Notes: Byrnes brings energy to desert
02/25/2006
TUCSON, Ariz. -- You only get one chance to make a first impression -- unless you're Eric Byrnes, who made the D-Backs his fourth team in six months when he signed with the club in December.
After sweeping through Colorado and Baltimore late in 2005 following 5 1/2 seasons with the A's, Byrnes wasted no time establishing his identity with the D-Backs.
"He made an impression when he came through the door the first time," said manager Bob Melvin, describing Byrnes as a man with "whirlwinds swirling around him" wherever he goes. "He's just an energy guy, and I think that's something we were lacking a little bit last year."
Though his strengths as a player were his most appealing qualities -- the D-Backs hope to see him get back to his '04 form, when he hit .283 for the A's as the everyday left fielder -- his qualities in the clubhouse are nearly as important to Melvin and general manager Josh Byrnes.
"We're going to need a little bit of a presence against left-handed pitching," the GM said. "He's very good against left-handed pitching. He has a lot of energy, he can impact the game on the bases, he can play center. We think a lot of his strengths were areas that were deficiencies for us. We think he fits perfectly."
Melvin predicts both Byrnes and Orlando Hudson -- a career Blue Jay until his December trade to the D-Backs -- will provide an energy boost capable of sparking the team to a higher level of play.
"It's infectious. It's contagious. You can see that he loves to play," said Melvin of Byrnes' dynamic approach to the game. "Between he and Hudson, you'll see a little more enthusiasm around here, and a little more chatter and so forth."
Good chemistry is often dismissed as an inevitable byproduct of winning, but Byrnes' experience tells him otherwise.
"The time I spent with Oakland, we probably won more games than we should have, just because it was a close-knit group," Byrnes explained. "It seems like a bunch of neat guys in [the D-Backs clubhouse]. I think that's vital."
Sunday catch: Saturday was a "no-throw" day for D-Backs pitchers, as the team went through an abbreviated workout before heading north to Phoenix for a Fan Fest. The break gives Brandon Medders another day before testing his arm again with a "catch" Sunday.
Medders has had some muscle discomfort below his scapula and has yet to throw a bullpen session this spring.
"If [Sunday] doesn't go very well, then our concerns would be a little more extensive," said Melvin. "We'd probably look to have Dr. Lee take a look at him if [Sunday] doesn't go very well.
"If he feels good [Sunday], we'll probably give him a day off and then potentially have him throw BP live to hitters the next day," Melvin added. "[Sunday] will have a lot to do with it."
Desert showdown: Melvin anticipates a couple of interesting competitions for roster spots and roles with the club as the spring progresses and is happy to have a pair of strong contenders for the fifth spot in the rotation, behind Brandon Webb, Russ Ortiz, Miguel Batista and Orlando Hernandez.
"There were times [last season] when for a month and a half or so [Brad Halsey] was probably our best pitcher, and the same thing with Claudio [Vargas], Melvin said. "If we have two guys like that fighting for a fifth spot, we feel like we're deep in our rotation."
Melvin also foresees a three-way battle for a utility role among a pair of promising younger players and a 14-year veteran.
"Alex Cintron, Andy Green, and Damion Easley, we're probably looking at two of those guys staying," Melvin said.
Cintron has proved valuable both as a regular starter of the "Baby 'Backs" era and as a productive bench player and utility infielder last season, while Green and the former All-Star Easley both offer the potential to play outfield as well as infield positions.
Source: http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/
TUCSON, Ariz. -- You only get one chance to make a first impression -- unless you're Eric Byrnes, who made the D-Backs his fourth team in six months when he signed with the club in December.
After sweeping through Colorado and Baltimore late in 2005 following 5 1/2 seasons with the A's, Byrnes wasted no time establishing his identity with the D-Backs.
"He made an impression when he came through the door the first time," said manager Bob Melvin, describing Byrnes as a man with "whirlwinds swirling around him" wherever he goes. "He's just an energy guy, and I think that's something we were lacking a little bit last year."
Though his strengths as a player were his most appealing qualities -- the D-Backs hope to see him get back to his '04 form, when he hit .283 for the A's as the everyday left fielder -- his qualities in the clubhouse are nearly as important to Melvin and general manager Josh Byrnes.
"We're going to need a little bit of a presence against left-handed pitching," the GM said. "He's very good against left-handed pitching. He has a lot of energy, he can impact the game on the bases, he can play center. We think a lot of his strengths were areas that were deficiencies for us. We think he fits perfectly."
Melvin predicts both Byrnes and Orlando Hudson -- a career Blue Jay until his December trade to the D-Backs -- will provide an energy boost capable of sparking the team to a higher level of play.
"It's infectious. It's contagious. You can see that he loves to play," said Melvin of Byrnes' dynamic approach to the game. "Between he and Hudson, you'll see a little more enthusiasm around here, and a little more chatter and so forth."
Good chemistry is often dismissed as an inevitable byproduct of winning, but Byrnes' experience tells him otherwise.
"The time I spent with Oakland, we probably won more games than we should have, just because it was a close-knit group," Byrnes explained. "It seems like a bunch of neat guys in [the D-Backs clubhouse]. I think that's vital."
Sunday catch: Saturday was a "no-throw" day for D-Backs pitchers, as the team went through an abbreviated workout before heading north to Phoenix for a Fan Fest. The break gives Brandon Medders another day before testing his arm again with a "catch" Sunday.
Medders has had some muscle discomfort below his scapula and has yet to throw a bullpen session this spring.
"If [Sunday] doesn't go very well, then our concerns would be a little more extensive," said Melvin. "We'd probably look to have Dr. Lee take a look at him if [Sunday] doesn't go very well.
"If he feels good [Sunday], we'll probably give him a day off and then potentially have him throw BP live to hitters the next day," Melvin added. "[Sunday] will have a lot to do with it."
Desert showdown: Melvin anticipates a couple of interesting competitions for roster spots and roles with the club as the spring progresses and is happy to have a pair of strong contenders for the fifth spot in the rotation, behind Brandon Webb, Russ Ortiz, Miguel Batista and Orlando Hernandez.
"There were times [last season] when for a month and a half or so [Brad Halsey] was probably our best pitcher, and the same thing with Claudio [Vargas], Melvin said. "If we have two guys like that fighting for a fifth spot, we feel like we're deep in our rotation."
Melvin also foresees a three-way battle for a utility role among a pair of promising younger players and a 14-year veteran.
"Alex Cintron, Andy Green, and Damion Easley, we're probably looking at two of those guys staying," Melvin said.
Cintron has proved valuable both as a regular starter of the "Baby 'Backs" era and as a productive bench player and utility infielder last season, while Green and the former All-Star Easley both offer the potential to play outfield as well as infield positions.
Source: http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/
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