D-backs to take another look at potential free agents
Club had hoped to add rotation piece, evaluating matches on cusp of Spring Training
PHOENIX -- With just three days remaining before pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training, the D-backs might not be done adding to their roster.
D-backs team president and CEO Derrick Hall said that the team will make one more pass through its free-agent list to see if a match can be found.
"We owe it to ourselves to at least see what the remaining free agents are looking for," Hall said.
The D-backs had hoped to add a frontline starter this offseason and were one of the finalists for the services of right-hander Masahiro Tanaka, who eventually signed a $155 million deal with the Yankees.
Matt Garza was another pitcher the D-backs had interest in, but he was able to get a four-year deal from the Brewers. Arizona general manager Kevin Towers had said during the Winter Meetings that he did not anticipate offering a deal of longer than three years to any free-agent pitcher other than Tanaka.
Free-agent pitchers Ervin Santana and Ubaldo Jimenez are tied to Draft compensation, meaning the D-backs would have to surrender their first-round pick in this year's Draft should they sign one of them.
Right-hander Bronson Arroyo, however, is not tied to Draft compensation and therefore might be more attractive to the D-backs.
"I think we're always looking for ways to improve our ballclub," Towers said. "We'll look at starting pitching, we'll look at bats. And if the right guy's out there who we think makes financial sense, as well as a guy that we think makes our ballclub better, we'll look at it and pursue it. Our work is never done. I'm always looking for ways to improve the ballclub."
As it stands right now, the D-backs' rotation consists of Patrick Corbin, Wade Miley, Trevor Cahill and Brandon McCarthy. Top prospect Archie Bradley and Randall Delgado are expected to be among the leading contenders for the fifth spot.
Arroyo was 14-12 with a 3.79 ERA last season for the Reds. He has been a workhorse in his career. Over the last nine seasons he has thrown at least 199 innings.