Lunchtime Links

Some stuff for you to read today:

-Nick Piecoro has another Minor League notebook on his blog, this one features Bobby Borchering , Chris Owings, and Wade Miley among others.

-Also from Nick, a look at what could have been Brandon Webb's final time pitching for the Diamondbacks.

-The Arizona Fall League starts tomorrow. I'll try to keep you updated on what the former Silver Hawks are doing.

-Finally, some changes at the top with the Arizona Diamondbacks as Peter Woodfork and Tom Allison have been relieved of their duties. Despite not getting the GM job, Jerry Dipoto has decided to stay with Arizona, which most people say is a huge benefit to the Diamondbacks. Look for Dipoto to have a shot at a GM job in the near future.

More on the Instructs

Nick Piecoro is flat out killing it on his blog lately. You want information on just about every Silver Hawks player that is in the desert right now? His blog is the place to go: http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/NickPiecoro/Page0

He has thoughts on Keon Broxton, David Nick, Chris Owings, Bobby Borchering, and Tyler Skaggs from the 2010 club, not to mention former Silver Hawks Jarrod Parker and Brandon Webb.

Rumors, Rumors, Rumors

One of my favorite offseason websites is MLBTradeRumors.com, because it gives a lot of information in a concise manner (with links to take you to the full stories). Over the last 24 hours, they've had a lot of Diamondbacks talk. The easiest way is to just sort by team, so if you go to this link, you can read all about Mark Reynolds trade rumors, Adam LaRoche strikeout problems, and Brandon Webb throwing only 81 mph in instructs.

Former Hawks with Arizona (Updated)

From time to time, I'll need to switch something up on the blog from the usual posts, and I'll put up information on former Silver Hawks at the various levels throughout the Diamondbacks system. Today, we start with former Hawks playing with the big league club (includes only players that are currently with the club...as of last night's games):

Miguel Montero: 6-for-12, but on the disabled list currently with a right knee strain.

Gerardo Parra: .265, 0 HR, 7 RBI

Mark Reynolds: .242, 9 HR, 24 RBI

Justin Upton: .218, 5 HR, 15 RBI

Daniel Stange: 0-0, 9.00 ERA in two games.

Cesar Valdez: 1-0, 1.80 ERA. Got the win in his only start so far this season (his MLB debut).

Esmerling Vasquez: 0-0, 3.12 ERA in six games. I forgot him on the first post, so thanks to Pete for the comment below to remind me about him.

As best I can tell, those are the only former Silver Hawks with Arizona as of today. Let me know if I missed anyone (other than Brandon Webb, who is on the DL and hasn't pitched at all this season).

News from the Desert -- Monday, March 8th

Hope everyone had a good weekend. Let's catch up on some stories involving the Diamondbacks from this past weekend.

First, the Brandon Webb saga continues. On Friday, it was news that he might start the season on the DL. Then yesterday, he played catch and felt fine afterwards. This could get interesting.

Next, Mark Reynolds wants a new contract. But predictably, the contract talks are now a distraction.

Again, Mark Haley should be in Arizona now. He'll be blogging for the South Bend Tribune, and you can read it here.

I'll be back after lunch with a picture of the field (no snow!?!?!?!), and why I am a good guy, yet will be the first to go "in any apocalyptic scenario." Come back to find out what that means.

Stagnant

Dictionary.com defines stagnant as:

stag·nant   /ˈstægnənt/ –adjective
1.not flowing or running, as water, air, etc.
2.stale or foul from standing, as a pool of water.
3.characterized by lack of development, advancement, or progressive movement: a stagnant economy.
4.inactive, sluggish, or dull.

I'm assuming Brandon Webb was referring to definition number 3 when he said today that he felt stagnant after his bullpen session.

Hmmm...probably not a good thing for the Diamondbacks.

PITCHERS AND CATCHERS REPORT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There really aren't enough exclamation points in the world to explain how excited I am about pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training and workouts beginning today.

Rather than let us enjoy it, Nick Piecoro over at the AZ Republic is starting a debate that will most likely linger through most of Spring Training: Dan Haren or Brandon Webb on Opening Day.

He lays out the two sides of debate at the link above.

My vote: Dan Haren.

I'm all for honoring the veteran who has been with you for years, but Haren is the better pitcher right now.

Brandon Webb Throws Off Mound

I still don't have my computer back yet, so I'm posting this using only my incredible super human powers.

Actually, I'm using a shared computer at work, while still praying that Windows will be saved on my laptop, and all my hard work for the last two years won't be completely lost. It is in the hands of the professionals now, so hopefully all will be saved.

Anyhow, the reason for the post is because this story was too important to pass up: Former Silver Hawks pitcher Brandon Webb threw off of a mound for the first time the other day. I know that doesn't sound like a big deal, but when you are talking about a guy who finished either first or second in the Cy Young voting for three straight years (06-08), then anything he does in his recovery from surgery is very important to the Diamondbacks.

Webb Staying with Diamondbacks

ESPN.com (and other sources now) are reporting that Brandon Webb's option has been picked up by the Arizona Diamondbacks for the 2010 season. I think this is a good move for Arizona, given that it would have cost them $2 million to decline the option.

Arizona ultimately had 3 options here:

1) Pick up his option and pay him 8.5 million for next season.
2) Decline the option, pay him 2 million, and let him go pitch for someone else.
3) Try to restructure the deal and reach a different agreement.

They chose the first option. The second option doesn't make a whole lot of sense, so it's easy to see why they declined that one. The third option probably would have been preferred by the Diamondbacks, but Webb (or his agent) is smart. After having been hurt for virtually the entire 2009 season, a restructured deal would mean a paycut. They basically refused to restructure, saying paying me my 8.5 million option, or let me try free agency with the 2 million buyout.

Arizona chose wisely.

Drama in the Desert

Have you all been paying attention to what's going on in Arizona between the Diamondbacks and former South Bend pitcher Brandon Webb? It's a mess.

The backstory:

-Brandon Webb was the team ace, winning the Cy Young Award in 2006.
-The Diamondbacks loved Brandon Webb. They paid him a decent salary to keep him.
-Brandon Webb got hurt on Opening Day 2009. He hasn't pitched since.

Now, the contract stuff:
-Webb's contract has an 8.5 million dollar option for 2010. If he's healthy, this is a bargain for the Diamondbacks (at least, in my opinion it is).
-The Diamondbacks don't want to pay him 8.5 million dollars, given that they paid him all this season when he was hurt.
-If the Diamondbacks don't pick up his option, they have to pay Webb a 2 million dollar buyout, and he can test the free agent market.

Because they don't want to pay him 8.5 million, and they also don't want to pay him 2 million to go be a free agent, the Diamondbacks are trying to renegotiate the contract. Webb wants nothing to do with that.

Webb also thinks he can get at least 8.5 million on the open market, comparing himself to John Smoltz who just got over 5 million this year.