Trot Nixon was traded in the this weekend to the Mets for a player to be named later (Johan?) OR cash. The Mets have had little to no corner outfield production this year and Trot was hitting .300+ in hitter friendly Tuscon. The Mets activated him right away and there's a good chance he'll be in the starting lineup today.

http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080613&content_id=2908275&vkey=news_ari&fext=.jsp&c_id=ari

I was just bored and thinking about our current personnel. We have 8 solid major league starters at every position all of which will probably be coming with a hefty contract someday. My question is who do you think will be gone first. Obviously O-Dawg is more than likely gone and EB will be done after 2011, so that leaves let's say 7 players that we'd love to see stay but will potentially not be with us within 5 years: Drew, Reynolds, CoJack, Upton, Young, Micah, Snyder, Miggy, Tracy (yeah I know that's 9, I kept coming up with names). Who's gone in the near future who stays? This is kind of a depressing thought process I'm asking of you, but it's a good off day discussion.

In my opinion I don't see Drew sticking around too long. He's played great but he'll more than likely be asking for much more money than we're willing to pay, plus he's very low on the list of priorities. I hate to say it but after his contract is up I don't think Drew will be with us any longer.

If we do not resign Hudson what would we do at second base? Would it end up being Benafacio's job to lose or do we give Jamie D'Antona a chance to switch over from third and have a go at it. He's hitting really really well for the Sidewinders right now. What do you all think? Can D'Antona make the switch? I think it would make a very interesting spring. extra word

So I came up with this crazy idea to compare our players to the numbers they are putting up in fantasy leagues across the internet. I will mostly be using the point totals from MLB.com’s league, just because it is easier to judge by their scoring system. I’m going to run down the hitting point getters real quick to help you learn what these points mean. So here it goes….

Single = 1
Double = 2
Triple = 3
Home Run = 4
Run = 1
RBI = 1
Walk = 1
Stolen Base = 2
Caught Stealing = -1

OF

Chris Young- It is a bit shocking to see CY doing so well in the fantasy world when he is struggling so mightily in the real world. I mean the guy is hitting a meager .213 BUT he does have 5 HR, 17 runs scored, 3 SB and 10 RBIs. So although the hit total is meager his slugging percentage and increased number of walks (14) has kept him near the top of the scoring board. As of today (April 24) he has scored 83 points. That is enough to have him weighing in as the 16th best OF option in the league right now. It is a bit worrisome to be facing him when he does get that BA up. But, until then he’ll have a place in most starting lineups do to his increased discipline at the plate.

Justin Upton- Now Upton to start the year was a late round draft pick in most leagues. Everyone knew of his potential upside, but no one expected to see it immediately. He is hitting at the mark of .375 with 5 HR, 12 runs scored, 13 RBIs, and 7 walks. What is keeping him in the starting lineup is that BA, the kid is on base constantly and that gives enough RBI and R potential to keep him in there. There is no doubt that everyone is happy with his real life performance as well as his fantasy performance. He’s scored 84 points, enough to tie Manny Ramirez for 14th best OF option so far.

Eric Byrnes- Here’s a shocker. Yeah he’s performing pretty well in the real world. He’s hitting .287, with 3 HR, 16 runs, 14 RBI and 10 walks but that doesn’t seem like it would be translating in the fantasy world as he’s not making big plays, but it does. Are you ready for this? Captain America is doing well enough to the 6th best OF in the game right now. Shocking isn’t it. Somehow it all adds up to a solid 89 point total.

Notes- The outfield is outperforming every other team in the league right now. The only other team to have more than one player ranked ahead of our worst OF (CY) is Boston. They have Manny and Ellsbury ranked 14th and 9th respectively. Many teams don’t have a single OF ranked higher than our 3. That is as impressive as it gets. Does that mean we have the best OF in the league? No. It does mean however that the potential to claim that moniker is there.

C- Needless to say this is where our team is floundering a bit. Chris Snyder has just not been able to find the rhythm that he had in Spring Training. Snyder has lacked enough hitting that he ranks as the 16th best fantasy catcher so far (43 points). He’s hitting a melancholy .204 with 0 HR, 10 walks, 10 RBI and 6 runs scored. Now he has seen a little life come back to his bat in the past few nights and most catchers are sitting around a score of 50, so one big night would be all he needs to move himself into the top 10.

1B- Another pleasant surprise here. Connor Jackson is just on fire right now, and in the fantasy world he is just now starting to turn heads. He’s hitting .359, with 19 runs scored, 3 HR, 17 RBIs, 9 walks and most surprising a stolen base. He’s good for 90 points through the first 3 ½ weeks. That sets him at 4th place among all major league 1B; a mere 9 points behind Albert Pujols who is walking at a ridiculous pace (20). Expect him to come down to earth a bit, but so will everyone ahead of him. CoJack is looking to be a premiere 1B option this season.

2B- The Orlando Hudson or O-Dawg to most of you. Mr. Dawg is coming in at 8th on the fantasy charts this time around. His stats don’t look great .262 BA along with 12 runs, 3 HR, 13 RBIs and 6 walks, but he’s a respectable 73 points but not anywhere near the top of the charts because of Chase Utley’s (126 points) ridiculous hot streak. O-Dawg will probably not catch him anytime soon but a big game could drop in the top 5 quite easily. 2nd place is within grasp as Dustin Pedroia has only 85 points.

SS- Mr. Stephen Drew has done an OK job fantasy wise at SS. It hasn’t been anything amazing. He’s hitting .284, 12 runs, 3 HR, 8 RBI, and 6 BB. That is good enough to put him 13th on the short list of SS’s in the league. He’s score 64 points which is just behind Michael Young yet still ahead of names like Troy Tulowitzki (48) and Orlando Cabrera (60). Tops in the category are Hanley Ramirez (110) and Rafael Furcal (106).

3B- Mark Reynolds who has slowed a bit in the last week or so still finds himself tied for 2nd of the list of fantasy 3B. He’s hitting nearly identical to Cubs 3B Aramis Ramirez. Both have a .288 average with 6 HR and 20 runs scored. A-Ram has 16 RBI to Reynolds’ 19, and Mark has 12 walks and 1 SB compared to Ramirez’s 13 BB and 1 CS. 6 points separate Iron Man from the top (David Wright) of the fantasy world.

Pitching- The pitching staff is the premiere staff so far not only in fantasy but in the real world as well. A 3.10 ERA, with 15 wins, given up 64 ER, 157 H, 69 BB, and struck out 151 is good enough for 247 points. That’s pretty good isn’t it? Damn straight the second place Oakland A’s (who happen to be pitching 2 former DBacks) have a mark of 202. The staff has been dominant so far and you would do good to ride them the rest of the year.

So there you go. That is hopefully just the first installment of a series of comparisons if the response goes well. So tell me what's good, what's bad or if this idea just needs scrapped overall.

I was just watching ESPN and a commercial for the upcoming SportsCenter came on. The quick flash at the episode was and I quote, "Coming up, are the Cubs the team to beat in the National League?". Talk about a laughable. The DBacks going into today are the league leaders in RBIs, 3B, Total Bases, SLG %, ERA, Ws, and we place in the top 5 in nearly every other major hitting AND pitching category. Doesn't that make us the team to beat? How are the Cubs the team to beat?

I'm thinking about putting considerable money (80 cents) on the DBacks today. Am I too confident about tonights game? Someone tell me I'm a smart man or a complete idiot. Talk me down from the ledge or encourage me to climb higher. I don't have the confidence to do this on my own. Help me out here. This is a must have bragging rights bet, if this tanks then life will go on but I'll feel like an idiot for a day or two. Any comments pro or con would help me in my decision.

Eric "Captain America" Byrnes, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks: Byrnes was known by this colorful, animated nickname when starring for the Licey Tigers in the Dominican winter leagues, and it's perfect to describe his all-out, hair-on-fire style of play. But somehow the name hasn't been brought back to the States, where he's tragically known as "Byrnsie." D-backs fans, you have the power to change this.

http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/news/article_entertainment.jsp?ymd=20080417&content_id=2541862&vkey=entertainment&fext=.jsp

Doug Miller is right. I know we've tried to find a new nickname for EB but I don't believe that we had a solid list of suggestions. I move that we call EB, Captain America until something better arises. Suggestions? Critiques?

The Diamondbacks made a move to shore up their lack of numbers and lefties in the bullpen.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/04/dbacks-acquire.html

The DBacks made a deal with the Reds yesterday to send 23 year old Daniel Perales to Cinci for the 27 year old lefty Jon Coutlangus. This should cover an obvious problem of arm overuse that we've seen in the first 7 games. This puts another reliable arm in the bullpen that should give some of the Horsemen a break from time to time.

a knock off version of MLB.TV? I've been combing the internet for the last week or so and with a little elbow grease one can usually find at least free radio for professional games. I can't find anything. Has the MLB done that well of monopolizing the internet media. Can anyone help me?

I'd just like to let everyone know that the fantastic blogsite that I was starting with a friend, has already died. So I regret to inform you that Locally Televised is going to a better place. My friend and co-conspirator decided he didn't care after about 2 weeks. I can't handle all of those 20 teams myself. In fact the only team I care about that much is your AZ Diamondbacks, and we all know there is already a kick ass website designated to that very subject. So I appreciate anyone who checked the thing out but it is no more.  

Diamondbacks had an open workout for Trot Nixon today. What do you guys think about the veteran lefty off of the bench. Is he washed up? Maybe. But I bet he still is a respectable guy off the bench. Plus he is able to bring a good quality presence in the locker room. He has always been a fan favorite in Boston and that is a hard thing to be consistently. I think we should give him a shot until Chad gets back and then we can go from there. Thoughts?

Luis lands in Miami in his search for playing time. What does that mean for Josh Willingham? I'm not sure of all places Luis doesn't retire instead.

One-line diaries are prohibited on AZ Snakepit. Give your diary a bit more thought, then give it another shot. If you have nothing to add to your proposed diary, then it probably belongs as a comment under another appropriate thread.

The minimum is 300 characters.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/john_donovan/01/30/donovan.santana/index.html?eref=si_ mlb

Really?!?! Does anyone besides Donovon that the Mets are the best team in the NL just because of Santana? They have not been aging well the last few years and who is to think that they will suddenly become so much more improved from last year. They added one starter and lost another. I don't think that the Mets are the highly touted team that John believes that they are. We'll have to wait and see.

Hey everyone, I'd just like to invite you all over my way at a blog I've just started up with a good friend of mine. It's centered around baseball, but not just the DBacks. Me being the rabid AZ fan that I am and him being the poor down and out Pittsburgh Pirates entire fandom, we've decided to dedicate a blog to "the other guys". This blog focuses on the teams that don't get the attention from ESPN and TBS. We are all about the small markets. We will attempt to cover most of the other teams all while attempting to stay objective. We also like to make jokes so we intend to be funny as well. So anyway, I invite you all to swing on by and check us out, maybe even throw a few suggestions our way. http://locallytelevised.blogspot.com/

Sorry Jim, for the shameless advertising. It won't happen again I swear. ;-)

My Colts just lost a heart breaker, where Peyton Manning did everything right and the Colts defense did everything wrong. The Chargers much like their fans (I think we all know about SD fans) are little bitches.

Someone please, PLEASE, tell me all about how good the Diamondbacks are. I'm turning to you guys in my time of need. Don't fail me now.

Alright, I've finished my baseball sabatical. Although I've been cheating and lurking for the last 3 weeks or so. GM Meetings Monday, Hot Stove all winter.

Kenny Rogers re-upped with the Tigers, signing a 2008 contract the 43-year-old left-hander had negotiated on his own.

Shortstop Cesar Izturis, late of the Pirates, agreed to a one-year deal with St. Louis, perhaps ending the Cardinals' interest in re-signing David Eckstein, also a free agent.

Troy Percival, who earned 316 of his 324 career saves under coach Joe Maddon's watch with the Angels, reunited with the man now managing in Tampa Bay by signing a two-year deal with the Rays.

The Brewers, who had also courted Percival, instead were reportedly close to a three-year deal with reliever David Riske. "We're getting close. We're hopeful of doing a deal," GM Doug Melvin told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Another NL Central hopeful, the Astros, spent the day on the verge of announcing their reported three-year, $15 million deal with free-agent second baseman Kazuo Matsui.

The Mets and Nationals, meanwhile, added new faces the old-fashioned way, with New York sending outfield prospect Lastings Milledge to Washington in exchange for outfielder Ryan Church and catcher Brian Schneider.

And much much more!!!!

Ready GO!!!!!!!

I'm writing an article on "The No Name and No Face Diamondbacks" for my school paper. I need stats for the article and something to tell all the East coast kids that have no idea who the diamondbacks are or for a matter of fact where Arizona is located. Would appreciate any stats or information that you find interesting or important. ____________________________________________________ Everyone I appreciate your help this is what I've got. Mind you this won't make the paper if we don't make the WS but this is a preemptive strike to get myself published :) P.S. - haven't proofread everything yet make sure my stats are true or critique what you must. ---------------------------------------------------- Who are the Arizona Diamondbacks? By: Adam Johnson The Arizona Diamondbacks, who are they and where did they come from? Wasn’t that the team that was outscored this year by twenty runs and still made the playoffs by winning ninety games? Yes, the Diamondbacks were outscored by twenty runs and were still the best team in the National League this year. Many wonder how this is possible and who do they have playing for them that put up the numbers necessary for them to win the National League. The answer to that question is everyone. Even though the Diamondbacks had the worst batting average in the National League they still finished first in the league. That is only the second time that has happened in the history of the game. They accomplished this through having a solid lineup one through nine. No position player hit higher than .300 on the season. The Diamondbacks are the only team in the Major Leagues to have at least ten home runs from all nine positions in their line up. In fact their pitcher’s spot in the lineup hit more home runs than their third hitter, a traditional power spot in most line ups. Their leading home run hitter was rookie and lead off hitter Chris Young who hit thirty-two home runs and stole twenty-seven bases. He fell three stolen bases short of becoming the first rookie ever to hit thirty home runs and steal thirty bases. The Diamondbacks are the third youngest team in baseball with only the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Florida Marlins having a lower average. Three players on the roster were called up directly from Double A this year. Right fielder Justin Upton is only twenty years old and in only his fourth major league start fell a single short of the cycle. Third baseman Mark Reynolds (24) leads the team in on base percentage plus slugging percentage (OPS) with a .843 mark, followed closely by first baseman Connor Jackson (25) with a .836. The old men of the team have contributed just as much. Eric Byrnes (31) had fifty-one stolen bases and second baseman Orlando Hudson (30) led the team in batting average even though he was injured for the last two weeks of the season. Hitting is the weak point of this team yet someone always steps into the role of hero. The pitching department behind Brandon Webb (28) is much better this year than in years past. Webb posted the second best earned run average in the National League and the fourth most strikeouts. With the injury of Randy Johnson half way into the season Micah Owings (25) stepped into the role of the fourth man in the rotation. Owings had the best year as a hitter a pitcher has had since Babe Ruth. He finished the season with a .333 batting average, four home runs, nine runs scored and fifteen runs batted in. Doug Davis and Livan Hernandez are the two pitchers that round out the rotation. The bullpen was the mainstay of the team this year. Closer Jose Valverde (28) led the league in saves and attempts. Tony Pena (25) and Brandon Lyon (27) established themselves as some of the best setup men in the league. The Diamondbacks lived and died by their bullpen. One would ask if their hitting is so bad how could they win in the playoffs. The answer is quite abstract. Mark Reynolds explained it as "All year all of us young guys were kind of thrown in the middle of this. We really don’t know what’s going on. We just go out there and do what we do, that’s play ball." It can’t be said much better than that. Though they are young they have the ability to make some bigger splashes in the World Series. Don’t be surprised if you see the Arizona Diamondbacks give the (insert team here) a run for their money. Oh and Jim if you see this I'm not sure how to clean up how it looks so if you could do me the favor :-)

I need help yankee hating! any suggestions? I need a picture that I can draw on a dry erase board to post in my dorm hallway.

brought up in another diary. Curious to how all of you became Diamondbacks fans. We are very geographically diverse. I want to here what brought you the the D-backs. Was it a player? Their "unique" colors of green and purple?

Andy Benes- RHP

grew up down the road and went to University of Evansville. In the expansion draft in '98 he went to the D-Backs. Back then I was a player guy not so much of a team guy. So I went to 'Zona with him. By the time we sent him back to St. Louis I had discovered a man named Randy Johnson. nuff said

Patriots punishment... not enough? too much? For those of you who don't know the New England Patriots were caught videotaping and stealing other teams signals on the sidelines. They have been accused of this in the past but last Sunday they got caught red handed. What do you guys think about it. Does this damage their legacy as a franchise? How many of those wins in the past were tainted by cheating? Does Bill Belicheat and Shady Brady (see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EU1O-hGxgg) lose a little respect from this?

Just curious on who's what on the recent poll. I'm a Jarrod Parker. I'm curious how old everyone else is. I've got ideas of most of your ages but I'm curious how good I am at stereotyping by reading your comments.

I got really really bored today. So, I redid the Snyderman song in an attempt to make it run more smoothly. The first one is the original and the second post is my new revamped version. I'd be glad to here your criticism.

Snyderman, Snyderman
Does whatever a Snyder can.
Catches Webb, calls the signs
Nails base-thieves, just like flies.
Look out! Here comes the Snyderman.

Is he strong? Just ask Grace
Smacking homers out of Chase
He can swing, to drive in Drew
Or take a walk, 'cos pitchers do...
Hey there! They fear the Snyderman.

In the heat of the night,
At the scene of the crime,
Like a streak of light,
He throws to second just in time!

Snyderman, Snyderman,
Friendly neighborhood Snyderman.
Wealth and fame, he's ignored--
Action is his reward.
To him, life is a great big bang-up--
Wherever there's a hang-up,
You'll find the Snyderman!

- Jim

Snyderman, Snyderman
Does whatever a Snyder can.
Catches Webb, calls the signs
Throws out base-thieves, just like flies
Look out! Here to bat is Snyderman.

Is he strong? Just ask Grace
Thumping homers out of Chase
He hits doubles, to drive in Drew
Or takes a walk, `cos the pitchers due
Hey there! Watch out for Snyderman.

He calls the pitch, the mound takes aim
At the scene of a perfect game.
With bullet quickness, he sets to throw
The base runners success is really low

Snyderman, Snyderman
Everyday catcher, Snyderman.
Wealth and fame, he's ignored--
As long as he puts runs on the board
To him, life is the greatest game--
Wherever there's a bullpen set aflame
You'll find Chris Snyder, Snyderman

-Me :-)

With my prediction of the Boston Red Sox taking their perennial and catastrophic fall in the standings. (they do it every year about this time) What do you guys think about taking over the best record in the bigs? We have 2 more games with the Nats before we take the show on the road to Florida and Atlanta before coming back home to face the Fathers for 4 games. Do you think we can gain the 4 games to grab hold possession of number 1 in league? I think it is a major possibility.

Rick Ankiel hit his first major league home run as a position player yesterday. In 1999 and 2000 he struggled something fierce as a fireballer who couldn't hit the strike zone if it was the size of Russ Ortiz. He went down to the minors and attempted to make the transition to the outfield, as he was already a decent hitter. (2 hr as a pitcher)Yesterday he made his major league debut as an outfielder after 4 years of injury, mental issues and the struggle of just making it. In his fourth AB of the night he smacked a 3-run homer off of Chris Young. I don't know about you guys, but this story gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside. It also has Disney written all over it. Congratulations on your success Rick Ankiel!

We need to come up with some definitive nicknames for a couple of our young guys, especially Upton. I'm posting this to get some suggestions out there on what we should call our baby boppers. Chris Young is already CY and that has seem to catch, but the rest of the guys' nicknames are up for grabs. So, post your player and then some suggested nicknames and then we can decide on which ones we like best.

Tony Pena hands down IMO. The man is a horse. He has the best ERA in the NL minus Chris Young for guys who have pitched at least 60 innings. This month 16.2 innings, 14 hits, 3 ER, 14 K's, 1.62 ERA. Middle relievers never get the glory they deserve. Any other comments on player of the month? Am I crazy? Tell me why, and back yourself up with your player of the month.

Just watched the news conference introducing David Beckham to the LA Galaxy. Now I dont know if its the medications from my recent surgery or just my normal enthusiasm for sports in general but watching it got me really excited to see some soccer (futbol). I know there are a good amount of Brits on here so I was just curious of the feedback from across the pond and what the Americans think this will do for American soccer.