Diamondback Jay

Diamondbacks president and CEO Derrick Hall was a featured interview on a chat on MLB.com chat yesterday.

In the chat, Hall emphasized that it is essential to see strikeouts reduced next year, claiming would be approached "by new approach or by player personnel moves."

The Snakes as a team struck out 1,529 times, with Mark Reynolds leading the pace with 211. Adam LaRoche, Justin Upton, Kelly Johnson and Chris Young also notched over 145 strikeouts each, while Stephen Drew logged over 100 whiffs. Needless to say, when six of your eight positional starters are logging over 100 strikeouts, improvements need to be made. The question looms as to who however might be in danger of losing their job and what approaches will be made to fix the problem.

Could Reynolds be on the way out? Could LaRoche be allowed to walk as a free agent?

Also, pitching will be the main priority this winter, with Hall suggesting the team will "fix the bullpen and add a starter," as he noted Kevin Towers is a believer in first improving the back end of the bullpen and eventually working toward the rotation.

Mere speculation here, but don't expect a big money splash in free agent. My thought is, they're gonna make a run at someone like Chris Young (the pitcher from San Diego), Jeremy Bonderman, Dave Bush, Rich Harden or Erik Bedard. It also wouldn't stun me to see them bring Webb back.

As for the bullpen, inside speculation is that Towers is aimed to make a push to trade for Heath Bell and build the bullpen around him. The Padres will be shopping him, as he is due for a raise and with Arizona's need for a closer and Towers' familiarity with Bell (he acquired him from the Mets when in San Diego), it seems like a natural fit.

I also think Carrasco will be back, and wouldn't be stunned if they bring Dotel back as well as a set up man.

This poses an interesting possibility.. Could Kevin Towers entice San Diego by offering up Mark Reynolds for Bell? Reynolds' home run power in the same lineup as Adrian Gonzalez could be EXTREMELY enticing for the Padres. Or, with Gonzalez's future in San Diego in question, could Reynolds be a cost friendly replacement?

Speaking of starters, Arizona plans to have Kelly Johnson in its Opening Day lineup next spring. Johnson has stated he likes being here and wouldn't object to sticking around for the long haul.

As for Jarrod Parker, his recovery from Tommy John seems to be going smoothly. Yesterday, he was on display in an Instructional League game and his fastball was touching the mid-90s. Even so, it's not expected that Parker will be competing for a rotation spot in the spring; and a trip to Reno appears on the horizon.

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Rest in Peace Jim, Tim and Danny.

az240zz

I don't think Webb makes it back. His last outing he was throwing in the low 80's, don't think he can get it to the upper 80's

overseascardfan

I wouldn't want Webb back. The guy is done and basically got paid for sitting the last 2 years. Over that time he got really out of shape and never really seemed like he was trying to come back until the last month of the season to try and audition for his next team. Well that mid 80's fastball really dropped his already low stock. He should be looking at a heavily incentive based deal for no more than $4M.

Back to more important matters, Towers has two major objectives this offseason:

1. Trade Mark Reynolds and break up the 1500 K club.
2. Fix the worst bull pen in the majors.

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That's right man, no one messes with the Jesus

binkar

And fill about a dozen front office, scouting, and coaching positions.