AZ D’Backs News and Notes

The calm before the storm is almost upon us, that being the annual MLB Winter Meetings that will be held this year in Nashville, TN from December 3rd-6th.  Since the General Managers’ meeting earlier this month, there has been a litttle stirring around the Arizona Diamondbacks in the form of trading 3rd baseman Ryan Wheeler to the Colorado Rockies for left-handed reliver Matt Reynolds.   After weeks of silence, expect non-stop Justin Upton rumors all week. Here are some quick bits of D-Back-related news as we get ready for the doings down in Music City.

Jeff Keppinger expects to be ready for Spring Training after suffering a broken fibula. Image: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

-Arizona signed infielder Mark Teahen to a minor league deal.  The former Kansas City Royals prospect (he came to KC from the Oakland A’s as part of the three-way Carlos Beltran deal) did not play at all in the Major Leagues in 2012.  He spent the entire season with the Syracuse Chiefs, the Triple A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, playing in 124 games hitting .260 with three home runs and 63 RBI’s.  The D-Backs already have Willie Bloomquist and John McDonald as utility guys but perhaps if Teahan makes the big club, he could get the occasional start at first base to give Paul Goldschmidt a break.

–Jeff Keppinger broke his fibula as a result of a fall at his home but expects to be ready by Spring Training.  Coming off a career season in which he hit .325 in 418 plate appearances, Keppinger was hoping to cash in with a multi-year deal.  The D’Backs were one of the teams rumors to be interested in him but with the signing of Teahan, the urgency to sign him may be diminished.  Then again, Teahan could be stashed in the Minors and the Snakes still make a run at the 32 year-old infielder.

–Dan Haren is still a man without a team.  Before the Los Angeles Angels bought out his deal, the club made a failed attempt to trade Haren to the Chicago Cubs for Carlos Marmol.  Recently, the San Diego Padres expressed interest in the former D-Back ace.  Great.  The team that owned Arizona in 2012 now has a chance to stick it to them in 2013 by signing one their former standout hurlers.

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