D'Backs GM grows brain... signs Byrnes to extension

[gallandro]

In an unexpected turn of events, the D'Backs just signed Eric Byrnes to a three year extension:

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/0807brynes-ON-CR.html

Excellent, he's the leader and catalyst for the team... fantastic news!!! Expect the D'Backs to now actively shop OF Carlos Quentin.


Yancy

[snepp]

Re: D'Backs GM grows brain... signs Byrnes to extension

I think that's going to end up being a bargain.

[Macar91]

Re: D'Backs GM grows brain... signs Byrnes to extension

That's a great deal for the D-Backs, considering Byrnes can do everything on the field and he's the leader of that team. He could've gotten some major $$$ on the open market.

[richierich]

Re: D'Backs GM grows brain... signs Byrnes to extension

sticking it to the Giants again, yay

[mgoblue]

Re: D'Backs GM grows brain... signs Byrnes to extension

Being in Phoenix now, I listen to a lot of local sports talk radio. I thought they were gonna wait until the end of the year and then Byrnes would have been long gone, no matter what they offered. Great signing, otherwise it looks like they're saying "we're rebuilding" all the time.

[oakfan162]

Re: D'Backs GM grows brain... signs Byrnes to extension

I think that's going to end up being a bargain.

QFT. As much as I would have liked him back by the Bay (on the A's or Giants), it couldn't happen to a better guy. Go Byrnsy!

[ComfortablyLomb]

Re: D'Backs GM grows brain... signs Byrnes to extension

I think that's going to end up being a bargain.

For a 31 year old with a .785 career OPS with a little speed? A bargain at $30 million? He's having a great year and has had a real presence on that team but I don't think we're seeing anything more than a career year. Don't get me wrong either, he's a good guy to have on an NL team but I don't think I would go so far as calling it a bargain even with the market getting a little bloated recently. If he comes close to this year's performance next year I'll be shocked, especially considering that it seems like his entire boost in production has come from a boosted batting average this year in something of a hitter's park. This is one of the problems with teams like the D-backs, they have somewhat limited payroll (what are they, $60-70 million? maybe) and they spend 15% of it on a guy who really isn't that good? I dunno how great that is...

[richierich]

Re: D'Backs GM grows brain... signs Byrnes to extension

I think Byrnes is worth it. How many guys do you see that scrappy? The man hustles.

[dieselboy]

Re: D'Backs GM grows brain... signs Byrnes to extension

I'm glad to see Arizona re-sign them.

He had said numerous times that he wanted to stay there. Gotta always root for a guy like Byrnes.

[mgoblue]

Re: D'Backs GM grows brain... signs Byrnes to extension

I think Byrnes is worth it. How many guys do you see that scrappy? The man hustles.

Plus, losing him would just gut the hearts of the fanbase...you have to do something to keep the young talent you've said you've been grooming.

It may seem like a lot of money but look at the ish that JD Drew got paid, some of the pitchers are getting insane money when they're not worth it at all. I don't think this is in the vein of those, just my opinion.

Plus, how can you not like Byrnes-y? Dude had his dog swimming the wrong way in McCovey Cove at the All Star Game lol

[snepp]

Re: D'Backs GM grows brain... signs Byrnes to extension

For a 31 year old with a .785 career OPS with a little speed? A bargain at $30 million?

Torii Hunter is going to get a 5 year deal likely in the 75-85 million range.

.794 career OPS
declining range and speed
doesn't steal bases anymore
1 year older than Byrnes

Byrnes is going to end up being a bargain.

[Havok410]

Re: D'Backs GM grows brain... signs Byrnes to extension

For a 31 year old with a .785 career OPS with a little speed? A bargain at $30 million? He's having a great year and has had a real presence on that team but I don't think we're seeing anything more than a career year. Don't get me wrong either, he's a good guy to have on an NL team but I don't think I would go so far as calling it a bargain even with the market getting a little bloated recently. If he comes close to this year's performance next year I'll be shocked, especially considering that it seems like his entire boost in production has come from a boosted batting average this year in something of a hitter's park. This is one of the problems with teams like the D-backs, they have somewhat limited payroll (what are they, $60-70 million? maybe) and they spend 15% of it on a guy who really isn't that good? I dunno how great that is...

Exactly what I was thinking. Arizona is loaded with really good outfield prospects....they could've saved a ton of money by giving Byrnes' job to Quentin or Carlos Gonzalez (Quentin would be the better option).

[ComfortablyLomb]

Re: D'Backs GM grows brain... signs Byrnes to extension

Plus, losing him would just gut the hearts of the fanbase...you have to do something to keep the young talent you've said you've been grooming.

It may seem like a lot of money but look at the ish that JD Drew got paid, some of the pitchers are getting insane money when they're not worth it at all. I don't think this is in the vein of those, just my opinion.

Plus, how can you not like Byrnes-y? Dude had his dog swimming the wrong way in McCovey Cove at the All Star Game lol

What does keeping Bynes have to do with the keeping young talent? He'll be 32 next year and 34 at the end of contract. Not horrible but you should bank on him regressing a bit and keep in mind that the D-Backs are going to tie up a chunk of their salary room with him (about 15% is my guess). Oh, and one of Quentin, Young, and Upton are going to have to go, they're the youth remember.

As for JD Drew, his body of work is much greater than Byrnes'.

JD Drew's career line: .283/.390/.499 - OPS+ 129
Eric Byrnes' career line: .268/.329/.456 - OPS+ 102

Byrnes' contract makes Drew's look good in comparison, which it wasn't really, though it doesn't really matter when you're talking about the Red Sox, Yankees, or even the Mets.

He may be scrappy and likable but his track record as a hitter is very mediocre and he's getting older. He'll regress and the Diamondbacks had better hope one of those young guys can pick up the slack or else they're not going anywhere fast.

[snepp]

Re: D'Backs GM grows brain... signs Byrnes to extension

Byrnes provides speed along with some power while playing quality defense at a premium defensive position. Drew plays a corner outfield spot, there is a difference.

[ComfortablyLomb]

Re: D'Backs GM grows brain... signs Byrnes to extension

Byrnes provides speed along with some power while playing quality defense at a premium defensive position. Drew plays a corner outfield spot, there is a difference.

Left field? The D-backs actually have Byrnes playing left field these days because Chris Young is now in center with his power, speed, and inability to get on base.

Eric Byrnes in the field, 2007:
LF - 78 games
RF - 35 games
CF - 22 games

Drew actually played center last night in Anaheim and has played maybe 20% of his career games in the field there. Of course, right field in Fenway is about as tough to play as center field in any other park which is one of the reasons the Sox went after him. It's an enormous amount of ground to cover and you need a fielder with both good range and good arm to take care of it. Drew is an excellent fielder.

Back to Byrnes though, he's had power and speed recently but once again the D-backs just committed 15% of their payroll the next few seasons to a guy who is going to be 32 and is coming off a career year. When his average drops back down to its normal range he's not going to look nearly as good as he does right now.