The body (season) isn't dead yet, but that hasn't stopped the rumors from starting.
The big question -- and the starting point for any offseason moves -- is the budget for the 2011 payroll. Kevin Towers recently said that he's been given the number, but won't share it, but described his checkbook as bigger than he ever had in San Diego.
Based on current rumors and the Padres' history, that could be a bit of an exaggeration.
In 2008, the San Diego payroll ballooned to $73 million before being slashed to $43 million in 2009. Towers was fired after the 2009 season. From 2000 to 2009, the Padre's average payroll was $50.3 million, according to Cot's Baseball Contracts.
Here's the latest on what Towers will have to work with to assemble the 2011 Diamondbacks roster:
Arizona Diamondbacks Rumors: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com
Tom Krasovic of AOL FanHouse hears that Arizona’s payroll will sit between $50-60MM next year. The Diamondbacks started the season with a $75MM payroll, but shed considerable salary with a flurry of midseason trades. They now have just shy of $20MM committed to the 2011 team (not including potential free agents or arbitration-eligible players).
A payroll of $50-$60 million would put the Diamondback in the bottom tier of team 2010 salaries, somewhere around 26 or 28 on the list.
As with all rumors, we will have to wait and see how this plays out. Towers certainly could be leaking an artificially low number to give him more leverage when it comes time to negotiate with free agents and other GMs.
Drew, Reynolds and Johnson Rumors via MLB Trade Rumors.com
- Krasovic hears that the D'Backs considered offering Mark Reynolds to the A's forKevin Kouzmanoff and Vin Mazzaro before Kevin Towers took over as the team's GM.
- The club also talked to the Tigers about exchanging Rick Porcello for Stephen Drew earlier in the summer, but Detroit wasn't interested.
- Krasovic wouldn't be surprised to see the Diamondbacks sell high on Kelly Johnson, who is heading into his final season of arbitration.
It's hard to imagine the Diamondbacks dumping all three of their infielders but with Towers on the record talking about his desire for contact hitters, Reynolds certainly could be moved and the A's might a place that makes sense.
Potential Destinations For Mark Reynolds: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com
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