SB Nation Arizona - D-backs Trade For Armando Galarraga And Sign Micah Owingshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46593/arizona-fave.png2011-01-24T16:01:27-07:00http://arizona.sbnation.com/rss/stream/16439282011-01-24T16:01:27-07:002011-01-24T16:01:27-07:00Armando Galarraga Still Feeling The Good Vibes From Near-Perfecto Last Season
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<p>Who among baseball fans will ever forget the humble grace from pitcher <span>Armando Galarraga</span> in dealing with the perfect game that was his if not for a blown 27th-out call?</p>
<p>Instead of crying foul or lashing out at umpire Jim Joyce for the error, Galarraga said his peace with class and just let it be, a decision that made the journeyman pitcher legions of new fans.</p>
<p>Galarraga just turned 29. He has a career record of 23-26 with a 4.58 ERA as he gets set to join the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> after being acquired from Detroit in a trade. He can pitch, but isn't a household name for his pitching, and probably isn't even the most famous Galarraga from his homeland, Venezuela. That would be Andres "The Big Cat" Galarraga.</p>
<p>But he has achieved fame for his reaction to losing the perfect game. </p>
<p>"I never thought it was going to be such big news," Galarraga said. "A lot of people liked the story because it was a good story.</p>
<p>"I was so nervous and I was so happy. There's a lot of feelings that go through you at that moment," Galarraga added. "I remember when Jim Joyce called it safe at first base on the last out. I couldn't believe it. I was in shock... it made me laugh."</p>
<p>After a little while and before Joyce apologized for his bad call, Galarraga has already realized that things happen. He's somewhat tired of talking about it now, and wants to focus on 2011 in Phoenix. </p>
<p>"I'm excited to bat," Galarraga said, laughing.</p>
<p>The thing about Galarraga that is refreshing is that he knows what he is and what he isn't when it comes to being in the big leagues.</p>
<p>"Sometimes I don't have the big control or the power to win games," he admitted. "The point for me is to be healthy and do my best."</p>
<p>That said, if everything goes right, Galarraga sees himself as a starter who can win 16 or 17 games this season. He looks forward to pitching at Chase Field, calling it a "pitcher's stadium."</p>
<p>"I'm looking forward to doing my job, helping the team, and have a great season," he said.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-diamondbacks/2011/1/24/1953931/armando-galarraga-still-feeling-the-good-vibes-from-near-perfectoJose Romero2011-01-24T14:38:17-07:002011-01-24T14:38:17-07:00Armando Galarraga Traded To Diamondbacks For Two Pitching Prospects
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<p>The Arizona Diamondbacks made an interesting move today when they traded Detroit Tigers two relatively unknown and completely unheralded minor league pitchers for Armondo Galarraga. Galarraga, you might recall if you watch any sports at all, made news last season when he was <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2010/6/3/1499206/armando-galarraga-perfect-game-jim-joyce-blown-call-mlb" target="_blank">robbed of a perfect game on a blown call </a>in the last out of the ninth inning. </p>
<p>The Tigers were willing to move Galarraga after signing another former Diamondback, Brad Penny. He will join what has suddenly become a very interesting battle between seven guys for the five starting spots in the Diamondbacks rotation. Galarraga will join Joe Saunders, Ian Kennedy, Dan Hudson, Barry Enright, Zach Duke, and Aaron Heilman who will all be competing for the jobs with Heilman and Enright as the early favorites to be voted off the island and into the bull pen. And lets not forget that the promising young Jarrod Parker is expected to be ready to see some time in the majors at some point this season. </p>
<p>So while some pitching staffs are top heavy, the Diamondbacks suddenly find themselves with a lot of depth even if it's just a depth of mediocrity. Given the youth involved and overall lack of dominance on the staff, it's about how you would draw it up while waiting to see if either Parker or any of the other young arms like Patrick Corbin or Tyler Skaggs develop into ace material.</p>
<p>"We are excited about the opportunity to acquire a pitcher of Armando Galarraga's ability a few weeks before the start of Spring Training," D-backs' Executive Vice President and General Manager Kevin Towers said. "Armando is a quality pitcher as well as individual that will compete for a spot in our rotation with all of the other starting pitchers this spring."</p>
<p>The prospects traded for Galarraga are right-handed pitcher Kevin Eichhorn and left-handed pitcher Ryan Robowski, according to an official team press release. Galarraga is under contract for this year for $2.3 million but with arbitration will be under Diamondbacks control for a total of three seasons.</p>
<p>Here's a bit on Galarraga's numbers from the Diamondbacks press release:</p>
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<p>Galarraga, 29, posted a 4-9 record and 4.49 ERA (72 ER in 144.1 IP) with 51 walks and 74 strikeouts in 25 games (24 starts) for the Tigers last season. Over parts of four Major League seasons with the Texas Rangers (2007) and Tigers (2008-10), he has a 23-26 record and 4.58 ERA (242 ER in 475.1 IP) with 186 walks and 301 strikeouts in 87 career games. In 78 career starts, he has a 23-25 record and 4.47 ERA (229 ER in 460.2 IP) with 175 walks and 291 strikeouts.</p>
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<p>The Diamondbacks also announced today that they signed former Diamondback pitcher Micah Owings to a minor league contract. Owings was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in 2008 as part of the deal that brought Adam Dunn to the desert. Ownings has struggled as a pitcher but is well-remembered here for his prowess at the plate.</p>
<p>Towers said that Owings will compete for bull pen job as a long reliever but he could also see some time at first base. </p>
<p>Here's the numbers on Micah per the press release.</p>
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<p>Owings, 28, posted a 3-2 record and 5.40 ERA (20 ER in 33.1 IP) with 25 walks and 35 strikeouts in 22 relief appearances for the Cincinnati Reds last season. He also pitched in 8 games (5 starts) for Triple-A Louisville, posting a 2.21 ERA (5 ER in 20.1 IP) with 10 walks and 13 strikeouts.<br> <br>Over parts of four Major League seasons with the D-backs (2007-08) and Reds (2009-10), he has a 24-31 record and 5.11 ERA (233 ER in 410.1 IP) with 180 walks and 296 strikeouts in 99 career games (64 starts). In 35 career relief appearances, he has a 4-3 record and 4.99 ERA (32 ER in 57.2 IP) with 42 walks and 50 strikeouts.</p>
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https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-diamondbacks/2011/1/24/1953748/armando-galarraga-traded-to-diamondbacks-for-two-pitching-prospectsSeth Pollack2011-01-18T21:23:51-07:002011-01-18T21:23:51-07:00Breaking Down The Diamondbacks: 2011 Starting Lineup Preview
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<p>After signing Aaron Heilman and Willie Bloomquist today, the 2011 Diamondbacks team is coming into focus. After trading away Mark Reynolds and letting Adam LaRoche walk, a new philosophy is being preached by GM Mark Towers. No longer will strikeouts be accepted and tolerated; this team will put the ball into play and hopefully score some runs while playing savvy defense.</p>
<p><b>KEY ADDITIONS:</b> Melvin Mora, 3B; Xavier Nady, OF; Willie Bloomquist, UTIL; Geoff Blum, UTIL; Zach Duke, SP; J.J. Putz, RP; David Hernandez, RP; Juan Miranda, 1B</p>
<p><b>KEY LOSSES:</b> Mark Reynolds, 3B; Adam LaRoche, 1B; Augie Ojeda, UTIL; Rusty Ryal, OF; Mike Hampton, SP; Brandon Webb, SP; Rodrigo Lopez, SP; Kris Benson, RP</p>
<p>When you look at the departures from the 2010 Arizona Diamondbacks team, it's mostly dead weight. Either they struck out too much, gave up too many home runs, or were hurt all season, it didn't matter -- these players screamed mediocrity. The only exception to that is LaRoche, who had an excellent season, eclipsing the century mark for RBIs for the first time in his career. LaRoche will suit up for the Washington Nationals in 2011.</p>
<p>With that said, here's how I think the 2011 starting lineup will look on opening day in Denver.</p>
<p>SS - Stephen Drew<br>2B - Kelly Johnson<br>CF - Chris Young<br>RF - Justin Upton<br>C - Miguel Montero<br>LF - Xavier Nady<br>1B - Brandon Allen<br>3B - Melvin Mora<br>P - Ian Kennedy</p>
<p>This is a lineup with a fair bit of potential - both for disaster, and for success. Most of it hinges on Upton and Montero. If they are able to hit over .285 and not strike out excessively, the Diamondbacks will score runs. Will their pitching staff be able to keep them in games, however? That's a different question entirely.</p>
<p>With zero legitimate aces on staff, Arizona will rely on Kennedy, Barry Enright, and Daniel Hudson to step up and have good 2011 campaigns. Joe Saunders and Zach Duke will provide the veteran savvy in the clubhouse.</p>
<p>Role players such as Geoff Blum, Willie Bloomquist, and Tony Abreu will all play very hard in an effort to get more playing time. Blum and Bloomquist are notorious for stealing playing time from overconfident veterans; Mora will certainly get plenty of rest this season.</p>
<p>While I don't anticipate a meltdown in 2011 from these Diamondbacks, I don't see the playoffs in their future either. Somewhere in the low 80s is what I expect from Arizona in terms of victories this season. More than that is just unrealistic when you factor in the pitching staff and lack of a huge home run hitter, but the bullpen is much improved and the team has a better chance this year.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-diamondbacks/2011/1/18/1943375/breaking-down-the-diamondbacks-2011-starting-lineup-previewCory Williams2011-01-18T12:55:05-07:002011-01-18T12:55:05-07:00Diamondbacks Re-sign Aaron Heilman To Compete For Starting Spot
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<p>The Arizona Diamondbacks, on the heels of avoiding salary arbitration with pitcher Joe Saunders and infielder Stephen Drew, <a href="http://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/27441424630812672">have reportedly agreed to terms with Aaron Heilman </a>to pitch for the team again in 2011.</p>
<p>Heilman was arguably the most consistent pitcher out of the bullpen last season and even closed for a while, but has come back to compete for a job in the starting rotation. As of now, the rotation looks set with Saunders, Ian Kennedy, Daniel Hudson, Barry Enright and newly acquired Zach Duke, but adding an element of competition for the rotation should hopefully increase the performance of all involved.</p>
<p>"Heilman, I don't think it's any secret that he's really wanted to start, or get an opportunity to start. He started in college at Notre Dame and actually had a good spring years back with New York and ended up back in the pen," Diamondbacks Vice President and General Manager Kevin Towers said today after a media tour of the team's new spring training facility.</p>
<p>"It sounded like he maybe had better offers other places as a reliever but we were willing to give him an opportunity to go battle it out against guys like Duke and Enright and see if he can win the job."</p>
<p>If he does not win a starting spot, he would move back into the middle of the bullpen, where he was most effective last season.</p>
<p>Heilman's one-year contract is for $2 million which is a slight decline from the $2.5 million he made last season in Arizona.</p>
<p><i>For more on the signing, be sure to check out <strong><font color="#c52126"><a href="http://www.azsnakepit.com/">AZ Snakepit</a>.</font></strong></i></p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-diamondbacks/2011/1/18/1942487/diamondbacks-re-sign-aaron-heilman-to-compete-for-starting-spotJess Root2011-01-18T12:21:39-07:002011-01-18T12:21:39-07:00Diamondbacks Avoid Arbitration By Signing Drew, Saunders
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<p>The club announced Tuesday that it has signed shortstop <span>Stephen Drew</span> and starting pitcher <span>Joe Saunders</span> to contracts.</p>
<p>Drew gets a two-year deal with a mutual option for 2013, and Saunders got a one-year deal. Saunders, a lefty, was 3-7 with a 4.25 <span class="caps">ERA</span> for Arizona after coming over in the <span>Dan Haren</span> trade last July. He pitched more than 200 innings for the first time in his career.</p>
<p>Drew, 27, is the longest-tenured shortstop in club history with 633 games over five seasons. He’ll be counted on heavily this season after hitting .278 with 33 doubles, a career-high-tying 12 triples, 15 home runs and 61 <span class="caps">RBI</span> in 151 games last season. He also set career-highs with 62 walks, 10 stolen bases and a .352 on-base percentage.</p>
<p>The deals for Drew and Saunders were both completed late last night. The signing allows the team to avoid arbitration for the next two years on Drew and for this year on Saunders. The D-backs will still likely face arbitration with Kelly Johnson and Miguel Montero. </p>
<p>Diamondbacks Vice President and General Manager Kevin Towers expects to have a better idea on the gaps and where the mid-points are for the Johnson and Montero negotiations at some point this afternoon.</p>
<p>"My hope is to get everybody signed and avoid a hearing. If we have to go, we have to go but it's not a process that anybody comes out of -- regardless if you win or lose -- that they're real happy with," Tower said today.</p>
<p>Drew's contract is for $4.65 million in the first year, $7.75 million in the second year with a mutual option for $10 million in the third year. If the Diamondbacks decline the option there's a $1.35 million buyout.</p>
<p>Saunders will make $5.5 million on his one-year deal.</p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-diamondbacks/2011/1/18/1942417/diamondbacks-avoid-arbitration-by-signing-drew-saundersJose Romero2011-01-13T23:25:01-07:002011-01-13T23:25:01-07:00Diamondbacks Reportedly Agree To Sign Willie Blooquist
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<p>SI’s John Heyman reported that the <a href="http://twitter.com/SI_JonHeyman/status/25580606238756864">Arizona Diamondbacks have come to terms with free agent utility infielder and former <span class="caps">ASU</span> Sun Devil Willie Bloomquist</a> on a one-year contract with a mutual option for a second year. Bloomquist, whose agent is Scott Boras, split time between the <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Kansas City Royals</a> and <a href="https://www.redreporter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cincinnati Reds</a> in 2010, batting .267/.299/.380 with 25 stolen bases.</p>
<p>This move is seen as a surprise as he will compete with younger and cheaper <span>Tony Abreu</span> for the same spot on the roster. He does provide another veteran presence with a reputation for being scrappy. Whether he will translate into better performance will be determined once games are played.</p>
<p>While the D’Backs might sign a starting pitcher to a minor league deal, it appears that their offseason moves are likely done.Individual game tickets for all 33 games during the inaugural Spring Training season for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick will go on sale beginning on Monday.</p>
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<p>Tickets can be purchased in person beginning at 10 a.m. MST at the D-backs Ticket Office at Chase Field, at dbacks.com/spring and coloradorockies.com/spring and by calling 888.490.0383 or 480.362.WINS (9467). Tickets will also be available beginning at noon on Monday at the Salt River Fields temporary ticket office in the Scottsdale Pavilions, located next to Target at 8980 E. Indian Bend Rd., Suite D-6, in Scottsdale.</p>
<p>General admission lawn seating that will hold 4,000 people will be $8 and tickets for 7,000 reserved seats in the seating bowl will range from $15-$25. More specifically, ticket prices for games at Salt River Fields are: Infield Box $25, Dugout Reserve $21, Infield Reserve $20, Party Decks $19, Baseline Reserve $15 and Lawn $8.</p>
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<p>Click here for the full <a href="http://arizona.sbnation.com/2010/12/1/1848740/arizona-diamondbacks-spring-training-schedule-released" target="_blank">Diamondback Spring Training schedule</a> so you can begin planning your excuses to skip work or school. We don't encourage ditching work or school but taking a "sick" day or two during Spring Training is your right as an American. Fight for your right to enjoy great weather and watch bad baseball! </p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-diamondbacks/2011/1/13/1934425/diamondbacks-reportedly-agree-to-sign-willie-blooquistJess Root2010-12-17T13:18:11-07:002010-12-17T13:18:11-07:00Xavier Nady and Henry Blanco Officially Signed By Diamondbacks
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<p>The ink is now dry on the press release announcing the signing of Xavier Nady and Henry Blanco. Here's the details as provided by the team.</p>
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<p>(PHOENIX) - The Arizona Diamondbacks announced today they have agreed to terms with catcher Henry Blanco and outfielder Xavier Nady, according to D-backs' Executive Vice President and General Manager Kevin Towers. Blanco agreed to a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2012 and Nady agreed to a one-year contract for 2011. </p>
<p>Blanco, 39, hit .215 (28-for-130) with 10 runs scored, 5 doubles, 2 home runs and 8 RBI in 50 games for the New York Mets last season. Over parts of 13 seasons in the Majors with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Colorado Rockies, Milwaukee Brewers, Atlanta Braves, Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres and Mets, he posted a .227 average (559-for-2,463) with 134 doubles, 10 triples, 60 home runs and 265 RBI in 863 games.</p>
<p>Blanco ranks third among all active catchers after having thrown out 40.9 percent (229-for-560) of would-be base stealers in his career. Since 2008, his .997 fielding percentage ranks second among all National League catchers with a minimum of 150 games played. Blanco was signed by the Dodgers as a non-drafted free agent on Nov. 12, 1989.</p>
<p>Nady, 32, hit .256 (81-for-317) with 33 runs scored, 13 doubles, 6 home runs and 33 RBI in 119 games for the Chicago Cubs last season. Over parts of 9 seasons in the Majors with the San Diego Padres, New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees and Cubs, he has batted .277 (713-for-2,574) with 141 doubles, 6 triples, 93 home runs and 358 RBI in 798 career games. Last season, Nady rebounded to play 119 games after being limited to 7 games with the Yankees in 2009 due to "Tommy John" surgery on his right elbow that was performed on July 8, 2009. Defensively, he has played 571 career games in the outfield and compiled a .981 fielding percentage while playing 431 games in right field, 106 in left field and 45 in center field. He has also played 134 games at first base, including 52 last season in place of Derrek Lee, and compiled a .993 fielding percentage.</p>
<p>Nady was selected by the Padres in the second round of the 2000 First-Year Player Draft. He signed on Sept. 17, 2000 and immediately joined the Padres to become the 20<sup>th</sup> drafted player to go directly to the Majors since the draft was instituted in 1965. He was originally selected by the St. Louis Cardinals as their fourth-round selection in the 1997 First-Year Player Draft but elected to play collegiately at the University of California.</p>
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https://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-diamondbacks/2010/12/17/1882537/xavier-nady-and-henry-blanco-officially-signed-by-diamondbacksSeth Pollack2010-12-16T10:33:23-07:002010-12-16T10:33:23-07:00Xavier Nady And Henry Blanco Finish Diamondbacks Extreme Makeover
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<p>Multiple reliable sources report that the the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Arizona Diamondbacks</a> have agreed to one-year deals with backup catcher <span>Henry Blanco</span> and veteran fielder <span>Xavier Nady</span>. The deals for both players are expected to become official later today once the players complete their physicals. </p>
<p>Nady, who played for Diamondback GM Kevin Towers with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">San Diego Padres</a>, had some very effective years at the plate. In 2008 with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pirates</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a>, Nady hit .303 and had 97 RBI. Last season with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Cubs</a>, Nady had dropped to just .256 with 33 RBI in 347 plate appearances while recovering from Tommy John elbow surgery performed in July 2009.</p>
<p>Nady is a contact-hitting right-handed bat that can play left field or first base, both positions of need on the roster. The team certainly is hoping that he can have a bounce-back season in Arizona like <span>Adam LaRoche</span> and <span>Kelly Johnson</span>, who both increased their offensive production after coming to the desert. Nady will likely share time in left field with <span>Gerardo Parra</span> and could also play first base along with <span>Juan Miranda</span> and Brandon Allen. Nady will reportedly make $1.75 million, plus possibly up to another million in incentives.</p>
<p>Blanco, as <a href="http://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-diamondbacks/2010/12/8/1864552/paul-konerko-almost-a-diamondback-mike-hampton-is-henry-blanco-could" target="_blank">previously stated</a>, will give the Diamondbacks a veteran back-up catcher with good defensive skills and a reputation for dealing well with pitching staffs. With the young D-backs rotation, along with the relatively inexperienced <span>Miguel Montero</span> behind the plate, Blanco's presence and winning experience was surely a big reason he was signed.</p>
<p>With these moves, the Diamondbacks are reportedly finished with their radical offseason makeover. They will have new players at first and third base replacing the strikeout-prone Mark Reynold and Adam LaRoche and have added lefty <span>Zach Duke</span> to the starting rotation. The biggest shake up, as expected and needed, came in the bullpen with the additions of closer <span>J.J. Putz</span>, and setup men David Fernandez and <span>Kam Mickolio</span>.</p>
<p>First and third base will not produce the power hitting the Diamondbacks were used to, but they also shouldn't kill so many rallies with their strikeouts. In fact, besides Chris Young and <span>Justin Upton</span>, there is very little pop in the order with the focus instead being on improved pitching.</p>
<p>Perhaps if this team gets off to a good start, they can keep their eyes out for a power right-handed bat to play in left or one of the corner infield positions, but they obviously weren't willing to break the bank on any of the available free agents this winter. After <span>Paul Konerko</span> <a href="http://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-diamondbacks/2010/12/8/1864552/paul-konerko-almost-a-diamondback-mike-hampton-is-henry-blanco-could" target="_blank">turned down the D-backs' </a>three-year, $30 million offer to take more money from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.southsidesox.com/">White Sox</a>, there weren't any other good options available. They certainly weren't going to be in the market for <span>Carl Crawford</span> ($142 million) or <span>Jayson Werth</span> ($126 million). </p>
<p>This is by no means a roster that will move the D-backs into immediate contention, but it at least has the potential to be better than last year's disappointing squad. Kirk Gibson has promised to remake the culture of the clubhouse and has infused more veteran players like <span>Mike Hampton</span>, <span>Melvin Mora</span> and Blanco to give the team more of a competitive edge.</p>
<p>One thing's for sure, this is Gibson and Tower's team now.</p>
<p><i>For more Arizona Diamondback discussion, visit A<a href="http://arizona.sbnation.com/arizona-diamondbacks/2010/12/8/1864552/paul-konerko-almost-a-diamondback-mike-hampton-is-henry-blanco-could" target="_blank">Z Snakepit</a>.</i></p>
https://arizona.sbnation.com/2010/12/16/2326452/xavier-nady-and-henry-blanco-finish-diamondbacks-extreme-makeoverSeth Pollack