D-Backs improved after busy offseason
01/01/2006
PHOENIX -- As the New Year begins, the Diamondbacks are no longer a work in progress.
Most of general manager Josh Byrnes' heavy lifting has been done with the trade of Troy Glaus to the Blue Jays for Miguel Batista and Orlando Hudson, as well as the deal that sent Javier Vazquez to the White Sox for Orlando Hernandez, Luis Vizcaino and young center fielder Chris Young.
Byrnes also accomplished another big offseason goal at the Winter Meetings in Dallas when he bolstered the club's catching situation by acquiring backstop Johnny Estrada from the Braves for relievers Oscar Villarreal and Lance Cormier.
There were also the smaller moves, such as the signing of veterans Jason Grimsley and Damion Easley.
But Byrnes, who came over after serving as assistant general manager for the Red Sox, has already put his stamp on the team.
After dealing Glaus and signing Eric Byrnes as a free agent, if the season started today, Byrnes would be in center, Shawn Green would be back in right with Chad Tracy at third and Conor Jackson at first.
The domino effect of those moves should be improved defense in both the infield and outfield, with Green returning to his natural position in right field and Gold Glover Hudson taking over at second base.
Following the signing of gritty 29-year-old outfielder Byrnes, who is no relation, on Dec. 30, the D-Backs' general manager said the team is likely done with all but minor roster tinkering.
"I don't think much is going to happen in the next few days," Byrnes said. "I really don't anticipate any large changes to our roster from here on out. But you never know."
Offseason report card: Most of the first part of Byrnes' tenure as GM was spent working on a trade for Vazquez. With that out of the way, he turned his attention to fixing the logjam at the corner infield and outfield positions, which he accomplished after Christmas with the Glaus deal and the Byrnes signing. 5 -- Too early to tell.
Arrivals: C Johnny Estrada (trade), RHP Orlando Hernandez (trade), RHP Luis Vizcaino (trade), OF Chris Young (trade), Jason Grimsley (free agent), IF Damion Easley (free agent), 2B Orlando Hudson (trade), RHP Miguel Batista (trade) and OF Eric Byrnes (free agent).
Departures: RHP Oscar Villarreal, RHP Lance Cormier, RHP Javier Vazquez, RHP Tim Worrell, LHP Shawn Estes, LHP Buddy Groom, SS Royce Clayton, OF Quinton McCracken, C Kelly Stinnett and 3B Troy Glaus.
The road ahead: The D-Backs have to figure out a solution to the logjam at the corner infield and outfield positions. Finding a center fielder/leadoff hitter goes hand in hand with that. In addition with the departure of Vazquez and Estes, the D-Backs must do something to help fortify the starting rotation.
Source: http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/
PHOENIX -- As the New Year begins, the Diamondbacks are no longer a work in progress.
Most of general manager Josh Byrnes' heavy lifting has been done with the trade of Troy Glaus to the Blue Jays for Miguel Batista and Orlando Hudson, as well as the deal that sent Javier Vazquez to the White Sox for Orlando Hernandez, Luis Vizcaino and young center fielder Chris Young.
Byrnes also accomplished another big offseason goal at the Winter Meetings in Dallas when he bolstered the club's catching situation by acquiring backstop Johnny Estrada from the Braves for relievers Oscar Villarreal and Lance Cormier.
There were also the smaller moves, such as the signing of veterans Jason Grimsley and Damion Easley.
But Byrnes, who came over after serving as assistant general manager for the Red Sox, has already put his stamp on the team.
After dealing Glaus and signing Eric Byrnes as a free agent, if the season started today, Byrnes would be in center, Shawn Green would be back in right with Chad Tracy at third and Conor Jackson at first.
The domino effect of those moves should be improved defense in both the infield and outfield, with Green returning to his natural position in right field and Gold Glover Hudson taking over at second base.
Following the signing of gritty 29-year-old outfielder Byrnes, who is no relation, on Dec. 30, the D-Backs' general manager said the team is likely done with all but minor roster tinkering.
"I don't think much is going to happen in the next few days," Byrnes said. "I really don't anticipate any large changes to our roster from here on out. But you never know."
Offseason report card: Most of the first part of Byrnes' tenure as GM was spent working on a trade for Vazquez. With that out of the way, he turned his attention to fixing the logjam at the corner infield and outfield positions, which he accomplished after Christmas with the Glaus deal and the Byrnes signing. 5 -- Too early to tell.
Arrivals: C Johnny Estrada (trade), RHP Orlando Hernandez (trade), RHP Luis Vizcaino (trade), OF Chris Young (trade), Jason Grimsley (free agent), IF Damion Easley (free agent), 2B Orlando Hudson (trade), RHP Miguel Batista (trade) and OF Eric Byrnes (free agent).
Departures: RHP Oscar Villarreal, RHP Lance Cormier, RHP Javier Vazquez, RHP Tim Worrell, LHP Shawn Estes, LHP Buddy Groom, SS Royce Clayton, OF Quinton McCracken, C Kelly Stinnett and 3B Troy Glaus.
The road ahead: The D-Backs have to figure out a solution to the logjam at the corner infield and outfield positions. Finding a center fielder/leadoff hitter goes hand in hand with that. In addition with the departure of Vazquez and Estes, the D-Backs must do something to help fortify the starting rotation.
Source: http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/
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