Can Tyler Skaggs help make the Dan Haren acquisition of 2007 an overall success for the D’Backs? (US Presswire: Matt Kartozian)

There has been plenty of buzz around the Arizona Diamondbacks with trade rumors about multiple players involving multiple teams. Aside from a few free agent signings and the initial flurry of moves that landed the team a new shortstop in Cliff Pennington and another bullpen arm in Heath Bell, there hasn’t been the blockbuster trade that many thought would involve the D’Backs this offseason. In the wake of the recent MLB Winter Meetings in Nashville, and with the moves that the Diamondbacks made and didn’t make, it’s a good time to reflect upon some of the deals the organization has made since it’s inception in 1998.

Before we get into the meat of this article, allow me to share the two qualifying criteria. 1) The trade had to be made outside of the regular season, not during. 2) The acquisitions we’re recognizing are trades with other teams, not free agent signings.

With that, I give you the top 5 all time offseason trades made by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

5. Diamondbacks traded Chris Capuano, Craig Counsell, Chad Moeller, Lyle Overbay, Jorge De La Rosa and Junior Spivey to the Milwaukee Brewers for Shane Nance, Richie Sexson, and Noochie Varner on December 15, 2003.
This was a huge acquisition for Arizona and was an attempt to land a big-name player to be the future and cornerstone of the team moving forward. Richie Sexson was coming off of a 2003 season in which he hit 45 HR and 124 RBI for Milwaukee and was looked at as a future star for years to come. However, his career as a Diamondback was short- lived, as he succumbed to a season-ending shoulder injury limiting him to just 23 games in 2004. Sexson, a free agent following the 2003 season, could not come to terms on a new contract with Arizona. The team decided to give a big contract to Troy Glaus instead of Sexson who went on to sign with Seattle.

4. Diamondbacks traded Travis Fryman, Tom Martin and cash to the Cleveland Indians for Matt Williams on December 1, 1997.
The D’Backs made the biggest move of their young history landing a big-time third baseman Matt Williams. This was the team’s first big move to establish themselves in Major League Baseball as well as adding the first piece to their 2001 World Series Championship squad. Williams is looked at as one of the best players to ever wear a Diamondbacks uniform.

3. Diamondbacks traded Brett Anderson, Chris Carter, Aaron Cunningham, Dana Eveland, Carlos Gonzalez and Greg Smith to the Oakland Athletics. Received Dan Haren and Connor Robertson on December 14, 2007.
It’s very easy to say that this particular trade backfired on the D’Backs considering the names that were shipped to Oakland in this deal. Carlos Gonzalez and Brett Anderson have had nice careers up to this point. However, the jury is still out on this deal considering the pieces that Arizona was able to acquire in dealing Haren two and a half years later. The acquisition of current pitching prospects Tyler Skaggs and Patrick Corbin help make up the organizational depth that the team is now enjoying. Skaggs and Corbin could eventually make this deal from 2007 a big win for Arizona.

2. As part of a 3-team trade, the Diamondbacks traded Max Scherzer and Daniel Schlereth to the Detroit Tigers. Arizona received Edwin Jackson from Detroit and Ian Kennedy from the New York Yankees. Additionally, Detroit sent Curtis Granderson to the New York who sent Phil Coke and Austin Jackson to the Detroit on December 8, 2009.
This is one of those rare trades that most would agree, worked out for all parties involved. It’s very rare that a two-team trade works out for both sides much less one involving three teams. All players involved, with the exception of Edwin Jackson, are currently contributing to their respective teams. Kennedy helped lead the D’Backs to an NL West Championship in 2011 and currently sits as the team’s ace heading into the 2013 season.

1. Diamondbacks traded Karim Garcia to the Detroit Tigers for Luis Gonzalez on December 28, 1998.
This is the organization’s biggest coup in franchise history. Arizona traded one-time prospect Karim Garcia for the player that became the face of the Diamondbacks’ franchise, Luis Gonzalez. No one will forget his amazing 2001 season in which he hit 57 HR and drove in 142 RBI leading Arizona to their magical World Series win over the Yankees. Arizona would eventually retire his number 20 at Chase Field in 2010. Gonzalez continues to leave his mark on the organization today as a jack of all trades offering his services as a television analyst as well as special assistant to the organization’s front office.

Matt Williams could be wearing a different uniform and standing in a different spot in 2013. Image: Jennifer Hilderbrand-US PRESSWIRE

If Williams indeeds leaves to become the manager either in Colorado or Toronto or any other place for that matter, it would be strange to not to see him in the D’Back organization.  Since becoming an original member of the club as a player in 1998, he has become synonymous with Arizona baseball.  He won a World Series title as a player in 2001.  He owns a part of the team and has worked in the broadcast booth.  He managed Double A Mobile for two months when manager Brett Butler had health issues and has been both the first base coach and third base coach with the big club.  In short, he has done it all in the desert.

Now Matt Williams may be getting his shot at managing a big league club.  If he does not succeed in getting either the Rockies’ or the Blue Jays’ spot, you could imagine what the chatter will be if the D’Backs’ get off to a slow start next season.  One could almost picture if the team is under .500 at the All Star break that fans will be saying Kirk Gibson should be replaced and that Williams is the man for the job.   I hope it doesn’t come to that because that probably means no playoffs again for the D’Backs.

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On Monday, the Blue Jays were granted permission to speak with Matt Williams about the managerial opening north of the border. Should we be worried? No. I don’t see Matty taking a job in Toronto. That being said, the fact that the Colorado Rockies have spoken to Matt concerns me a bit. Williams is currently managing many young players for the Rockies in the AFL. Maybe this is just the selfish side of me speaking but I don’t want to see Matt Williams leave, and I certainly don’t want to see him in another NL West teams uniform. Matty was there from the start in 1998 when the “BOB” was the hot spot in Phoenix. He was there in 2001, and we all know what happened that year! I’m interested to see this situation play out but I think I speak for most D’Backs fans when I say i don’t  want to see Williams gone.

In news that isn’t causing me to lose sleep, the team has declined options on catcher, Henry Blanco and relief pitcher, Matt Lindstrom. Hmmm, maybe we could have another Chris Snyder sighting in the desert? I don’t think so. However, the Astros declined the option on Snyder on Tuesday, making him a free agent. The decision to decline Blanco’s option shouldn’t really come as a surprise as the 41 year-old hit .188 in very limited action last year and chose not to sign my D’Backs poster at spring training (I know, i know, that’s beside the point!) As far as Lindstrom goes, the violent throwing right-hander can play a role in any bullpen in the league, except for ours I guess. The D’Backs bought out the 32 year old for $200,000. I see Lindstrom getting signed by somebody for a short-term fix and based on the fact that Matt has pitched for 4 teams in 2 years, my thoughts aren’t too far fetched.  Ever since Ryan Roberts left, it seems like the team is just trying to free up tattoo space in the clubhouse.

Is it too early to start the countdown until pitchers and catchers report? No? Okay! 110 days.