Post by diamondbacksgm on Jul 14, 2010 0:12:20 GMT -5
July 13th, Phoenix Arizona -
After a week in which the Diamondbacks shipped off two local favorites, the mercury is rising to levels higher than even Southwesterners are used to. It's been, well, years since a team has traded a pitcher of Dan Haren's caliber while still under contract long term, but that's exactly what the new front office in Arizona did.
On his thought process leading up to the trade, the GM explained
"We came in, looked at the team, looked at the books, and we knew that we weren't going to be able to re-sign Brandon Webb after this year. So, we felt there were three options - Trade Webb, keep him through this year and let him walk, or, if the offer was right, trade Dan. Ultimately, Tampa stepped up and made us an offer we felt was in our best interest."
That offer included a budding star in the outfield, current D-Back Justin Upton's brother B.J., a highly touted young pitcher in Wade Davis, and young flamethrower Alexander Colome.
"When you looked at our system before this deal, the only blue chip arm we had is rehabbing his new UCL. We're confident that Jarrod (Parker) will come back as strong as ever, but there are no sure things when it comes to pitchers. Davis and Colome added two top young arms."
With Upton in the outfield mix, the D-Backs quickly shipped Connor Jackson to Atlanta for minor league pitcher Randall Delgado.
"Jackson's been good for us, but with B.J. on the roster, we just didn't require his services. Let's face it - we moved our fifth outfielder for a special young arm, it was a no brainer."
Despite touting the new young talent acquired in the deals, the new GM bristled at suggestions that these moves were part of a rebuilding effort.
"Look, Haren is a loss for us and we'll miss him, but we now have an outfield with as much talent as any in the league - and it's talent with a record of production. Wade Davis is a guy we expect to lead the rotation in short order. On balance, we've not sacrificed our ability to compete in the next couple years while also upgrading our minor league talent. That's what I'm here to do."
Arizona's next move is now clear - extending the contract of Brandon Webb and keeping quiet in preparation for the 2010 draft... maybe.
"Our policy is to listen to any offer, analyze them, and pull the trigger if a deal improves this organization. If that pisses some people off, that's fine - but it doesn't piss off the boss."
After a week in which the Diamondbacks shipped off two local favorites, the mercury is rising to levels higher than even Southwesterners are used to. It's been, well, years since a team has traded a pitcher of Dan Haren's caliber while still under contract long term, but that's exactly what the new front office in Arizona did.
On his thought process leading up to the trade, the GM explained
"We came in, looked at the team, looked at the books, and we knew that we weren't going to be able to re-sign Brandon Webb after this year. So, we felt there were three options - Trade Webb, keep him through this year and let him walk, or, if the offer was right, trade Dan. Ultimately, Tampa stepped up and made us an offer we felt was in our best interest."
That offer included a budding star in the outfield, current D-Back Justin Upton's brother B.J., a highly touted young pitcher in Wade Davis, and young flamethrower Alexander Colome.
"When you looked at our system before this deal, the only blue chip arm we had is rehabbing his new UCL. We're confident that Jarrod (Parker) will come back as strong as ever, but there are no sure things when it comes to pitchers. Davis and Colome added two top young arms."
With Upton in the outfield mix, the D-Backs quickly shipped Connor Jackson to Atlanta for minor league pitcher Randall Delgado.
"Jackson's been good for us, but with B.J. on the roster, we just didn't require his services. Let's face it - we moved our fifth outfielder for a special young arm, it was a no brainer."
Despite touting the new young talent acquired in the deals, the new GM bristled at suggestions that these moves were part of a rebuilding effort.
"Look, Haren is a loss for us and we'll miss him, but we now have an outfield with as much talent as any in the league - and it's talent with a record of production. Wade Davis is a guy we expect to lead the rotation in short order. On balance, we've not sacrificed our ability to compete in the next couple years while also upgrading our minor league talent. That's what I'm here to do."
Arizona's next move is now clear - extending the contract of Brandon Webb and keeping quiet in preparation for the 2010 draft... maybe.
"Our policy is to listen to any offer, analyze them, and pull the trigger if a deal improves this organization. If that pisses some people off, that's fine - but it doesn't piss off the boss."