Diamondbacks

Gerardo Parra (Diamondbacks)

2/22/12 5:49 am

Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson suggested that, despite being displaced by Jason Kubel in left field, Gerardo Parra could work his way into the lineup as a center fielder.

“I’d like to see [Parra] work on center field and be able to play all the positions,” Gibson said. “He’s very good on each corner. He isn’t as good as we think he can be in center field.” The defensive-minded Parra showed some breakout potential at the plate in 2011, compiling a respectable .292/.357/.427 batting line with 15 steals. Incumbent center fielder Chris Young batted only .222 against right-handers and .236 overall, meaning Parra could challenge Young for at-bats–particularly against righties–if Parra can demonstrate proficiency in center.

Source: azcentral.com

Tagged as: Diamondbacks, Gerardo Parra, news

Chris Young (Diamondbacks)

2/20/12 11:11 pm

Chris Young said Monday that he is over wrist and thumb injuries which impacted his production during the second half last season.

Young batted .262 with 16 homers and an .817 OPS before the All-Star break last season, but hit just .193 with four homers and a .641 OPS during the second half. “The time off definitely helped my body heal and kind of be ready for this year,” said Young. “By all means, I?m 100 percent right now.” The 28-year-old is unlikely to hit for a high batting average, but his power-speed combo should make him one of the top 30 outfielders off the board in mixed leagues.

Source: azcentral.com

Tagged as: Chris Young, Diamondbacks, news

Takashi Saito (Diamondbacks)

2/20/12 10:42 pm

Diamondbacks’ general manager Kevin Towers said Monday that they didn’t have Takashi Saito take a physical before signing him because they thought he would fail.

“We knew he probably would have failed his physical based on everything that we?ve heard over the last four or five years,” said Towers. “…We thought that the skill-set and what he could bring to the club far outweighed the risk.” Saito, who turned 42 earlier this month, posted a 2.03 ERA and 23/9 K/BB ratio over 28 2/3 innings with the Brewers last season. The D-Backs have put him on a different schedule than the rest of the pitchers in camp in an effort to keep him healthy going into 2012.

Source: azcentral.com

Tagged as: Diamondbacks, news, Takashi Saito

Stephen Drew (Diamondbacks)

2/20/12 2:49 pm

Stephen Drew took grounders Monday for the first time since fracturing his ankle last July.

Drew told reporters earlier this month that he is “optimistic” about getting back to 100 percent health by Opening Day. And after feeling no pain or discomfort during Monday’s workout, he would seem to be on the right track. The 28-year-old shortstop could be a sleeper in fantasy drafts if he enters 2012 with good health.

Source: twitter.com

Tagged as: Diamondbacks, news, Stephen Drew

Miguel Montero (Diamondbacks)

2/17/12 10:58 pm

Buster Olney of ESPN.com reports that the Diamondbacks will be looking for catching depth during spring training.

Miguel Montero is firmly entrenched as the starting catcher, but they could seek some insurance for 40-year-old backup Henry Blanco. Konrad Schmidt and Craig Tatum are the other catchers on Arizona’s 40-man roster.

Source: twitter.com

Tagged as: Diamondbacks, Miguel Montero, news

Stephen Drew (Diamondbacks)

2/12/12 9:04 am

Stephen Drew (ankle) remains “optimistic” about being ready by Opening Day.

“I’m optimistic,” Drew said. “Hopefully I will start Opening Day, but I don’t know. I’m not going to sit here and lie to your face and be like, ‘I’ll be ready for Opening Day.’ I can’t tell you that right now. It takes time. How much time? I don’t know.” Drew underwent surgery in October to repair a fracture right ankle and since July has been waking up at 5:30 AM every morning for physical therapy. He admits to having weeks where he didn’t make much progress, but he feels he turned a corner three weeks ago and has been able to jog lately with no issues. Willie Bloomquist and John McDonald will handle shortstop if Drew isn’t ready in time.

Source: azcentral.com

Tagged as: Diamondbacks, news, Stephen Drew

Craig Breslow (Diamondbacks)

2/8/12 7:39 pm

The Diamondbacks and LHP Craig Breslow avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.795 million contract.

Breslow requested a $2.1 million salary and was offered $1.5 million from the Snakes when arbitration figures were exchanged in mid-January. It took around three weeks for the two sides to find a middle ground.

Source: twitter.com

Tagged as: Craig Breslow, Diamondbacks, news

Melvin Mora (Diamondbacks)

2/7/12 12:48 pm

Veteran infielder Melvin Mora turned down a minor league contract offer from the Rangers.

Mora is hoping instead to sign with a team on the East Coast, near his home in Baltimore. The 40-year-old free agent batted just .228/.244/.276 in 135 plate appearances last season for the D’Backs and has struggled to attract interest from the kind of clubs he would like to sign with. Texas was at least offering a paycheck.

Source: dallasnews.com

Tagged as: Diamondbacks, Melvin Mora, news

Stephen Drew (Diamondbacks)

2/4/12 12:06 am

Diamondbacks’ general manager Kevin Towers said during a web chat Thursday that “we still think there’s a chance” Stephen Drew (ankle) will be ready for Opening Day.

“With Stephen, he’s progressing every week,” wrote Towers. “He’s swinging the bat now and doing baseball-specific agility drills, which is good. We still think there’s a chance that he could be ready by Opening Day. Until we start playing games and see where he’s at, so far the drills are in a controlled environment and game speed can be different. We’ll have a better idea then.” It’s important to note that Drew is headed into what is essentially his contract year (his $10 million option for 2013 includes a $1.35 buyout), so he’ll likely take every precaution before playing in games. The D-Backs re-signed Willie Bloomquist and John McDonald over the winter, so they have some insurance in the event that he begins the season on the disabled list. Fantasy owners should monitor this situation closely in the coming weeks.

Source: mlb.com

Tagged as: Diamondbacks, news, Stephen Drew

Miguel Montero (Diamondbacks)

1/31/12 1:38 pm

Miguel Montero has informed the Diamondbacks that he will cut off extension talks on March 20.

The D’Backs failed to reach a long-term deal with Montero before his arbitration hearing Tuesday, instead agreeing to a one-year, $5.9 million contract for 2012. The 28-year-old catcher, who hit .282/.351/.469 with 18 home runs and 86 RBI last year for Arizona, will be eligible for free agency in the fall if nothing gets done.

Source: twitter.com

Tagged as: Diamondbacks, Miguel Montero, news

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