Arizona Diamondbacks: Winter Meetings Day 1
The Arizona Diamondbacks have been linked to a few names during the Winter Meetings.
Here it is, the Monday after the signing that shook the foundation of baseball. The Arizona Diamondbacks swooped in to sign top free agent pitcher Zack Greinke to a six-year, $206.5 million dollar contract pending a physical. We know the D-backs can use another arm to pair with Greinke, Patrick Corbin and the rest of the rotation in order to be truly called World Series contenders. As Day One of the Winter Meetings rolls on, there have been numerous stories and rumors about what the team will do next. Here is what we have heard so far:
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Rumors of DBacks making a 5-year offer to Leake have been out there, but I've been unable to confirm.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) December 7, 2015
Leake has been linked to the D-backs for about two months. He went to Arizona State which is why this remains the hot name. He also comes without the cost of surrendering the 13th overall selection which is a big drawback to Wei-Yin Chen‘s value. Five years seems to be a lot for the 28-year old Leake but this is what happens when you are a team that is oh-so-close to where it wants to be and the market for starting pitchers is as hot as ever. Would it surprise anyone to see the Snakes make another splash on Day One?
Mets, D'Backs Had Interest In Joakim Soria https://t.co/e8DGnJHF6m pic.twitter.com/CHKvUCr9IA
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) December 7, 2015
Soria would have made a nice arm at the end of the bullpen for the D-backs. As it is, he effectively replaces Greg Holland in Kansas City as the Royals inked him to a three-year $25 million dollar deal. Soria could have also closed for Arizona had the team wanted Brad Ziegler return to an eighth inning rule. As it is, expect Soria to become a main setup guy in KC with Wade Davis finishing off more Royals’ victories.
With Greinke in place, #Dbacks out on Maeda, source said. Many scouts/officials see him as fourth/fifth starter. Said to be seeking $60M.
— Jack Magruder (@JackMagruder) December 7, 2015
Despite D-backs’ general manager being on record saying that he “loves” Kenta Maeda, this should not be surprising. If the Japanese right-hander is indeed seeking $60 million dollars, the actual price tag will be $80 million dollars when you throw in the $20 million dollar price tag. That’s simply too much money for the team at this point after shelling out all that cash for Greinke. Perhaps it is the market that is driving up Maeda’s price tag and it went to a place where Stewart and company started to get uncomfortable.
Sources: #DBacks talked Jose with #Marlins. Chance of deal described as “slim.” MIA wanted Corbin+. AZ more likely to trade for lesser SP.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 7, 2015
Next: Jarrod Saltalamacchia Signs with the Detroit Tigers
This is the D-backs doing their due diligence on Jose Fernandez. It would be unrealistic to see Arizona swing a trade for the young right-hander, even more unrealistic than signing Zack…….oh, wait never mind. Seriously, I am sure the other 29 clubs also contacted the Marlins about Fernandez to gauge the seriousness of the team in dealing him and what it would take.