Snake Bytes, 1/9: Dangerous when wet

Team news

[dbacks.com] D-backs announce Hermosillo partnership - The D-backs introduced their newest employees: former D-backs first baseman and native son Erubiel Durazo, Latin America coordinator Francisco Cartaya and Mexico-based scout Rodrigo "Chapo" Aguirre. Equally as important, they formally signed a partnership with the Hermosillo Naranjeros and made it clear that the team plans to redouble its efforts in finding talent south of the border. Said Derrick Hall. "We want to make sure we have Diamondbacks playing for the Naranjeros and one day, we have Sonorans playing for the Diamondbacks."

[FOX Sports] The Arizona Diamondbacks' 5 New Year's resolutions for 2016 - We're only a week into 2016, but baseball fans are eagerly awaiting the beginning of spring training and the onset of another season. As we near closer to pitchers and catchers reporting, let's take a look at the Diamondbacks' resolutions for the New Year.

[TKB] Opinion Diamondbacks Need to Go All-In Right Now - It wasn’t the money that General Manager Dave Stewart referenced when discussing the possibility of Kendrick, but a reluctance to give up another draft pick to sign a free agent. For most teams, this is a legitimate concern. For the Diamondbacks, it sounds like a negotiating ploy.

[USA Today[ Organizational report: Zack Greinke a game-changer for Diamondbacks - Ken Kendrick felt the time was right for the Arizona Diamondbacks to make a major move. And, boy, was it a big one. When the Diamondbacks signed right-hander Zack Greinke in free agency Dec. 8, it was not only a seismic move for a franchise that hasn’t had a winning season since capturing the National League West in 2011 but also one that rocked the sport. The Diamondbacks lured Greinke with a six-year, $206.5 million contract. By comparison, Kendrick bought the Diamondbacks for $238 million in 2004.

[Toronto Sun] Top 100 most influential Canadians in baseball in 2015 - "21. Jeffrey Royer, general partner, Arizona Diamondbacks (21 last year). His Diamondbacks were the surprise winners for Greinke, who signed a six-year $206.5 million deal. The Toronto resident committed $160 million US over a 10-year span to own roughly 30% of the Diamondbacks," It's often easy to forget that Ken Kendrick is not the sole proprietor of the team here. There are some loonies invested in the team as well...

[AZ Central] Arizona Diamondbacks trade history: Notable deals - The Arizona Diamondbacks have never been shy about pulling the trigger on trades. Many have worked out, many have not. Take a look back at some of the notable trades in the history of the franchise.

And, elsewhere...

[ESPN] Atlanta Braves, Kelly Johnson agree to 1-year, $2 million deal - "The Braves and veteran utility player Kelly Johnson have agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract, according to multiple reports." Well, cross that possibility off the list...

[New York Post] MLB: Jeter’s ex-trainer tied to ‘HGH pharmacist,’ but no wrongdoing - MLB has been aware of the connection between controversial pharmacist Charles Sly and Derek Jeter’s former trainer, Jason Riley, according to an industry source. However, MLB has not uncovered evidence Riley has committed any wrongdoing. The New York Times reported Tuesday of a business partnership between Sly, who was secretly recorded accusing many prominent athletes (but not Jeter) of illegal performance-enhancing drug usage, and Riley, who received significant credit for Jeter’s resurgence in 2009.

[The Economist] Cuban baseball crisis - A bigger problem is the poor quality of the play. Last year 11 Industriales players left for the United States; Matanzas lost ten. Only the weaker players remain, and they are demoralised: runners seem content to jog around the basepaths, and fielders let the ball skip past them on difficult plays. In recognition of the depleted rosters, the Cuban league now disbands half of its teams at mid-season and shares their players among the eight clubs that are doing best.