Mailbag: Is Cintron on the move?
01/16/2006
I heard rumors that Orlando Hernandez and Alex Cintron are being mentioned in trade rumors involving a starting pitcher. Is this true? If yes, who is the pitcher in return?-- Jose Y., Tucson, Ariz.
I've seen that rumor as well, Jose, and I don't know whether they would be able to pull that off or not. I will tell you that it would not surprise me if Alex were dealt soon -- probably for a left-handed specialist reliever. The Diamondbacks did sign lefty Terry Mulholland to a Minor League contract last week, but he is more of a long-man out of the bullpen rather than a lefty specialist.
With the signing of a quality second baseman, the proposed move of popular Craig Counsell to short and Chad Tracy returning to third, where does that leave Cintron? Will he be dealt for a pitcher? How could he be showcased to build his trade value?-- Ed C., Paso Robles, Calif.
As I said above, I think the club would like to deal Cintron for a left-handed specialist. As for building his trade value, I think after the amount of time he's had in the big leagues, other teams have a very good feel for what kind of player he is and at this point, there's no real way to build his trade value.
With all the talk about the starting rotation, I have yet to hear anyone mention Edgar Gonzalez. He seems to be strong every year in Tucson. Will he ever get a shot with the Diamondbacks?-- Chris W., Scottsdale, Ariz.
Chris, I actually did mention Gonzalez in a recdent winter ball update. Once again, he had a very good year in the Mexican winter league. If he wants to win a job in the big leagues, he will need to carry that performance over into Spring Training. Gonzalez struggled when he got a prolonged look in 2004, but the club does still have hopes for him. I think his chances of winning the No. 5 spot in the rotation out of Spring Training are slim, but a strong spring would certainly put him in a good position should the Diamondbacks need to call up a pitcher at some point.
With all this talk about pitching lately and of the No. 5 spot in the rotation, perhaps you can explain to me why the D-Backs seem to be devoid of any left-handed pitching?-- John L., Flagstaff, Ariz.
They do have a couple of left-handers who will be competing for the No. 5 spot in the rotation in Brad Halsey and Michael Gosling, so they are not devoid of potential lefties in the rotation. You are right if you are referring to a lefty specialist for the bullpen, but that might get rectified via trade.
Do the Diamondbacks have any interest in signing Mike Piazza?
-- Ron R., Lockport, N.Y.
Ron, I don't see a fit there. The Diamondbacks have Johnny Estrada as their starting catcher with Chris Snyder and Koyie Hill as backups not to mention Miguel Montero on the way. And the D-Backs don't have a need for a first baseman so I think Piazza will wind up somewhere else.
I thought Matt Williams was a Diamondbacks coach. I don't see him on the coach's roster. Is Matt still around?-- Steve H., Sparks. Nev.
Williams is still very much around. He's not listed on the coaches roster because he is not technically a coach, but rather a Spring Training instructor. Though he does put a uniform on occasionally when the team is at home to work with them before games. Williams will continue to do that this year as well as his other television duties.
Source: http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/
I heard rumors that Orlando Hernandez and Alex Cintron are being mentioned in trade rumors involving a starting pitcher. Is this true? If yes, who is the pitcher in return?-- Jose Y., Tucson, Ariz.
I've seen that rumor as well, Jose, and I don't know whether they would be able to pull that off or not. I will tell you that it would not surprise me if Alex were dealt soon -- probably for a left-handed specialist reliever. The Diamondbacks did sign lefty Terry Mulholland to a Minor League contract last week, but he is more of a long-man out of the bullpen rather than a lefty specialist.
With the signing of a quality second baseman, the proposed move of popular Craig Counsell to short and Chad Tracy returning to third, where does that leave Cintron? Will he be dealt for a pitcher? How could he be showcased to build his trade value?-- Ed C., Paso Robles, Calif.
As I said above, I think the club would like to deal Cintron for a left-handed specialist. As for building his trade value, I think after the amount of time he's had in the big leagues, other teams have a very good feel for what kind of player he is and at this point, there's no real way to build his trade value.
With all the talk about the starting rotation, I have yet to hear anyone mention Edgar Gonzalez. He seems to be strong every year in Tucson. Will he ever get a shot with the Diamondbacks?-- Chris W., Scottsdale, Ariz.
Chris, I actually did mention Gonzalez in a recdent winter ball update. Once again, he had a very good year in the Mexican winter league. If he wants to win a job in the big leagues, he will need to carry that performance over into Spring Training. Gonzalez struggled when he got a prolonged look in 2004, but the club does still have hopes for him. I think his chances of winning the No. 5 spot in the rotation out of Spring Training are slim, but a strong spring would certainly put him in a good position should the Diamondbacks need to call up a pitcher at some point.
With all this talk about pitching lately and of the No. 5 spot in the rotation, perhaps you can explain to me why the D-Backs seem to be devoid of any left-handed pitching?-- John L., Flagstaff, Ariz.
They do have a couple of left-handers who will be competing for the No. 5 spot in the rotation in Brad Halsey and Michael Gosling, so they are not devoid of potential lefties in the rotation. You are right if you are referring to a lefty specialist for the bullpen, but that might get rectified via trade.
Do the Diamondbacks have any interest in signing Mike Piazza?
-- Ron R., Lockport, N.Y.
Ron, I don't see a fit there. The Diamondbacks have Johnny Estrada as their starting catcher with Chris Snyder and Koyie Hill as backups not to mention Miguel Montero on the way. And the D-Backs don't have a need for a first baseman so I think Piazza will wind up somewhere else.
I thought Matt Williams was a Diamondbacks coach. I don't see him on the coach's roster. Is Matt still around?-- Steve H., Sparks. Nev.
Williams is still very much around. He's not listed on the coaches roster because he is not technically a coach, but rather a Spring Training instructor. Though he does put a uniform on occasionally when the team is at home to work with them before games. Williams will continue to do that this year as well as his other television duties.
Source: http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/
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