D-backs' Bits and Pieces: Webb's contract, surgery for Snyder and Byrnes' impending doom?
by Jim McLennan on Sep 24, 2009 3:15 AM EDT
in Diamondbacks News
Email
Print
Here's a collection of semi-random stuff from the past few days, that I never quite got round to posting, what with one thing or another. Given it's an off day on Thursday, might as well have something to talk about. We discuss the rumblings concerning the future - or otherwise - of Eric Byrnes,;the latest word from Brandon Webb on what he wants from the Diamondbacks [a clue: it's green and has pictures of American presidents on it]; we look at the latest Diamondback to go under the knife; and we hear the latest from manager AJ Hinch, courtesy of KTAR. All that and more (if I can find it!), after the jump.
D-Backs could cut ties with Eric Byrnes - Scott Bordow of the Tribune says, "Don’t be surprised if the Arizona Diamondbacks eat the final year of Eric Byrnes’ three-year, $30 million deal and release him in the offseason... The Diamondbacks will take a lot of grief if they release Byrnes. But it would be the right thing to do." A lot of grief? From who, exactly? Fans of The Eric Byrnes Show? Mrs. Byrnes? I think even Eric would probably have to admit that, at this point, the justification for keeping him on the roster in 2010 is hard to find, even for the most ardent supporter.
Rob Neyer also covers the topic of Byrnes, saying "While $30 million might have been a bit much, considering Byrnes' age, it was not outrageous. The Diamondbacks might reasonably have expected $25 million of performance, and another $5 million of goodwill." Just for the record, fangraphs.com has Byrnes at a value of $12.4m in 2006 and $16.7m, so on that basis, $30m for three years indeed doesn't seem exorbitant. Just a shame that his total value since is minus $3.2 million.
Webb not interested in taking pay cut - The Republic reports that Brandon Webb is not interested in restructuring a deal or reducing his team option for 2010. "I'm not interested in doing that. If it comes down to that and they ask me to do something like that, I would have to - just for myself - see what else is out there and see if there's something better." So much for Nick Piecoro's carefully-crafted alternative, involving innings-based incentives. It looks like we will either have to pay or watch him walk. The timing is unfortunate: we have to pay him $2m anyway, and have no chance to see him pitch before we have to decide. I've a feeling we will end up biting, and 2010 will be his free-agency audition.
Chris Snyder had surgery on his back yesterday. The process, known as microdisectom, is to relieve pressure caused by a bulging disk in his spine on a nerve, and involves the removal of a small portion of bone over the nerve root. It's regarded as a fairly simple procedure. "The success rate for a microdiscectomy spine surgery is approximately 90% to 95%, although 5% to 10% of patients will develop a recurrent disc herniation at some point in the future." It also says, "Post-operatively, patients may return to a normal level of daily activity quickly." but I doubt that applies to major-league catchers to quite the same extent!
As Piecoro points out, this probably does put the end to any chance of trading Snyder over the winter; no-one will give us much for a catcher with a poor 2009 season, coming off back surgery, even of the most trivial kind. Looks like it'll be Snyder and Miguel Montero on Opening Day 2010, which has got to be annoying for John Hester - he has looked not bad at all, albeit in very limited playing time. He's gone 7-for-20 with three extra-base hits. I think we could do much worse as a backup next season. However, he only just turned 26 last week, so it's not like this will be his last opportunity.
Here's a somewhat-poorly AJ Hinch, chatting with Gambo and Ash on Tuesday. It's okay, we have checked the sound file does not have any nasty viruses... He discusses the recent malaise as the team goes through the last few weeks of the year, the defensive miscues and how fixing them is one of his (many) top priorities during the upcoming off-season.
Audio courtesy of KTAR 620
62 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Two million bucks , not too shabby.
Do you know what our ace is making in his second year?
And he has to actually work for it.
Ya know...ignorance really IS bliss.
Well - I do , anyway.
by victor frankenstein on Sep 24, 2009 4:21 AM EDT reply actions
Webb
made $335,000 his second year. So do you have a point?
You know how you get to Carnegie Hall, doncha? Practice.
More to the point
What’s Zito’s win/dollar at these days :D
Time for another drink then?
http://www.wimbles.wordpress.com
Hang on , one at a time. My head hurts.
1. Who , me? Sorry , missed by a year.
The Webbheads’ motivator made $65 , 000 more in his second year then The Enchanter did.
2. I dunno , but he makes $2.60 a second picking his nose/posing for TMZ/tossing that awesome 12/6 .
Ya know...ignorance really IS bliss.
Well - I do , anyway.
by victor frankenstein on Sep 24, 2009 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Oh wow
a whole 65k. Again, do you have a point, or you do you want to continue blathering on?
You know how you get to Carnegie Hall, doncha? Practice.
Noop , belly up.
Ya know...ignorance really IS bliss.
Well - I do , anyway.
by victor frankenstein on Sep 24, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm happy picking up the option
You have to figure he’s going to pitch at some point and the fact is he’s not a young pitcher who’s been reliant on a 95mph fastball who’s gone down.
The fact is Webb has been around the majors for 6 and a bit seasons and has the experience of pitching rather then just throwing. $6.5 million to keep him with us might (a big might) also help us keep him around in the future who knows?
As for EB22, I’d keep hold of him on the roster, it’s not like there are people like (he who shan’t be named) or JUP waiting in the minors to take his spot. Even if he’s the 25th man on the roster there is always a chance he can turn it around after playing some winter ball and contribute.
I know it’s a lot of ifs and buts but in my own opinion I see 2010 as the make or break for this cycle of players. This group of players has been together for 3+ seasons now and there can be no more excuses or wait and see approaches beyond 2010. For that reason I’d gamble short term payroll on the likes of Webb and see where it takes us. If it all fails, then we can knock down the house and build around Dan Haren and Upton for 2011.
Oh and have I mentioned I miss you guys :(
Time for another drink then?
http://www.wimbles.wordpress.com
Been working
Mostly, I’ve been working in London 9-6 so it means I need to be up at 7 to commute in every day (hence why I can’t stay up late to post on GDT)
It’s also contributed towards me having to stop doing the fancast which has been annoying :(
Still read stuff on here every day though :)
Time for another drink then?
http://www.wimbles.wordpress.com
i’m with you. the best case scenario with resigning Webby is way better than any other best case scenario in how we could use that cash. risky? yes. but this is a team that ought to be willing to take high risk/high reward gambles at this point.
"Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too. " ~Greg, age 8
"as the team goes through the last few wees of the year"
Hmm… typo? Or deliberate invitation for bad puns to come forth?
You decide.
Bad ey on this eyboar
You might have spotte, if you’re a regular reaer, the same thing will occasionally have happene with the "" ey. Some people rop their H’s, I rop my "" and ""’s.
"Win, or die" -- Marquise de Merteuil
by Jim McLennan on Sep 24, 2009 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions
well considering
the current economic climes, I think Brandon gets his shot here. It’s not as if he hasn’t earned his rights and its one of those damned if you do, damned if you don’t scenarios. My guess is the surgery goes well, he shows frequent flashes of his old self and coupled with Haren we make a strong showing in the first half next year. I gotta believe that the team places an enormous amount of focus next year on getting their D down in a back to basics boot camp. I can understand some of the issues, with so many new faces in the lineup due to injury and such, but the kicking around of the baseball and the lack of overall savvy was daunting to witness.
I used to be disgusted, now I try to be amused....
It all rides on the ability of Brandon
to throw the strong sinker again with a surgically invaded arm. Without his sinker, with it’s unusual motion which apparently puts considerable strain on his arm, he’s just another 86 mph right hander. Right now, it’s a throw of the dice whether he could even return to form, let alone sustain that form through the duration of a new contract.
....?
This is the second time you’ve made that claim. Why, yes, if you take away Webby’s 94mph fastball, I suppose he DOES become an 86mph righty. And if you take away my right arm, I’m a cripple. Your point?
Posting 65 comments/day since June '07.
welllllllll
he’s still working on that premise that it’s worse than they’re telling us, although “they” (the team – Webb, the team physician and the PR mouthpiece) have all stated that they were relieved that the procedure appeares to be a simple one, namely a cleanup of the joint versus something more invasive. Perhaps he’s justified since they dragged their collective feet over it all year and aren’t elaborating because both parties may have a vested interest otherwise…..
I don’t believe that, but then again, I’ve got about 10 teeth still under my pillow…waiting, waiting patiently
I used to be disgusted, now I try to be amused....
I think piratedan7
is on the right track here. I’m not saying that at his best, BR has a 96 mph fastball. He has a sinker with a counterintuitive motion that makes it exceptionally difficult to square up and hit in the air. The problem is, his arm has been injured, and an invasive procedure was used to correct damage. Once operated on, there is no guarantee (and there was no guarantee that it would have gotten better without an operation, either) that the muscles and tendons will be able to do what they once did prior to the injury. The onerous is on Brandon Webb to prove that he can return to form, and do so for a sustained period of time.
by NASCARbernet on Sep 25, 2009 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Haren in the First Half - Webb in the Second Half
Optimism First:
What’s wrong with the aces splitting the season? Haren can carry the staff in the first half, as per usual, while Webby continues to pitch and gain strength. Then as Haren begins his second half swoon, Webb can carry the staff.
Scherzer is third, a legitimate vet (DD) is fourth, the Not Ready for Prime Time quintet (quartet/sextet) fills in as the fifth.
One or two vets in the pen.
CoJack makes it back and Byrnes is gone or CoJack cannot recover and Byrnes stays. Parra is the fourth/third outfielder.
Augie is gone. Roberts and Ryal split time at second and utility. Allen stays at first.
Montero and Snyderman behind the dish.
Still need a PH or two, preferably at one Clubhouse Presence who can still perform like a Proven Vet.
In 2010, the ‘core’ proves they are THE GUYS and we all hail the genies of JB & AJ
Pessimistic (Realistic?) View:
Webb & CoJack never make it to full strength in 2010, but both are on the roster/DL (read payroll). DD doesn’t resign, but we get Carl Pavano (ouch).
And the Not Ready for Prime Time Group reprises their 2009 season.
The inning of futility for the pen moves from the 8th to the 7th, rendering no lead safe and demoralizing the offense to greater depths.
Byrnes sets a new record for infield pop-ups.
Neither Roberts, Ryal or the combination is capable of being an everyday player.
Allen and Whitesell shuttle between Reno & Phoenix.
And, 2010 is just another under performing year (blamed on injuries and other freak occurrences) and the ‘core’ is banished forever. JB tries again with the entire saga repeating in 2013 – 2015 (with a different manager in 2014). After which we will be looking for a new GM and calling for a new owner.
Team age - 2010
IF the DBacks don’t bring back RTacy ($1M buyout) or Ojeda and don’t buy out Byrnes and just stick with everyone else from this year, they will only have 3 position players over 28 YO next year – Byrnes, SNyder & ROberts and still have 3 players under 25 – Upton, Parra & Allen. As a group, I would bet anything they will be much better next year than this year especially since it is likely that Byrnes can’t possibly be this bad again next year.
Pitching is a little older (but then pitchers mature a little later) but if DD & Schoenweiss aren’t back and Webb is, they would only have 2 pitchers over 30 – Webb & Qualls and 9 pitchers under 28 – Scherzer, Petit, BUckner, Gutierrez, Vasquez, Zavada, Mulvey, Schlereth, Augenstein. and that doesn’t even include Jarrod PArker although he’s probably looking at more like a 2011 debut given his injury.
The DBacks are a VERY young team. I might be the only one but I really think they aren’t that far away from being competitive, maybe even good, next year.
Better start thinking ahead...
If Byrnes is actually released you’ll have to come up with someone else to bash on a regular basis. I’d suggest Young as he had a year just as bad if not worse but your caption “So Young” instead of the more appropriate “So F’ing Awful” leads me to believe that won’t happen.
you're right
how in the hell will we replace all those pop-ups? I mean CY did his best to move into that niche in the lineup. It probably means that we’ll have to sign some one like Greg Zaun or Jeff Keppinger to fill that spot. ;-)
I used to be disgusted, now I try to be amused....
I was going to go with J-Up for "So young"
But, Chris Young is…well, he’ll always be “Young” – unless he changes his name when he goes into the Overpaid Player Protection Program [founder: Barry Zito]. Just so you know, this is what I was referencing – and, no, I didn’t expect anyone to get it. :-) Given that, "So F’ing Awful" , while technically more accurate, would have destroyed the reference… :-)
"Win, or die" -- Marquise de Merteuil
by Jim McLennan on Sep 24, 2009 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Website
doesn’t want you linking to their picture. So, here it is.
Posting 65 comments/day since June '07.
Or when you get the error, just put your cursor in the address bar
Then hit enter. You’re no longer accessing it from here and it loads fine (in Firefox, anyway – if you’re using IE, you’re on your own…)
"Win, or die" -- Marquise de Merteuil
by Jim McLennan on Sep 24, 2009 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Also, just for the record?
I’d suggest Young as he had a year just as bad if not worse
Eric Byrnes 2009 OPS+: 58
Chris Young 2009 OPS+: 78
Not even close.
Posting 65 comments/day since June '07.
yeah Skins
but with how many AB’s? In this case, is it “Quality over Quantity” or am I not even allowed to use such a phrase to determine which player was the most putrid?
I used to be disgusted, now I try to be amused....
Exactly...
Anyone that’s ever played knows it’s hard to get into a rhythm when you’re only playing every third or fourth game. Had Hinch given EB a fraction of the undeserved, unconditional love he gave Young it might be a lot closer. But I guess we’ll never know.
Besides, you know....
the fact that CY still has upside? And Eric Byrnes had his career years w/ the Dbacks in 2006 and 2007?
I’m trying to figure out whether you really, really like Byrnes, or just really, really dislike Chris Young.
Posting 65 comments/day since June '07.
I'm going
with the latter, since all 4 of your 4 comments have been critical of CY.
Posting 65 comments/day since June '07.
well i'm not sure if that shot was directed at me
but I’m not argueing with you on who has the most upside, it’s CY hands down. I really hope that he hits his stride next year ( since he’s under contract and we all know how talented a player he had shown himself to be) and we’re seeing glimmers of a return to his previous breakout form in the last week or so. I was simply wondering wether it was worth argueing over which one had the worst 2009 season, it’s like saying I’d ratrher be shot by firing squad versus being hanged on a public scaffold, neither is what you would call an optimum choice.
As for EB, I would have gladly seen the team trade him for a bag of balls and some old oak bats (in a bid to appease Grace) and simply eat his contract and give someone else a chance. It appears that at this time, the club may feel the same way. I will give EB kudos for his effort as he always tried hard but always left it on the feild. Unfortunately what he left in the batters box was another matter entirely, perhaps that was his downfall as well, he wrecked himself by how he played and his health, affecting his effectiveness.
As to CY, has he dogged it sometimes, yes, is it epidemic, no. Any time a young guy has a year like this you hope he can put it behind him. Since he’s mostly human (not a pastiche of bionic parts like EB) I think some of his struggles carried out onto the field that could serve as an explanation of any issues I have with his performance or lack thereof.
I used to be disgusted, now I try to be amused....
No,
they were definitely directed at VladHammer, who has literally criticized Chris Young in every one of his 4 Snakepit comments.
Posting 65 comments/day since June '07.
Kudos to you, DBS...
…for doing your research. True about the 4 posts – but you’ll probably also see they were in response to what I see as consistent whining/b*tching/moaning about EB (including his TV show – relevant) when others have been playing just as bad.
And no, not a huge EB fan though I do appreciate, as piratedan said, his effort. And while not a fan of Young I hardly consider him Public Enemy #1. I too hope he can bounce back next year. I also hope Byrnes doesn’t end up somewhere else and have a good year. Then we’d have to endure all sorts of “why’d we let him go?!” comments – sort of like when Quentin left town…after hitting an impressive, what was it, .220? while here.
Fair enough.
I like Byrnes, I just don’t like the fact that Moorad extended him for eleventy billion dollars.
I’m sure that wherever he ends up, he’ll do better than he has here the last couple seasons, because he’ll be given a fresh start. It’s just too bad that his time with the Dbacks had to end up like this. It was a great, buy-low signing by Josh Byrnes to begin with. It was just a stupid, “please-the-crowd” extension by Moorad that was an extreme overreaction to the end of the Gonzo era.
Posting 65 comments/day since June '07.
Just as an aside
Byrnes played consistently – 46 of the first 51 games last season – and posted a line over those 200 PAs of .219/.285/.388, That’s pretty close to the .213/.261/.362 he has given us this season in more sporadic games.
Perhaps even more damningly, since signing his contract extension on August 7, 2007, he has had 608 at-bats with a line of .220/.284/.367, again pretty close to his production this year. In the 610 at-bats before signing the contract, Byrnes hit .287/.337/.474 – 160 OPS points higher.
"Win, or die" -- Marquise de Merteuil
by Jim McLennan on Sep 24, 2009 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions
the team photo
is missing some players – with everyone who’s been up and down with the club this year, all of the seats behind the team should have been filled.
"Have a take and do not suck or you will get run." - Jim Rome
I'm back from my failed 30 day expedition in Saskatchewan, Canada in search of the Sasquatch.
Anyway, I’ve been completely unable to watch any baseball or use the internet. Someone care to catch me up on the dbacks roster moves in the last month?
"When fascism comes to this country, it will be wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross" - Upton Sinclair
by C. Wesley Baier on Sep 24, 2009 9:31 PM EDT reply actions
He's back!!
Posting 65 comments/day since June '07.
by DbacksSkins on Sep 24, 2009 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions
we called up most of Reno
and some of Mobile. In exchange, we shipped some people to Minny, some to LaLa land and saw a promising start (albeit frustrating) from Mulvey, no return from the dodgers for Garland. The Pena trade looks hopeful in Allen’s performance and everything else is just a matter of different jersey numbers still kicking around the baseball. This just in from the hinterlands, breaking news, that Mark Reynolds fella, he’s pretty good. Back to you guys in the booth.
I used to be disgusted, now I try to be amused....
What?
I didn’t give you $14.37 worth of camping supplies just to have you come back and say you couldn’t find Sasquatch! C’mon, man!
"I can't accept and won't concede that this is who we are..."
I heard
the truth is he spent the entire time hopped up on schnapps, benzedrine, and those little chocolate covered peanuts.
Posting 65 comments/day since June '07.
by DbacksSkins on Sep 25, 2009 12:45 AM EDT up reply actions
And?
Are you saying you’ve got a better way to track down Sasquatch?
"I can't accept and won't concede that this is who we are..."
Beef Jerky seems to work well
Though the reaction is somewhat variable…
"Win, or die" -- Marquise de Merteuil
by Jim McLennan on Sep 25, 2009 2:06 AM EDT up reply actions
Actually..
It was Gin, Quaaludes, and trailmix.
"When fascism comes to this country, it will be wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross" - Upton Sinclair
by C. Wesley Baier on Sep 25, 2009 1:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Look
If you’re not going to take the Sasquatch hunt seriously, I believe I’m well within my rights to ask for the return of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles sleeping bag I let you borrow.
"I can't accept and won't concede that this is who we are..."
Was just looking a little more closely at the team pic &. . . .. .
at least 4 of the players aren’t even looking at the camera including one guy who is looking up at the sky. The guy 3rd from right in the front row has his hand in front of his face. It’s like a Little League photo
Is this the official team photo? I’m guessing not but if so, it’s pretty bad actually.
How is this
any different from any other group photo?
Posting 65 comments/day since June '07.
by DbacksSkins on Sep 25, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow
You’re right. The one in the back looking away from the picture looks like Burns.
by NASCARbernet on Sep 25, 2009 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Nah
I think it was just a picture taken during the taking of the picture. It’s quite blurry too.
"Win, or die" -- Marquise de Merteuil
by Jim McLennan on Sep 25, 2009 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions
last night
with no D’Backs game, figured it would be a good break from pulling my hair out and watched the 2002 A’s/Royals game on ESPN Classic, only to run into A.J. Hinch catching for the Royals – doh!
by the way, props to Hacks for sponsoring Hinch’s page on BaseballReference.com.
"Have a take and do not suck or you will get run." - Jim Rome
is there any word yet
on the status of the Dodgers trade with Garland? Do we have Abreu, is there any additional cash coming back or is this a case where the FO wasn’t dilligent enough when picking through the bins?
I used to be disgusted, now I try to be amused....
we probably
got a rubber check and a used puck bag.
"Have a take and do not suck or you will get run." - Jim Rome
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
Baseball Nation Recent Stories
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- Josh Hamilton on public relapse: ‘It was just wrong. That’s all it comes down to.’
- Photo: The Marlins’ ridiculous-looking home run sculpture is almost complete
- Yankees GM Brian Cashman lures alleged stalker into police dragnet
- Report: Josh Hamilton had a relapse with alcohol
- Happy Birthday Boy! Wes Ferrell, the best-hitting pitcher of all-time, would be 104
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
