The 2011 Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game will feature stars from film, music, television and entertainment teaming up with former Major Leaguers and former D-backs stars immediately following the XM All-Star Futures Game. Legends scheduled to play this year include Gary Carter, Andre Dawson, Luis Gonzalez, Rollie Fingers, Goose Gossage, Mark Grace and Ozzie Smith.

“There’s nothing more exciting than bringing the thrill of All-Star Week to my home team, the Arizona Diamondbacks,” said Luis Gonzalez, five-time All-Star and 2011 MLB All-Star Summer Ambassador. “I remember each All-Star experience that I was fortunate enough to participate in and I’m looking forward to adding a sixth to my resume with the Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game.”

Past celebrity participants have included Jessica Biel, Whoopi Goldberg, Jon Hamm, Jimmy Kimmel, George Lopez, Marisa Miller and Chris Rock. The game has also featured a collection of Hall of Famers including Ernie Banks, Rollie Fingers, Rickey Henderson, Paul Molitor and Dave Winfield.

The XM All-Star Futures Game showcases many of the top Minor League prospects. Players who have competed in both the XM All-Star Futures Game and the MLB All-Star Game include Ryan Braun, Miguel Cabrera, Zack Greinke, Josh Hamilton, Ryan Howard, Evan Longoria, Joe Mauer, Hanley Ramirez, CC Sabathia, Justin Upton, David Wright and Chris Young.

For more information, please visit allstargame.com or dbacks.com/asg.

(PHOENIX) — The Arizona Diamondbacks announced today they have avoided arbitration and agreed to terms with infielder Kelly Johnson on a one-year contract, according to D-backs’ Executive Vice President and General Manager Kevin Towers.

Johnson, 28, hit .284 (166-for-585) with 93 runs scored, 36 doubles, 5 triples, 26 home runs and 71 RBI in 154 games last season. He established career-highs in hits (166), home runs (26), RBI (71), stolen bases (13), slugging percentage (.496) and OPS (.865) while setting a new mark among D-backs’ all-time single-season totals for second basemen with 36 doubles. He was named the National League Player of the Month in April 2010 and became the fourth D-backs’ player to hit for the cycle in franchise history in a game against the Giants on July 23. He committed just 8 errors to post a .988 fielding percentage, which ranked fifth among all NL second basemen and is second only to Craig Counsell’s .990 fielding percentage in 2005 among second basemen in D-backs’ history.

Over parts of 5 seasons with the Braves and D-backs, Johnson has batted .269 (605-for-2,246) with 363 runs scored, 133 doubles, 27 triples, 71 home runs and 277 RBI in 644 career games. His .810 OPS ranks fourth among NL second basemen from 2007-10.

(PHOENIX) — The Arizona Diamondbacks announced today they have acquired right-handed pitcher Armando Galarraga from the Detroit Tigers for right-handed pitcher Kevin Eichhorn and left-handed pitcher Ryan Robowski, according to D-backs’ Executive Vice President and General Manager Kevin Towers.

“We are excited about the opportunity to acquire a pitcher of Armando Galarraga’s ability a few weeks before the start of Spring Training,” Towers said. “Armando is a quality pitcher as well as individual that will compete for a spot in our rotation with all of the other starting pitchers this spring.”

Galarraga, 29, posted a 4-9 record and 4.49 ERA (72 ER in 144.1 IP) with 51 walks and 74 strikeouts in 25 games (24 starts) for the Tigers last season. He made national headlines on June 2 vs. the Cleveland Indians when his pursuit of a perfect game was spoiled with two outs in the ninth inning Galarraga retired the next batter to close out the 3-0 victory and was named the American League Player of the Week. Galarraga also pitched in 8 games (7 starts) for Triple-A Toledo, posting a 4-2 record and 3.65 ERA (18 ER in 44.1 IP) with 14 walks and 40 strikeouts.

Over parts of four Major League seasons with the Texas Rangers (2007) and Tigers (2008-10), he has a 23-26 record and 4.58 ERA (242 ER in 475.1 IP) with 186 walks and 301 strikeouts in 87 career games. In 78 career starts, he has a 23-25 record and 4.47 ERA (229 ER in 460.2 IP) with 175 walks and 291 strikeouts. His best season came in 2008, when he had a 13-7 record and 3.73 ERA (74 ER in 178.2 IP) with 61 walks and 126 strikeouts in 30 games (28 starts) en route to earning Detroit Sports Broadcasters’ Association Tigers’ Rookie of the Year honors. He led AL rookies with 13 wins and 126 strikeouts and ranked third with a 3.73 ERA. Among A.L. pitchers, he ranked second with a .226 opponents batting average and 7.66 hits allowed per 9.0 innings. His 126 strikeouts established a team record for rookie right-handed pitchers and were the second-most by a rookie all-time. He pitched for his native Venezuela in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

Eichhorn, 20, had a combined 5-6 record and 5.00 ERA (48 ER in 86.1) with 18 walks and 81 strikeouts in 15 starts for Single-A Advanced Visalia, Rookie-Advanced Missoula and Short-Season A Yakima in 2010. He was named the organization’s pitcher of the month for July after going 3-1 with a 2.48 ERA (10 ER in 36.1 IP) and 4 quality starts in 6 outings for Missoula. Over parts of 3 seasons in the D-backs’ farm system, he has posted a 5-8 record and 4.80 ERA (56 ER in 105.0 IP) with 28 walks and 108 strikeouts in 27 career games (15 starts). Eichhorn was selected in the third round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft out of Aptos (Calif.) High School.

Robowski, 22, posted a 2-4 record and 5.17 ERA (31 ER in 54.0 IP) with 16 walks and 51 strikeouts in 35 relief appearances for Single-A Advanced Visalia in 2010. In 2 seasons in the D-backs’ farm system, he has a 5-7 record and 4.82 ERA (45 ER in 84.0 IP) with 22 walks and 74 strikeouts over 56 career relief outings. He was the D-backs’ 16th-round selection in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft out of Ohio Dominican University.

In a corresponding move to make room for Galarraga on the 40-man roster, the D-backs designated right-handed pitcher Rafael Rodriguez for assignment.

(PHOENIX) — The Arizona Diamondbacks announced today they have agreed to terms with infielder/outfielder Willie Bloomquist on a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2012 and right-handed pitcher Aaron Heilman on a one-year contract for 2011, according to D-backs’ Executive Vice President and General Manager Kevin Towers.

The D-backs also designated right-handed pitchers Brian Sweeney and Daniel Stange for assignment to assign Bloomquist and Heilman to the 40-man roster.

“Aaron Heilman was seeking an opportunity this offseason to become a starting pitcher and we were looking to acquire additional veteran depth to compete for a starting rotation spot,” Towers said. “Heilman will have a chance to compete for the fifth spot in our rotation this spring. Adding a veteran like Willie Bloomquist that can play anywhere on the field further diversifies our options off the bench this season, plus he is familiar to the Phoenix area after an All-American career at ASU.”

Bloomquist, 33, hit .267 (50-for-187) with 31 runs scored, 10 doubles, 1 triple, 3 home runs and 17 RBI in 83 games for the Kansas City Royals and Cincinnati Reds last season. In 72 games for the Royals, he batted .265 (45-for-170) with 31 runs scored, 10 doubles, 1 triple, 3 home runs and 17 RBI. He was traded to the Reds on Sept. 13 and hit .294 (5-for-17) in 11 games. Over parts of 9 seasons in the Majors with the Seattle Mariners, Royals and Reds, he has batted .264 (495-for-1,876) with 274 runs scored, 67 doubles, 15 triples, 13 home runs, 144 RBI and 104 stolen bases in 748 career games. The utility player has logged time defensively at seven positions, appearing in 37 games at first base, 106 at second base, 121 at third base, 150 at shortstop, 68 in left field, 124 in center field and 118 in right field. He had his best offensive season in 2009 with the Royals, setting career highs with 125 games, 434 at-bats, 52 runs scored, 115 hits, 8 triples, 4 home runs, 29 RBI, 27 walks and 25 stolen bases.

On Opening Day, Bloomquist will become the first Arizona State University baseball alumnus to play for the D-backs. Drafted by the Seattle Mariners as their third-round selection in the 1999 First-Year Player Draft, the former Sun Devils’ 3-year college career was highlighted by Pac-10 Player of the Year honors and First-Team All-American honors by Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball/Louisville Slugger and ABCA All-West District following his junior season in 1999. He was originally drafted by the Mariners in the eighth-round of the 1996 First-Year Player Draft out of South Kitsap (Port Orchard, Wash.) High School but accepted a scholarship to ASU.

Heilman, 32, posted a 5-8 record and 4.50 ERA (36 ER in 72.0 IP) with 26 walks and 55 strikeouts while also securing a career-high 6 saves in a team-high 70 games with the D-backs last season. He also had 8 consecutive scoreless outings (10.1 IP) from July 21-Aug. 6, the longest such streak for a D-backs reliever in 2010. Over parts of 8 Major League seasons with the New York Mets, Chicago Cubs and D-backs, Heilman owns a 31-45 record and 4.25 ERA (281 ER in 594.2 IP) with 245 walks and 515 strikeouts. Since 2006, he is the lone reliever in the Majors with five straight seasons of at least 70 appearances. Heilman posted a 5-13 record and 5.93 ERA (88 ER in 133.2 IP) with 66 walks and 106 strikeouts in 25 starts prior to being moved to the bullpen in 2005. Among all relievers since 2005, he ranks first with 459.1 innings pitched and tied for third with 419 appearances and 91 holds. Heilman was selected by the Mets in the first round of the 2001 First-Year Player Draft.

Rusty Ryal, who played for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2009 and 2010, has been sold to the Yomiuri Giants of the Nippon Professional Baseball League.

Sold. Such a harsh term, even when talking about major league (or in this case, former major league) baseball players.

Ryal has been part of the D-backs organization since he was drafted in the 14th round in 2005.

Here’s the official release from the Diamondbacks:

(PHOENIX) — The Arizona Diamondbacks announced today they have sold utility player Rusty Ryal to the Yomiuri Giants of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball League, according to D-backs’ Executive Vice President and General Manager Kevin Towers.

Ryal, 27, hit .261 (54-for-207) with 19 runs scored, 7 doubles, a triple, 3 home runs and 11 RBI in 104 games for the D-backs last season. Defensively, he played 36 games in left field, 24 at first base and 8 at third base. Over parts of two seasons in the Majors, he hit .263 (70-for-266) with 13 doubles, 3 triples, 6 home runs and 20 RBI in 134 games for the D-backs. In the field, he played 36 games in left field, 34 at first base, 13 at second base and 8 at third base. Ryal originally signed with the D-backs as their 14th-round selection in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft out of Oklahoma State University.

Ryal’s father, Mark, spent two seasons with the Chunichi Dragons during his 16-year professional career.

The Arizona Diamondbacks continued their offseason restructuring on Wednesday by signing free agent Xavier Nady to a one-year deal worth a reported $1.75 million.

Nady is expected to platoon in the outfield and at first base. Nady had played predominantly in the outfield over his last five seasons, but did start 48 games at first base with the Chicago Cubs in 2010.

Nady was originally drafted in the 2nd round of the 2000 Amateur Draft by the San Diego Padres, where he would make his debut that September, playing in one game for the Padres. Nady delivered a pinch-hit single in the 7th inning off of Dodgers’ reliever Onan Masaoka in a 10-2 loss on September 30th.

Nady would spend the next two full seasons in the San Diego minor league system, splitting time between Lake Elsinore (A) and Portland (AAA). Nady batted .292 with 49 homers and 180 runs batted in over the two seasons.

He spent most of the next three seasons with the big club in San Diego, hitting .263 in 269 games. In the offseason of 2005, Nady was shipped to the New York Mets in exchange for outfielder Mike Cameron. He’d last only 75 games with the Mets before being traded again, this time to Pittsburgh in July of 2006 in a deal that included Oliver Perez heading to the Mets (sorry, Mets fans).

Nady played his best baseball in Pittsburgh, hitting .301 over the next three seasons, but was traded again in the summer of 2008. This time it was back to New York, to the Yankees, along with relief pitcher Damaso Marte. Nady was part of the 2009 Yankees’ World Championship team, although he missed most of the season with an injury that limited him to just 7 games.

Prior to 2010, Nady signed a one-year deal with the Cubs, and hit .256 with 6 homers and 33 runs batted in during 119 contests.

(PHOENIX) — The Arizona Diamondbacks announced today they have agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher J.J. Putz on a two-year contract with a club option for 2013, according to D-backs’ Executive Vice President and General Manager Kevin Towers.

Putz, 33, went 7-5 with 3 saves and a 2.83 ERA (17 ER in 54.0 IP) in 60 games last season with the Chicago White Sox. He collected 65 strikeouts and finished tied for fourth among American League relievers with a 4.33 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He also finished tied for second in wins and fifth in strikeouts-per-9.0 innings (10.83) among AL relievers. Putz strung together a White Sox franchise-record 27 consecutive scoreless outings from May 14-July 28, while his 27.0 scoreless innings during that time was the 10th-longest streak in team history.

Over parts of eight seasons in the Majors with the Seattle Mariners, New York Mets and White Sox, he posted a 30-24 record and 3.19 ERA (144 ER in 406.1 IP) with 106 saves, 138 walks and 421 strikeouts in 397 relief appearances. In 2007, Putz became just the 12th closer in Major League history (14th overall) to record more saves (40) than hits allowed (37) en route to being named the Mariners Most Valuable Player by the Seattle Chapter of the BBWAA. He also became the first Mariners pitcher to win the AL Rolaids Relief Man Award. Putz ranked fifth among all big league relievers (third in the AL) with 76 saves from 2006-07, including a stretch of 31 consecutive saves from Sept. 30, 2006-July 20, 2007. He also ranked third among AL relievers with 204 games played from 2005-07. Putz was selected by the Mariners in the sixth round of the 1999 First-Year Player Draft.

As the Arizona Diamondbacks started trading veterans late in July, in the aftermath of the firings of A.J. Hinch and Josh Byrnes, it was clear that a rebuilding project was starting. The model most pointed to was that of the San Diego Padres, who managed to turn things around with young pitching and a good bullpen. After the moves the D-Backs made yesterday they are no longer following the model, they are the model.

The 2011 D-Backs will resemble the 2008-10 editions of the San Diego Padres, almost exactly.

It starts with their GM, Kevin Towers, who held the same position with the Padres. Yup, we should have seen this coming. Let’s review the moves Towers has made so far:

• Claiming RHP Brian Sweeney off waivers
• Signing IF Geoff Blum
• Trading for 1B Juan Miranda
• Claiming RHP Juan Jaime off waivers
• Trading for RHP Zach Duke
• Trading 3B Mark Reynolds for RHPs David Hernandez and Kam Mickolio.
• Signing 3B Mevlin Mora
• Signing RHP J.J. Putz

Towers has jettisoned two middle-of-the-order guys in Adam LaRoche and Mark Reynolds, replacing with light-hitting veterans Blum and Mora, as well as the light-hitting rookie Miranda. He added Putz to close and Hernandez and Mickolio to pitch in the late innings of games (Mickolio probably will spend time in the minors first). He turned to the scrap heap (the waiver wire, if you want a more politically correct term) to fill out his rotation and the back end of his bullpen.

The 2011 Arizona Diamondbacks now consist of a rather bland collection of light-hitting position players (save Upton and Chris Young) and lot of young (and somewhat unproven) power-pitching. One would think the Padres would have the legal case for copyright infringement – the D-Backs have copied every aspect of their organization.

For good measure, the Padres have hired Josh Byrnes and AJ Hinch. I have no clue what the hell is going on between these two franchises. I don’t think the rest of baseball cares, either.

The D-Backs could still make some moves that deviate from the Padres gameplan. They are still rumored to sign Paul Konerko, which would be very un-Padre like. That move is unlikely, however, meaning that we know what to expect out of the 2011 D-Backs. Probably a season like the 2009 Padres had (75-87) or, best case scenario, a season like the 2010 Padres had (90-72).

One thing is for sure, there will be a lot less Tacos.

Reynolds had just clubbed 44 homers (2nd highest total in franchise history), drove in 102 runs, and stolen 24 bases. Oh yeah, he did all that while striking out a major league record 223 times.

But his batting average was .260 and his defense vastly improved, meaning that the Diamondbacks felt that they could live with 200+ strikeouts.

Not only that, but Reynolds had been vocal in the clubhouse in 2009, keeping teammates accountable for their poor play and also being critical of himself during a season in which the D-backs finished 25 games out of first place. It looked like Reynolds would become a productive leader for the Diamondbacks for years to come. The organization committed a 3-year, $14.5 million contract to Reynolds.

And then, 2010 happened.

Reynolds’ batting average plummeted to under .200 while he again struck out more than 200 times. His on-base percentage dropped 29 points and his slugging average fell off the table from .543 in ’09 to .433 last year.

Reynolds proved his toughness by playing through injuries late in the season, in meaningless games, even though his statistics were going in the tank–we may never see a player have a strikeout total higher than his own batting average ever again.

But now, it’s no longer Arizona’s problem. At his introductory press conference in October, new GM Kevin Towers talked about how this team struck out entirely too much to be a successful offense. And, true to his word, he’s taken care of a big part of the problem..

First baseman Adam LaRoche (172 strikeouts) was not offered arbitration by the team. And today, Reynolds has been traded to the Baltimore Orioles for relief pitchers David Hernandez and Kameron Mickolio.

The Diamondbacks have also reportedly signed veteran Melvin Mora to fill the gap at third base.

About the Reynolds deal, I’m kind of torn. I like Mark Reynolds a lot. I earlier mentioned his toughness, and I’ll miss watching his 400+ foot home runs sail over fences around the National League. I love the fact that he worked hard enough to improve his defense, which was atrocious in 2007 and 2008 (45 errors). But the deal makes sense for the Diamondbacks. Reynolds wasn’t making any progress at the plate. His strikeout percentage has risen in each of his four big league seasons.

It would have been nice to see Reynolds finally work with a big-league caliber hitting coach in Don Baylor, who during his career as a feared power hitter, only struck out 100 or more times once in 19 MLB seasons. But it turns out, it just wasn’t worth the time anymore. The Reynolds project is now the worry of former Diamondback manager Buck Showalter and hitting coach Jim Presley, who are now in Baltimore.

Mora, who will be 39 on opening day, is a capable one-year stop-gap for the D-Backs. And in acquiring Hernandez and Mickolio, two hard-throwing right handers, the D-backs are well on their way to rebuilding their biggest weakness over the last two seasons–their bullpen.

(PHOENIX) — The Arizona Diamondbacks announced today they have acquired left-handed pitcher Zach Duke from the Pittsburgh Pirates for a player to be named later, according to D-backs’ Executive Vice President & General Manager Kevin Towers.

Duke, 27, compiled a 45-70 record and 4.54 ERA (486 ER in 964.1 IP) with 263 walks and 505 strikeouts over parts of six seasons with the Pirates from 2005-10. He garnered National League Rookie of the Month honors twice during the 2005 season while also leading NL rookies with a 1.81 ERA (17 ER in 84.2 IP) and tying for third with 8 wins. The left-hander posted an 8-15 record and 5.72 ERA (101 ER in 159.0 IP) with 51 walks and 96 strikeouts in 29 starts while making his second Opening Day start with the Pirates in 2010. Duke led Pirates pitchers with 5 wins and 15 starts after the All-Star break last season and leads all pitchers in the 10-year history of PNC Park with a 31-31 record in 81 starts.

Duke was named to his first All-Star Game in 2009 and went on to win a career-high 11 games, while tying for third in the NL with 3 complete games. He was selected by the Pirates in the 20th round of the 2001 First-Year Player Draft.

The move brings the D-backs’ 40-man roster to 40 players.

(PHOENIX) — The Arizona Diamondbacks announced today they have acquired infielder Juan Miranda from the New York Yankees for right-handed pitcher Scott Allen, according to D-backs’ Executive Vice President and General Manager Kevin Towers.

Miranda, 27, owns a .253 average (21-for-83) with 11 runs scored, 3 doubles, a triple, 4 home runs and 14 RBI in 46 games over parts of three seasons with the Yankees. He hit .219 (14-for-64) with 7 runs scored, 2 doubles, a triple, 3 home runs and 10 RBI in 33 games with the big league club this season. In 80 games with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season, Miranda batted .285 (84-for-295) with 52 runs scored, 15 doubles, a triple, 15 home runs and 43 RBI. Over parts of four seasons in the Yankees farm system, he owns a .281 average (431-for-1535) with 230 runs scored, 101 doubles, 8 triples, 62 home runs and 273 RBI in 423 games. Miranda was signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on Dec. 22, 2006.

Allen, 19, compiled a 5-4 record and 3.95 ERA (42 ER in 95.2 IP) with 29 walks and 95 strikeouts over 28 games (16 starts) over parts of two seasons in the D-backs organization. He posted a 4-4 record and 4.73 ERA (41 ER in 78.0 IP) with 22 walks and 79 strikeouts in 16 starts with Single-A South Bend this season. Allen was selected by the D-backs in the 11th round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft.

The former first overall draft pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks just finished up his fourth major league season. Upton hit 17 homers and drove in 69 runs while hitting .273 in 133 games for the D-backs in 2010. For his career, he’s got 60 home runs, a .272 career average, and an All-Star Game appearance to his credit. And, he’s still only 23 years old.

So, you might find it interesting that the D-backs are listening to trade offers for the outfielder–most notably there’s trade rumors coming out of Boston stating that the Red Sox are interested in J-Up.

These rumors have been thrown around on Twitter and they seem to stem from the fact that Kevin Towers was quoted as saying that he’s “open to listening on anyone” and that Justin Upton and Stephen Drew have drawn the most interest. This sounds like a typical GM speak, Towers is saying that everyone has their price. In fact, the current quoted price for Upton is “everything.”

This is probably a non-story right now, but this is the current age of always on-media, so it is time to comment.

When a team has hit rock-bottom like the D-Backs have, almost every scenario is probably going to be on the table. New GM Kevin Towers clearly doesn’t like the image of this team. Who would? They can’t hit, can’t pitch, can’t defend. With a limited payroll and their best minor league players a few years away, the D-Backs aren’t in a position to win right away – something Towers says he wants to do. It makes sense that Towers might be considering dangling his trump card, Upton.

Upton struggled last year, but he still may contain the most potential of any player in baseball. Considering he has a manageable contract over the next five years, the asking price for Upton would have to be so high that it would be ludicrous for any team make a deal for him. Let’s say, for the sake of argument, that a team steps to the table and offers the D-Backs a jaw-dropping package that includes lots of young, major-league ready talent that can help the team compete right away. I don’t even want to attempt to quantify who or what that might be, let’s just say it happens. Let’s say after this trade was made the general consensus would be “I can’t believe Arizona traded away Justin Upton, but I also can’t believe how much they got in return.”

Would that be worth it?

Coming out of the draft, Justin Upton was considered a once-in-a-generation talent. Upton has displayed flashes, including his excellent 2009 season, but there is a sour taste lingering in everyone’s mouth after his subpar year in 2010. He is still striking out at a high rate and still makes too many mental errors on defense.

Still, would we really want to cut the cord that quickly? Upton has what it takes to become a Josh Hamilton-type hitter. He also manages to steal about 20 bases per year and possess one of the best arms in baseball (although he still has no clue how to use it).

I would rather hope that a competent coaching staff and natural maturity would turn Upton into everything we think he could be, rather than trade him for even the gaudiest of packages. Organizations can spend decades trying to acquire a talent like Upton, it would be a monstrous risk to trade him.

Plus, what would become of Uptown?

(PHOENIX) — The Arizona Diamondbacks announced today they have agreed to terms with infielder Geoff Blum on a two-year contract, according to D-backs’ Executive Vice President and General Manager Kevin Towers.

Blum, 37, hit .267 (54-for-202) with 22 runs scored, 10 doubles, a triple, 2 home runs and 22 RBI in 93 games for the Houston Astros last season. As a pinch-hitter, he hit .333 (14-for-42), which tied for fourth in the National League along with his 11 pinch-hit RBI. His 14 pinch-hits were tied for seventh in the league despite accumulating just 42 pinch-hit at-bats. He compiled a .974 fielding percentage after appearing in 53 games (42 starts) between all four infield positions.

“The signing of Geoff Blum is the first step in identifying how we can improve Kirk Gibson’s options off the bench next season,” Towers said. “Geoff is a veteran that can play nearly every position on the field while also having the experience of contributing to key situations late in the game as a pinch-hitter off of the bench.”

Over parts of 12 seasons in the Majors with the Montreal Expos, Tampa Bay Rays, San Diego Padres, Chicago White Sox and Astros, Blum posted a .251 average (975-for-3,889) with 437 runs scored, 203 doubles, 15 triples, 97 home runs, 468 RBI, 325 walks and 19 stolen bases in 1,349 games. Since 2006, Blum ranks sixth in the National League with 43 pinch-hits and a .297 pinch-hit average, while his 59 pinch-hits since 2000 rank 10th among all Major League hitters. He owns a .977 career fielding percentage, making a majority of his appearances (657 games) at third base. Since July 26, 2008, he has committed just 4 errors at third base and leads all big league third basemen with a .989 fielding percentage in that same time frame. Blum appeared at all four infield positions in nine straight seasons from 2000-08 and has made an appearance at every position except catcher, pitcher and centerfield in his career.

The two-time All-Star who has battled injuries for years, chose to make a comeback in 2010–as a reliever. In 10 games (4.1 innings) as a lefty specialist with the Diamondbacks, Hampton allowed just three hits and didn’t allow any runs.

So now, he’s a free agent looking for suitors this offseason. But SI’s Jon Heyman says that teams should be careful before they ink Hampton to a deal.

87 wins.

One Cy Young Award.

Three top five Cy Young voting finishes.

70 pitches thrown in the last two seasons.

Those are just some of the accomplishments of one Brandon Webb, the former 8th round pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks ten years ago, who today became a free agent.

Webb is second on Arizona’s all-time list in victories (behind only Randy Johnson) with 87. He led the National League in wins twice (2006, 2008), and led the Diamondbacks’ to their 4th NL West championship in 2007, when he finished second in the Cy Young Award voting.

Webb, of course, was injured on opening day of 2009, and hasn’t pitched in a game since, despite the Diamondbacks’ organization picking up an $8.5 million option on his contract last off-season. Oops.

So with the end of Webb’s stay in Arizona, members of the Diamondbacks’ organization have issued statements on his upcoming test of the free agent market and his time in the desert. By the way, only GM Kevin Towers mentions Webb’s return as a possibility.

Diamondbacks’ Managing General Partner Ken Kendrick

Brandon has made significant contributions to the D-backs’ organization both on and off the field since we drafted him 10 years ago. He and Randy Johnson top nearly every pitching category among our franchise’s all-time leaders and are the only two D-backs to win a Cy Young Award. Brandon also gave his time and resources to the local community through his K Foundation, which means a great deal to me.

Diamondbacks’ President and CEO Derrick Hall

I certainly understand Brandon’s decision to test the free agent market and I wish him well. He has meant so much to this franchise and provided this team and our fans with magical memories. His contributions both on and off the field are greatly appreciated and should be recognized. His wife and children have been beautiful additions to our D-backs family and we will always consider them members of it.

Diamondbacks General Manager Kevin Towers

Although we have not entirely closed the door on Brandon returning to the D-backs next season, I understand the process he and his agent are going through at this time as a free agent. Brandon was one of the elite pitchers in the National League and a leader on D-backs’ pitching staffs until suffering the injury two years ago. We wish him continued success as he goes through this process.

There are rumors that he will. Konerko hit .312 with 39 home runs and 111 runs batted in for the Chicago White Sox in 2009.

(PHOENIX) — The Arizona Diamondbacks announced today they have named Alan Trammell as bench coach, Don Baylor as hitting coach, Eric Young as first base coach and Charles Nagy as pitching coach for the 2011 season under manager Kirk Gibson, according to D-backs’ Executive Vice President and General Manager Kevin Towers.

“I am really excited about the experience we added to Kirk Gibson’s coaching staff for next season,” Towers said. “The four coaches we added were all All-Stars during long and successful playing careers and will be great leaders for our players to work with. You can’t go wrong by adding the previous managerial and coaching experience Alan Trammell and Don Baylor bring to the staff. Although this is the first time Eric Young and Charles Nagy will be on a Major League coaching staff, both were successful during minor league coaching stints and were great veterans during the playing career.”

Trammell, 52, was the bench coach for the Chicago Cubs the past four seasons (2007-10) after managing the Detroit Tigers for three seasons (2003-05), when Gibson served as his bench coach with the Tigers. He also served as the first base coach for the San Diego Padres from 2000-02 after one season as the Tigers hitting coach in 1999.

Trammell, who was the Tigers’ second-round selection in the 1976 First-Year Player Draft, hit .285 with 185 home runs and 1,003 RBI during his 20-year playing career with the Tigers, which included six All-Star game selections, four Gold Glove Awards and three Silver Slugger Awards as the top offensive shortstop. He made his debut in 1977 at the age of 19 and ended his career in the Top 10 in many of Detroit’s offensive categories, including games played (2,293, fifth) hits (2,365, seventh), doubles (412, sixth), RBI (10th) and stolen bases (236, fifth). He and teammate Lou Whitaker hold the American League record after combining to play 1,918 games together at shortstop and second base.

Trammell finished second in the American League Most Valuable Player Award voting in 1987 after posting career bests with a .343 batting average, 205 hits, 28 home runs and 105 RBI as the Tigers won the American League East Division Title. He was named Most Valuable Player during the 1984 World Series after batting .450 (9-for-20) with 2 home runs and 6 RBI as the Tigers defeated the Padres in 5 games. Trammell and Gibson were teammates on the Tigers for 12 seasons from 1979-87 and 1993-95.

Baylor, 61, was the hitting coach for the Colorado Rockies for the past two seasons (2009-10) after serving as manager of the Rockies from 1993-98 and Cubs from 2000-02. He was the bench coach for the New York Mets from 2003-04, while holding the hitting coach title with the Milwaukee Brewers (1990-91), St. Louis Cardinals (1992), Atlanta Braves (1999) and Seattle Mariners (2005). He was named the first Rockies manager on Oct. 27, 1992 and garnered Manager of the Year honors from the BBWAA and The Sporting News in 1995 after the Rockies won the National League Wild Card and earned its first postseason berth in franchise history. In 1999, he was named the 46th manager of the Cubs and earned his 500th career managerial victory on Sept. 12, 2000.

Baylor, who was the Baltimore Orioles’ second-round selection in the 1967 First-Year Player Draft, hit .260 with 338 home runs and 1,276 RBI during his distinguished 19-year Major League playing career with the Orioles, Oakland A’s, California Angels, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins. Baylor earned American League Most Valuable Player honors in 1979 with the Angels after hitting .296 with 36 home runs and leading the league with 120 runs scored and 139 RBI. He made three consecutive trips to the World Series from 1986-88 and was part of seven division titles with five different teams. Baylor, who is one of 18 players in history to collect at least 250 home runs and 250 stolen bases, also holds the American League record after being hit by 267 pitches over the course of his career.

Young, 43, served as a roving minor league instructor for the Houston Astros this past season, focusing on outfield play and baserunning, and was an in-studio analyst on ESPN’s “Baseball Tonight” from 2007-09.

Young, who was the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 43rd-round selection in the 1989 First-Year Player Draft, hit .283 with 79 home runs, 543 RBI and 465 stolen bases during his 15-year Major League playing career with the Dodgers, Rockies, Cubs, Brewers, San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers and Padres. He played in two National League Division Series in his career and was named a National League All-Star in 1996 with the Rockies after leading the league with 53 stolen bases. Young also received the Silver Slugger award for second basemen in 1996 after batting .324 with 8 home runs and 74 RBI. He reached the 40-steal mark six times in his career and was second in stolen bases among all Major League players behind Kenny Lofton (597) during his career from 1992-2006.

Nagy, 43, was the pitching coach for Triple-A Columbus of the Cleveland Indians organization this past season. He also served as the pitching coach for Triple-A Salt Lake of the Angels organization from 2006-07. Prior to that, he served as a Special Assistant to Baseball Operations for the Indians from 2004-05.

Nagy, who was the Indians’ first-round selection in the 1988 First-Year Player Draft, went 129-105 with a 4.51 ERA and 1,242 strikeouts during his 14-year Major League playing career with the Indians and Padres. A three-time American League All-Star, Nagy was part of six AL Central Division titles in his 13 years with the Indians and was inducted into the Indians Hall of Fame in 2007. He was the starting pitcher for the AL in the 1996 All-Star Game in Philadelphia and finished fourth in the AL Cy Young Award voting that same season. Nagy posted six 15-win seasons over the course of his career, including a career-best 17 wins three times. He ranks sixth on the Indians all-time career pitching list with 297 starts and 1,235 strikeouts and 10th with 129 career victories. Nagy was also a member of the 1988 United States Olympic Team that won the gold medal in Seoul, South Korea.

Trammell, Baylor, Young and Nagy join a coaching staff that features third base coach Matt Williams and bullpen coach Glenn Sherlock.

Young played 15 years in the big leagues, racking up 1,731 career hits while hitting .283 for the Dodgers, Rockies, Cubs, Brewers, Giants, Rangers and Padres–or about half the teams that make up the Cactus League.

He was an All-Star in 1996 when he led the National League with 53 stolen bases for the Rockies. Young retired in 2006, just three years before his son Eric Young, Jr. broke into the bigs with Colorado.

Byrnes served as GM for Arizona from November 2005 to July 2010, and helped the Diamondbacks win the 2007 National League West title.