Arroyo planning to meet with D-backs
Free-agent righty won 14 games with a 3.79 ERA for the Reds last season
PHOENIX -- A baseball source confirmed a Boston Globe report that said the D-backs are planning to meet with free-agent pitcher Bronson Arroyo.
The D-backs have been seeking a starting pitcher all winter, exploring trade possibilities for the Rays' David Price and the Cubs' Jeff Samardzija, and they were one of the finalists for the services of right-hander Masahiro Tanaka, who 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 longer than three years to any free-agent pitcher other than Tanaka.
Earlier this week, the D-backs decided to take another look at possible free agents on the market, particularly Arroyo.
Free-agent pitchers Ervin Santana and Ubaldo Jimenez are tied to Draft compensation, meaning Arizona would have to surrender its first-round pick in this year's Draft should the club sign one of them. Arroyo, however, would not cost a Draft pick.
Arroyo, who turns 37 later this month, was 14-12 with a 3.79 ERA last season for the Reds and has been a workhorse during his career. Over the last nine seasons, Arroyo has thrown at least 199 innings.
D-backs pitchers and catchers are set to report to Spring Training on Thursday.
Right now, Arizona's rotation looks to include Patrick Corbin, Wade Miley, Trevor Cahill and Brandon McCarthy, with Randall Delgado and top prospect Archie Bradley among those competing for the No. 5 spot in the rotation.