Arizona Diamondbacks’ Offseason So Far: The Numbers
By Thomas Lynch
Without question, the Arizona Diamondbacks have been the most talked-about team thus far in the off-season. Most of it has centered around the consistently swirling trade winds around outfielder Justin Upton. Also, swaying in the breeze of potential deals is right handed pitcher Trevor Bauer, the team’s first round draft pick in 2011. Throw in the fact the D’Backs completed two trades on the same day during the playoffs and you have a team that is making the kind of headlines that would make New York Jets‘ owner Woody Johnson proud. With that in mind, here are some numbers that have jumped out at me since Arizona’s season ended October 3rd.
Which uniform will Trevor Bauer in 2013?: Liz Condo-US PRESSWIRE
11…and counting-This would be the number of Fansided MLB sites that have posted articles about the possibility of their teams acquiring Justin Upton. It is not hard to figure considering his age (25) and that fact he is under club control for another three years. I threw in the “and counting part” because that is how many I found thus far. It wouldn’t surprise me to see the real number in the 20’s.
500,000-This is the amount of money the D’Backs sent to the Oakland A’s to help with Chris Young‘s $10 million dollar contract in 2013. The other number in this equation is 13,000,000 as in the dollars owed to Heath Bell over the next two years. The Miami Marlins will be paying an additional $8 million to Bell. Arizona now has $13 million tied up in Bell and current closer J.J. Putz. That’s a lot of money in two 35-year old relievers.
2-If you thought this was the number of trades made, you are partially correct. It is the number of new TV broadcasters the D’Backs introduced. Steve Berthiaume, formerly of ESPN and Bob Brenly, manager of the 2001 World Series Champion D’Backs, met the media on November 5th following the strange departures of Daron Sutton and Mark Grace. I have always been a fan of their work, particularly Berthiaume who I felt underutilized at ESPN.
29-the number of teams who would love to have Bauer, Wade Miley, and Tyler Skaggs on the same staff.
389-The number of times Upton will have been rumored to be traded between now and Spring Training.
3.14-Because who doesn’t like Pie
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