skipping a level to get to the majors – fine. Pitchers? Nooooooooo. September 2010 debut, please.

"The D-Backs are the abusive husband to my battered wife... But I always go back to them."

by IHateSouthBend on Jul 14, 2009 9:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't mind him

being a September callup this year.

"In the future, I want to be a fossil. Or, at least have my feces be fossilized"
-Pygalgia

by DbacksSkins on Jul 15, 2009 12:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

As long as he's making less money than he is now

Which, given that he’s having a great statistical season, is probably not happening. At least keep it short, the guy’s getting old… Look forward to over-paying him for the next three years. Meh.

"The D-Backs are the abusive husband to my battered wife... But I always go back to them."

by IHateSouthBend on Jul 14, 2009 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Qualls not a free agent

Arbitration eligible this year, free agent in 2011. <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=2&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rotoworld.com%2Fcontent%2Fplayerpages%2Fplayer_main.aspx%3Fsport%3DMlb%26id%3D3919&ei=KHNbSriLOYWYsgOS2eyDCw&rct=j&q=chad+qualls+contract+diamondbacks&usg=AFQjCNF3aiqZK5VnEdb40D0P8hyRJOPa8g" target="new">Link

"Win, or die" -- Marquise de Merteuil

by Jim McLennan on Jul 13, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs