INSIDE PITCH
He filed for free agency, but it's doubtful the Diamondbacks will
let veteran first baseman Tony Clark slither away from Phoenix.
The team has made at least one formal offer to its clubhouse leader,
believed to be for at least two years, and although Clark and his
agent balked at the initial deal, there are plenty of reasons to believe an
agreement will be reached before long.
"The Diamondbacks have offered what they think is fair, and they
haven't convinced us of that," agent John Boggs said.
Clark filed for free agency on Oct. 30 and is seeking a deal worth
more than the two-year, $2 million, bargain-basement value he gave the
Diamondbacks to return in 2006. He signed that deal, he said, so he
could assure he would play close to his longtime Valley home and to pay
close attention to his array of Arizona-wide charities.
"This is not a money grab," Boggs said. "We're not trying to make up
for the last contract. We just want what's fair."
The Diamondbacks will almost surely up their offer to bring back
Clark, 35, who hit .249 with 17 home runs and 51 RBIs in 221 at-bats in a
part-time role, splitting time at first base with Conor Jackson.
"You look at what he has produced when given the opportunity to
produce," Boggs said. "You double his at-bats, and you could make a good
point that he could double his run production."
NOTES, QUOTES
--RHP Curt Schilling, who helped the Boston Red Sox win their second
World Series in four years and was also a member of the Diamondbacks
when they beat the Yankees for their only championship in 2001, said he
would consider a return to Arizona now that he officially has filed for
free agency.
But Schilling's likely salary demand of at least $10 million a year,
plus his age (he turns 41 in November) and health questions,
particularly with the Diamondbacks already on the hook for veteran and injury
risk LHP Randy Johnson, make Schilling's return somewhat unlikely.
--Manager Bob Melvin has entered into preliminary talks with
management about a contract extension, and a new deal appeared to be imminent.
Melvin is under contract for 2008 and has a club option to return in
'09. There were indications from the front office that the team would
pick up the option and likely add at least another guaranteed year to
Melvin's deal.
--Pitching coach Bryan Price had his 2008 option exercised by the
Diamondbacks, bringing him back for at least next season. Bench coach
Kirk Gibson and hitting coach Rick Schu are already under contract for
2008. The contracts of third base coach Chip Hale, bullpen coach Glenn
Sherlock and first base coach Lee Tinsley were set to expire, but all are
expected to be retained.
--Mel Stottlemyre, who spent the 2007 season in an advisory role for
the Diamondbacks, has left the organization to become pitching coach
for the Seattle Mariners under manager John McLaren.
--2B Orlando Hudson's left thumb has healed well enough that he was
on the verge of being cleared to begin full baseball activities. He
easily should be ready for the start of spring training.
--Diamondbacks radio play-by-play man Greg Schulte, who has been
with the team since its inception, is a nominee for the Ford. C. Frick
Award, which has been presented annually since 1970 to a broadcaster for
major contributions to baseball.
--RHP Livan Hernandez, INF Jeff Cirillo and RHP Bob Wickman joined
1B Tony Clark in filing for free agency, but none other than Clark is
expected to return to the team. Wickman plans to retire.
--RHP Livan Hernandez is set to become a free agent, and although
the club wouldn't mind having him back to help anchor the starting
rotation, it remains unlikely as Hernandez is expected to command more money
on the open market than the Diamondbacks are willing to pay.
BY THE NUMBERS: 10 -- Strikeouts by RHP Max Scherzer, the
Diamondbacks' first-round pick in 2006, after facing his first 23 batters in the
Arizona Fall League. Her is pitching in the bullpen after spending the
season as a starter.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I think it's a good staff. I think Bob trusts
everybody and puts a lot of responsibility on our shoulders. He makes it a
good working atmosphere. I couldn't be happier to be coming back." --
Pitching coach Bryan Price on manager Bob Melvin and the Diamondbacks
coaching staff.
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