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2015 D-backs single-game tickets on sale today D-backs single-game tickets go on sale to the public today beginning at 9 a.m. MT. Secure the best seats at Chase Field this season By Arizona Diamondbacks / MLB.com http://mlb.mlb.com/ticketing/singlegame.jsp?c_id=ari&affiliateId=312D29RM1Z-7 D-backs begin new era under Hale Roster, front office overhauled during offseason By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com http://m.dbacks.mlb.com/news/article/109728598/d-backs-begin-new-era-under-first-year-manager-chip-hale Goldschmidt to wear protective pad on left hand First baseman's 2014 season cut short by fracture By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com http://m.dbacks.mlb.com/news/article/109728862/d-backs-first-baseman-paul-goldschmidt-to-wear-protective-pad-on-left-hand Trumbo wins arbitration hearing, to earn $6.9 million By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com http://m.dbacks.mlb.com/news/article/109729170/d-backs-outfielder-mark-trumbo-wins-arbitration-hearing SUBWAY D-backs Fan Fest • February 22, 2015 • Chase Field By Arizona Diamondbacks / MLB.com http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/ari/fan_forum/fanfest.jsp?affiliateId=A2X91220L1J-7 Arizona Diamondbacks report to spring training amid low expectations By Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/diamondbacks/2015/02/19/arizona-diamondbacks-chip-hale-mlb/23710657/ Arizona Diamondbacks still healing as spring training begins By Zach Buchanan / Arizona Republic http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/diamondbacks/2015/02/19/arizona-diamondbacks-david-hernandez-patrick-corbin-chip-hale-mlb/23707151/ Mark Trumbo beats Diamondbacks in arbitration By Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/cactus-league/2015/02/19/mark-trumbo-arizona-diamondbacks-arbitration-contract/23690397/

Trumbo beats D-backs in arbitration By Jack Magruder / Fox Sports Arizona http://www.foxsports.com/arizona/story/trumbo-beats-d-backs-in-arbitration-021915 Goldschmidt: 'I almost forgot I broke my hand' By Fox Sports Arizona http://www.foxsports.com/arizona/video/goldschmidt-i-almost-forgot-i-broke-my-hand-021915?vid=401625155558 Chip Hale brings new energy, enthusiasm as D-backs gather for camp By Jack Magruder / Fox Sports Arizona http://www.foxsports.com/arizona/story/chip-hale-arizona-diamondbacks-open-camp-with-new-enthusiasm-021915 D-backs pitcher Daniel Hudson readies for comeback with open mind By Kevin Zimmerman / Fox Sports Arizona http://www.foxsports.com/arizona/story/d-backs-daniel-hudson-comeback-tommy-john-surgeries-021915 Baseball's back: Sights and sounds from D-backs' camp By Fox Sports Arizona http://www.foxsports.com/arizona/story/arizona-diamondbacks-sights-sounds-from-spring-training-021915 Chip Hale, Arizona Diamondbacks offering 'right answers' to questions about season ahead By Jules Thompkins / Arizona Sports http://arizonasports.com/42/1809192/Chip-Hale-Arizona-Diamondbacks-offering-right-answers-to-questions-about-season-ahead Mark Trumbo beats Arizona Diamondbacks in arbitration, will earn $6.9 million By Associated Press / Arizona Sports http://arizonasports.com/42/1809141/Mark-Trumbo-beats-Arizona-Diamondbacks-in-arbitration-will-earn-69-million Josh Collmenter looks to lead young, undecided Arizona Diamondbacks' rotation By Jules Thompkins / Arizona Sports http://arizonasports.com/42/1809103/Josh-Collmenter-looks-to-lead-young-undecided-Arizona-Diamondbacks-rotation Hale opens Diamondbacks camp with clean slate By Mark Brown / Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/article/hale-opens-diamondbacks-camp-with-clean-slate Six Arizona Diamondbacks among Baseball America's Top 100 prospects By Jim McLennan / AZSnakePit.com

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http://www.azsnakepit.com/2015/2/20/8073735/six-arizona-diamondbacks-among-baseball-americas-top-100-prospects?_ga=1.109789445.1865869542.1423074325 What’s new At Salt River Fields in 2015? By AZ Big Media http://azbigmedia.com/featured/salt-river-fields-2015 Diamondbacks tickets go on sale By Breann Bierman / KPHO.com http://www.kpho.com/story/28158329/diamondbacks-tickets-go-on-sale Diamondbacks honor memory of fallen fan By Fox10Phoenix.com http://www.fox10phoenix.com/story/28154388/diamondbacks-honor-memory-of-fallen-fan?clienttype=generic&mobilecgbypass Diamondbacks call Tucson's JCC 'grand slam' By Jackie Kent / Tucson News Now http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/story/28143401/diamondbacks-say-tucsons-jcc-is-a-grand-slam Arizona seeks to improve on 98-loss 2014 By Mohave Valley Daily News http://www.mohavedailynews.com/sports/arizona-seeks-to-improve-on--loss/article_e43a08a4-b8cc-11e4-a93e-6354a04a5fd2.html SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Pitchers and catchers reported BREAKDOWN: How Diamondbacks look headed into Spring Training By Associated Press / ABC15.com http://www.abc15.com/sports/sports-blogs-local/breakdown-how-diamondbacks-look-headed-into-spring-training

Uncertainty abounds for new D-Backs manager Chip Hale By AP / USA Today http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2015/02/19/uncertainty-abounds-for-new-d-backs-manager-chip-hale/23711501/ Pedro Alvarez and Mark Trumbo win in salary arbitration By AP / USA Today http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2015/02/19/pedro-alvarez-and-mark-trumbo-win-in-salary-arbitration/23706721/ Mark Trumbo beats D-backs in arbitration, will earn $6.9 million By AP / Fox Sports http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/arizona-diamondbacks-lose-arbitration-case-to-mark-trumbo-021915 Trumbo beats D-backs in arbitration, will earn $6.9 million By AP / Yahoo! Sports http://sports.yahoo.com/news/trumbo-beats-d-backs-arbitration-earn-6-9-192107586--mlb.html Top 100 Prospects: By The Tools By Baseball America

http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/top-100-prospects-tools-2/ Mark Trumbo wins his arbitration hearing By Craig Calcaterra / NBC Sports http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/19/mark-trumbo-wins-his-arbitration-hearing/related/ The Diamondbacks are signing a billion dollar TV deal By Craig Calcaterra / NBC Sports http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/19/the-diamondbacks-are-signing-a-billion-dollar-tv-deal/ Report: Diamondbacks ink $1 billion TV deal By Gabrielle McMillen / Sporting News http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2015-02-19/report-diamondbacks-stays-with-fox-sports-arizona-for-1-billion Diamondbacks hit reset button for 2015 By Sports Xchange / Covers.com http://www.covers.com/articles/articles.aspx?theArt=408829 Trumbo Beats D-Backs In Arbitration, Will Earn $6.9M By AP / SportsTalkFlorida.com http://www.sportstalkflorida.com/trumbo-beats-d-backs-in-arbitration-will-earn-6-9m/ Arizona Diamondbacks - PlayerWatch By Thomson Reuters / GlobalPost.com http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/thomson-reuters/150220/arizona-diamondbacks-playerwatch Mark Trumbo Wins Arbitration Case Against the Diamondbacks By Jospeh Jacquez / Fansided.com http://venomstrikes.com/2015/02/19/mark-trumbo-wins-arbitration-case-diamondbacks/ Uncertainty abounds for new D-Backs manager Chip Hale By TBO.com http://tbo.com/ap/sports/major_league_baseball/uncertainty-abounds-for-new-d-backs-manager-chip-hale-ap_mlb_baseball59d993769ba04458bdc82f47239baf32 Diamondbacks Sign Billion-Dollar TV Deal By Al Yellon / SB Nation http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2015/2/19/8069917/diamondbacks-sign-billion-dollar-tv-deal Predicting the National League West as Baseball's Best Division Is Not so Absurd By Anthony Witrado / Bleacher Report http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2369750-predicting-the-national-league-west-as-baseballs-best-division-is-not-so-absurd Yankees' Tanaka has workout By AP / TimesUnion.com http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Yankees-Tanaka-has-workout-6090705.php Arizona Diamondbacks Tickets: CapitalCityTickets.com is Making Diamondbacks Fans Excited with Discounted

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Tickets for all Arizona Diamondbacks Games at Chase Field By ForImmediateRelease.net http://www.forimmediaterelease.net/pm/12457.html MLB notes: Judge sides with Cubs By NorthJersey.com http://www.northjersey.com/sports/baseball/mlb-notes-judge-sides-with-cubs-1.1274972 Pedro Alvarez beats Pirates in salary arbitration and Mark Trumbo defeats Diamondbacks By AP / Green Field Reporter http://www.greenfieldreporter.com/view/story/ef73af8fca324224a2a50c857f88bee4/BBO--Arbitration MLB injury, news and rumors roundup for February 19 By Mike Axisa / CBS Sports http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/25074688/mlb-injury-news-and-rumors-roundup-for-february-19 Diamondbacks' Chris Owings to miss 8-10 spring games By Chris Cwik / CBS Sports http://fantasynews.cbssports.com/fantasybaseball/update/25074598/diamondbacks-chris-owings-to-miss-8-10-spring-games Diamondbacks' Reed, Stites slightly behind to begin camp By Chris Cwik / CBS Sports http://fantasynews.cbssports.com/fantasybaseball/update/25074594/diamondbacks-reed-stites-slightly-behind-to-begin-camp The Diamondbacks got a $1 billion TV deal By Joe Lucia / AwfulAnnouncing.com http://awfulannouncing.com/2015/diamondbacks-got-1-billion-tv-deal.html Best Cuban Baseball Players Entering The 2015 MLB Season By Greg Price / IBTimes.com http://www.ibtimes.com/best-cuban-baseball-players-entering-2015-mlb-season-1822098 D-backs invitan a su Festival del Fanático este domingo By MixedVoces.com http://mixedvoces.com/deportes/d-backs-invitan-a-su-festival-del-fanatico-este-domingo-17628#.VOdtPkR0zIV

Name sought for new specialty Kane County Cougars beer By Kane County Chronicle

http://www.kcchronicle.com/2015/02/19/name-sought-for-new-specialty-kane-county-cougars-beer/as4gqa8/

February 20, 2015 • sports.yahoo.com/mlb/morenews http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/morenews

February 20, 2015 • MLB.com http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions

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2015 D-backs single-game tickets on sale today D-backs single-game tickets go on sale to the public today beginning at 9 a.m. MT. Secure the best seats at Chase Field this season By Arizona Diamondbacks / MLB.com http://mlb.mlb.com/ticketing/singlegame.jsp?c_id=ari&affiliateId=312D29RM1Z-7 Single Game Ticket Pricing All listed prices are subject to change. Single game tickets go on sale today at 9 a.m. MST.

D-backs begin new era under Hale Roster, front office overhauled during offseason By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com http://m.dbacks.mlb.com/news/article/109728598/d-backs-begin-new-era-under-first-year-manager-chip-hale SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- D-backs pitchers and catchers reported for Spring Training on Thursday and there were plenty of unfamiliar faces after the new baseball department overhauled last year's 98-loss team this winter. So many, in fact, that veteran holdover Josh Collmenter was asked if players should wear nametags. "Well, the beauty of it is we have jerseys, so they have our names on the back," he replied. With all the new players, plus a new manager and baseball operations department, there will be plenty of differences in the way Spring Training is run. "For us, the way you teach is to go back and start from ground zero," first-year manager Chip Hale said. "When a team loses 98 games, it's not hard to get their attention. We like to go on what guys have done in the past, but if a guy jumps out to us, he could find himself on the team." Hale has taken advantage of having so many players working out at the facility over the last month to get to know his team. He will not get to ease into the job, however, as there will be plenty of decisions to make over the next six weeks. Collmenter and Jeremy Hellickson are the lone locks for the starting rotation at this point, with Chase Anderson, Robbie Ray, Rubby De La Rosa, Allen Watson, Andrew Chafin, Trevor Cahill, Vidal Nuno, Daniel Hudson, Randall Delgado, Yoan Lopez and Archie Bradley among those competing for the three open spots. There will be much made about how players look while throwing bullpens over the next week, but for Hale that is only a small part of the equation. "When that batter gets in the box, that's what's going to tell me," Hale said. "I think pressure and competition is going to make us better. We'll see who can handle it."

@Dbacks #Dbacks pitchers Yoan Lopez, Vidal Nuño, #TheTomahawk and @ChaseAnderson87 get loose. #DbacksSpring Here are some of the other topics Hale covered in his media session Thursday: • Relievers Addison Reed and Matt Stites will be behind the other pitchers initially. The two were a little sore after throwing side sessions recently. Both underwent tests to rule out injury and were prescribed rest. • Setup man Brad Ziegler, who underwent microfracture surgery on his left knee last September, is expected to be ready for Opening Day. • Shortstop Chris Owings will likely miss the first 8-10 Cactus League games. The team wants to be extra cautious with his left shoulder that he had surgery on this offseason. • The D-backs will initially look at Hudson as a starter, but nothing is set in stone at this point. Whatever they decide to do, they will involve him in the decision. • There are eight catchers in camp including Tuffy Gosewisch, Oscar Hernandez, Gerald Laird, Blake Lalli, Peter O'Brien, Jordan Pacheco, Matt Pagnozzi and Mark Thomas. "It's wide open," Hale said of the catching competition. "Any of the eight could be on our team as one of our catchers." • The D-backs will begin stretching on the fields Friday around 10 a.m. MT. Fans wishing to watch practice should part in the Desert Parking Lot and follow the winding path to the practice fields. There is no charge to attend.

Goldschmidt to wear protective pad on left hand First baseman's 2014 season cut short by fracture By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com http://m.dbacks.mlb.com/news/article/109728862/d-backs-first-baseman-paul-goldschmidt-to-wear-protective-pad-on-left-hand SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- D-backs first baseman Paul Goldschmidt will wear a protective pad on his left hand after fracturing the hand last year. "I have a pad. I'll probably put it underneath my batting glove or in my batting glove," Goldschmidt said. "Not that it's necessary, but it just seems silly, if it's non-invasive, to not wear it." Goldschmidt was hit by a pitch on the left hand on Aug. 1 and missed the rest of the season. "I was taking BP at the end of the season last year, so it was fully healed," he said. "I almost forgot that I broke it, so this was a completely normal offseason."

Trumbo wins arbitration hearing, to earn $6.9 million By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com

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http://m.dbacks.mlb.com/news/article/109729170/d-backs-outfielder-mark-trumbo-wins-arbitration-hearing SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The D-backs lost their arbitration case with outfielder Mark Trumbo and will pay him $6.9 million in 2015. The D-backs had filed a $5.3 million figure. Wednesday marked the first time the D-backs had gone to a hearing since 2001, when Damian Miller won his case against the team. Injuries limited Trumbo to 88 games last season, his first with the D-backs after coming over from the Angels, and he hit .235 with 14 homers and 61 RBIs.

SUBWAY D-backs Fan Fest • February 22, 2015 • Chase Field By Arizona Diamondbacks / MLB.com http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/ari/fan_forum/fanfest.jsp?affiliateId=A2X91220L1J-7 The Arizona Diamondbacks will host the 11th annual SUBWAY® D-backs Fan Fest (#DbacksFanFest) on Sunday, February 22, 2015 from noon-4:00 p.m. at Chase Field, with early VIP entry for season ticket holders and D-backs Youth Jersey Program members at 11:00 a.m. The free event will offer fans unprecedented access to current players, coaches, alumni and broadcasters, including autograph and photo sessions on the field. Last year's event drew an estimated 25,000 fans to Chase Field. A limited number of player autograph vouchers for Fan Fest will be available for purchase at the Chase Field Box Office on Sunday, February 22 at 11 a.m. Vouchers are $5 with all proceeds going to the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation. D-backs home clubhouse tours, courtesy of Wyndham Vacation Ownership Fans can hit in the batting cages, catch a fly ball on the field Player photo opportunities, courtesy of Smile Generation Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation Yard Sale D-backs Race Against Cancer registration, presented by University of Arizona Cancer Center at Dignity Health St. Joseph's Goldy's Fund 4 Kids where fans can purchase limited-edition Goldy Bleacher Creatures D-backs Team Shop Merchandise Truck Sports card and Memorabilia Show @Dbacks Social Media Zone

Live music by The Walkens and a special musical performance by D-backs players Bronson Arroyo, Aaron Hill, A.J. Pollock and Mark Trumbo Family Fun Zone featuring speed pitch, T-ball and other interactive inflatables, presented by G1GABLAST from Cox Wiffle ball fields featuring D-backs players, coaches and staff from the D-backs Baseball Academy, presented by Phoenix Children's Hospital Live Sports broadcast on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM and La Mejor 1400 FM throughout the day FOX Sports Arizona and Sanderson Ford KidKaster auditions Sanderson Ford Cronista Infantil D-backs Spanish broadcast auditions for La Mejor 1400 FM Kids' activity area, including face painting and balloon artists courtesy of Banana Boat ® sunscreens Receive information about National Anthem, Rally-backs, Golden Glovers and D-backs Legends Racers tryouts Fans will have the opportunity to sign up for Gila River Casinos' KachingKo promotion First 3,000 fans will receive a SUBWAY® cash card loaded with amounts ranging from $1 - $100 The SUBWAY® Fan Fest Stage will feature special Q&A sessions, including: 12:10 p.m. - Hosted by Putz with guests: Goldschmidt, Hill, Pollock 12:30 p.m. - Hosted by Rodrigo Lopez and Oscar Soria (in Spanish) with guests: Tomás, Peralta, Inciarte, Lopez 1:10 p.m. - Hosted by Berthiaume with guests: Hellickson, Webster, Ray 1:25 p.m. - Hosted by Berthiaume and Collmenter with guests: Bradley, Shipley, Blair 1:50 p.m. - Musical performance by Arroyo and special guests 2:30 p.m. - Hosted by Schulte with guests: Hall, La Russa and Stewart Players Nick Ahmed, Brandon Drury, Paul Goldschmidt, Tuffy Gosewisch, Aaron Hill, Ender Inciarte, Jake Lamb, Chris Owings, Cliff Pennington, David Peralta, A.J. Pollock, Cody Ross, Yasmany Tomás, Mark Trumbo, Chase Anderson, Bronson Arroyo, Jake Barrett, Aaron Blair, Archie Bradley, Enrique Burgos, Trevor Cahill, Andrew Chafin, Josh Collmenter, Patrick Corbin, Rubby De La Rosa, Randall Delgado, Jeremy Hellickson, David Hernandez, Oscar Hernandez, Daniel Hudson, Will Locante, Yoan López, Evan Marshall, Kevin Munson, Vidal Nuno, Peter O'Brien, Jordan,

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Pacheco, Óliver Pérez, Robbie Ray, Addison Reed, Matt Reynolds, A.J. Schugel, Braden Shipley, Matt Stites, Allen Webster, Brad Ziegler Coaches Chip Hale, Mark Grace, Andy Green, Mike Harkey, Dave McKay, Ariel Prieto, Glenn Sherlock, Mel Stottlemyre Front Office Luis Gonzalez, Tony La Russa, J.J. Putz, Dave Stewart Subject to change.

Arizona Diamondbacks report to spring training amid low expectations By Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/diamondbacks/2015/02/19/arizona-diamondbacks-chip-hale-mlb/23710657/ In the weeks leading up to spring training, Chip Hale stood in the outfield with the early-arriving players, picking their brains during workouts at Salt River Fields. He talked with pitchers after watching them throw and traded text messages with others, doing all he could to learn about them. The Diamondbacks' new manager is a believer that more than just talent goes into a winning team, and what he heard from his players while getting to know them has him optimistic they have the other ingredients, as well. "The things that are being said, different things I'm reading in texts, are the perfect things we're looking for," Hale said Thursday, the report date for pitchers and catchers. "But we really won't see it until we're under fire." They might be under fire often this season, at least if the outside perception becomes reality. The Diamondbacks went 64-98 last year, finishing with the worst record in baseball, and whether it's Las Vegas oddsmakers or media pundits, there's an expectation they might be just as bad this season. Hale expects that to be a motivating factor. "It's human nature," he said. "It's like, no one wants to be laughed at, right? Ninety-eight losses is not good. They realize that. And some of the texts allude to that. 'I can't wait to get started and get after some people.' "The expectations are probably a little bit lower, but not for us in the room." So far, Hale's time on the job has been devoted to planning and introductions. His coaches say he's a stickler for details, that the schedule he prepared for spring training was made and remade until deemed flawless. Most of his players are still getting to know him, but they all seem to pick up on one thing quickly: his energy. They see it from him when he moves around the field during workouts. They hear it in his voice when he talks about the game. They notice it's still there at the end of the day.

"He's really upbeat and all about having a good time," reliever Evan Marshall said, "but at the same time he wants us to take all that energy he brings and point it toward winning." But just how much winning can reasonably be expected from the Diamondbacks this season? General Manager Dave Stewart has sounded overly optimistic when talking about his roster, while Chief Baseball Officer Tony La Russa said during the offseason he'd be disappointed if his team didn't finish with a winning record. Hale wasn't so bullish — he said the Diamondbacks "want to be over .500," calling it "very important to the organization" — and instead steered the topic toward a parallel he drew to the Kansas City Royals. Not long ago, the Royals owned what was considered baseball's best farm system, and last year, they finally broke through and reached the World Series. The Diamondbacks' system is regarded as solid, stocked with a handful of high-end prospects, and Hale noted that five of the organization's minor league affiliates reached the playoffs last season. RELATED: Diamondbacks still healing as spring training begins "For years, you heard about all the talent (the Royals) had in the minor leagues," Hale said. "They were winning PCL championships and winning the Texas League. And all of a sudden these guys come, and I think that's kind of what we're building in the organization. People don't buy that until you do win at the big-league level. We're getting a lot of winning ballplayers that are coming through the system, which should be important." If it's going to happen this year, they'll need to answer a slew of questions, particularly among the pitching staff, which ranked among baseball's worst last season. Three-fifths of the rotation is up for grabs, with perhaps a dozen or more pitchers competing for spots. "We'd like to go on what guys have done in the past, their seasons last year, for example," Hale said. "But in this situation, if a guy jumps out at us in spring training, he can jump himself right onto the team." A lot of the unknown greets Hale, who has watched video and heard second-hand reports on many of his players. He's also seen a lot of them in workouts over the past six weeks, much of which has left him encouraged. "But when that hitter guys in the box, he's going to tell me," Hale said. "You can watch a guy throw a bullpen and he looks like he's Nolan Ryan and then he goes out in the game and he can't get an out. When a hitter gets in there or pitchers get on the mound for the hitters, then we'll find out what kind of guys we have."

Arizona Diamondbacks still healing as spring training begins By Zach Buchanan / Arizona Republic

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http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/diamondbacks/2015/02/19/arizona-diamondbacks-david-hernandez-patrick-corbin-chip-hale-mlb/23707151/ The Diamondbacks should be better in 2015 just by virtue of regaining the services of several key players lost to injury last season. But first, those players have to get fully healthy. Arizona has three pitchers — reliever David Hernandez and starters Patrick Corbin and Bronson Arroyo — working back from Tommy John surgery. Another reliever, Brad Ziegler, is recovering from an operation on his knee, and the team's starting shortstop, Chris Owings, is working back from a shoulder procedure. Three of those five should be ready at or near Opening Day. Another post-surgery player, All-Star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, is fully recovered from the hand injury that sidelined him for the final two months of 2014. "I almost forgot I broke it," Goldschmidt said of his hand. "Honestly, it was a completely normal offseason." Goldschmidt won't be limited in any way during spring training, although he said he would likely wear a pad under his glove for precautionary reasons. The rest of Arizona's convalescing players will likely be limited in some form or fashion in the first few weeks of spring, if not longer. Owings had shoulder surgery in early October and was told his recovery would take four to six months. He's ahead of that schedule, he's been told, but is still limited to a set number of swings off a tee, flips and hitting overhand soft toss. He hopes to expand his activity by next week when position players report. Corbin and Hernandez had elbow surgery around Opening Day of last season but aren't yet ready to throw off a mound. Arroyo is even further behind. Hernandez is close to taking that next step, as is Ziegler, but both will be delayed in their starts to spring. The team also pushed back the starts of relievers Addison Reed and Matt Stites due to soreness experienced during pre-report day side sessions. New manager Chip Hale doesn't think it's anything serious, though. RELATED: Diamondbacks' new TV deal believed to be worth more than $1 billion "Every year it's something," Hale said. "You come into camp and you throw your first side and something doesn't feel right. They've both been fully tested. There's no injuries. It's our way of slowing them down." Hale has no doubt Stites and Reed will be ready far before Opening Day, and is confident both Ziegler and Owings will be full-go come April 6 as well. Ziegler was not available during the open portion of clubhouse access on Thursday, but Owings said he sees himself diving fully into spring training games by mid-March. He doesn't want to be babied when he returns, though. No precautionary rest days. Either he's ready or he's not.

"Once I do start playing big-league games, it's going to be I'm 100 percent ready to go," Owings said. "It's not going to be play a game and it doesn't feel so good so take a day off." Hernandez shouldn't be far behind. Although he underwent surgery just a week after Corbin, because he is a reliever his return predates his rehab partner's by at least two months. Opening Day might be a stretch, Hale said, but sometime in April is realistic. RELATED: Diamondbacks' soft-tossing Collmenter slowly gaining acceptance Beyond that, Corbin is expected by around June. Arroyo could also return then, despite his advanced-for-baseball age at 37 and his July surgery. His return could also be pushed back closer to August. Arroyo is too early in the rehab process to have a concrete timeline. He's been playing catch for onlyl the past three weeks. A clear idea of his progress is a few months away. "It's kind of like watching the hour hand on a clock," Arroyo said. "It doesn't look like it's moving, but it is. It's more about how did you feel two weeks ago versus today versus every day. It's such a slow-moving thing that you can't tell day-to-day." Trumbo wins arbitration hearing The Diamondbacks' first arbitration hearing in 14 years did not turn out in their favor. Outfielder Mark Trumbo won his case against the club, meaning he will make $6.9 million this season. The Diamondbacks had filed at $5.3 million. Trumbo, who made $4.8 million last season, is coming off an injury-shortened year in which he played in only 88 games and hit .235 with 14 homers and 61 RBIs in 328 at-bats. In his career, Trumbo owns a .247 average with 109 home runs and 345 RBIs. His first full season in the majors was 2011.

Mark Trumbo beats Diamondbacks in arbitration By Nick Piecoro / Arizona Republic http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/cactus-league/2015/02/19/mark-trumbo-arizona-diamondbacks-arbitration-contract/23690397/ The Diamondbacks' first arbitration hearing in 14 years did not turn out in their favor. Outfielder Mark Trumbo won his case against the club, meaning he will make $6.9 million this season. The Diamondbacks had filed at $5.3 million. Related: : D-Backs new TV deal believed to be worth more than $1 billion

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Trumbo, who made $4.8 million last season, is coming off an injury-shortened year in which he played in only 88 games and hit .235 with 14 homers and 61 RBIs in 328 at-bats. In his career, Trumbo owns a .247 average with 109 home runs and 345 RBIs. His first full season in the majors was 2011.

Trumbo beats D-backs in arbitration By Jack Magruder / Fox Sports Arizona http://www.foxsports.com/arizona/story/trumbo-beats-d-backs-in-arbitration-021915 PHOENIX -- Mark Trumbo will have a new position this season, and with it an upgraded salary. Trumbo, who will move from left field to right field, will play for $6.9 million in 2015 after an arbitrator on Wednesday ruled in his favor. It was the Diamondbacks' first arbitration hearing in 13 years. The D-backs filed at $5.3 million. "I am looking forward to a great year and a big improvement, both personally and team-wise, from last year," Trumbo said as pitchers and catchers reported to camp at Salt River Fields. Trumbo slashed .235/.415/.707 with 14 home runs and 61 RBI in 88 games last season, his first with the D-backs. He missed almost three months with a stress fracture in his left foot, going on the disabled list April 22 after a hot start in which he had seven home runs and 19 RBI in 21 games. His home run total was a career low, but his ratio of one RBI every 5.4 at-bats was a career-best. He averaged 32 homers and 94 RBI in his three full major league seasons with the Los Angeles Angels from 2011-13. "It's not a process anybody wants to go through," D-backs general manager Dave Stewart said. "I don't think Mark wanted to go through it. We didn't. The process turns out the way it does. There is nothing personal about it. It's all about business. You leave it in the room and go from there." The ruling sets the D-backs' 2015 payroll at about $93 million for the 40-man roster. The only players not under contract are those with less than four years major league service time. With few exceptions, most of them will make the major league minimum of $507,500, a figure that includes a cost of living adjustment from the $500,000 negotiated in the latest labor agreement. Trumbo, 29, played exclusively in left field and at first base last season, moving to first after Paul Goldschmidt suffered a season-ending broken hand on July 31. Trumbo finished the season as he started, with five homers in his final seven games. His was the D-backs' first arbitration hearing since 2001 with catcher Damian Miller. The D-backs lost that case as well.

Goldschmidt: 'I almost forgot I broke my hand' By Fox Sports Arizona

http://www.foxsports.com/arizona/video/goldschmidt-i-almost-forgot-i-broke-my-hand-021915?vid=401625155558 Paul Goldschmidt chats with Jody Jackson on the first day of spring training. (Video Embedded on webpage).

Chip Hale brings new energy, enthusiasm as D-backs gather for camp By Jack Magruder / Fox Sports Arizona http://www.foxsports.com/arizona/story/chip-hale-arizona-diamondbacks-open-camp-with-new-enthusiasm-021915 PHOENIX -- When Chip Hale returned home to the East Bay as Oakland's bench coach in 2012, his mother was not fully on board. " 'You are going to go with the A's? They're terrible,' " Hale said, remembering the conversation. "I'm like, 'Well, wait a minute, Mom, we're going to be better than you think.' " That is exactly how it played out. The A's won 94 games in 2012, 96 the next and made the postseason all three seasons Hale was the bench coach under Bob Melvin. In a way, here he is again, starting new with a team that is far from the critics' choice after a 98-loss season. He is among many new pieces, including with chief baseball officer Tony La Russa, who is in his first full season overseeing the club. At the general manager meetings in November, La Russa said he would be disappointed if the D-backs did not win at least 82 games this season. Hale did not put a number on his expectations during his first press conference of spring training when pitchers and catchers reported Thursday, but he certainly agreed with the sentiment. "We want to be over .500, that's very important to the organization," Hale said. "Expectations are probably a little lower, but not for us in the room." How it will be done remains to be determined. "You can win divisions and games in many different ways. We're going to find out," Hale said. A core belief will be a respect for the game. "With the way we manage and coach and the guys play, you just try to play every out the best you can with the most intensity and the most focus and that will lead to wins," Hale said. "It's just the way they play and the way they respect their teammates. You can see it, as a guy whose been around the game for a long time. And we ask. We ask those questions during meetings. For the most part, this organization has a good good group of guys that way. We have to see it under fire." A core belief will be a respect for the game.

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"With the way we manage and coach and the guys play, you just try to play every out the best you can with the most intensity and the most focus and that will lead to wins," Hale said. "It's just the way they play and the way they respect their teammates. You can see it, as a guy whose been around the game for a long time. And we ask. We ask those questions during meetings. For the most part, this organization has a good good group of guys that way. We have to see it under fire." "There is a lot of unknown," Hale said. "I know what I have seen on video. I know what people say of other people. But when that hitter gets in the box, that's what will tell me. You can watch a guy throw a bullpen and he looks like Nolan Ryan, then you go in a game and he ca't get an out. When the hitters get in there, and the pitchers get on the mound for the hitters, then we'll find out what kind of guys we have." Hale began the discovery process after he was hired in November, calling or texting players. Having the pitchers and catchers already in camp at Salt River Fields and all of the players here shortly will facilitate things. "Stand with them. Talk with them. Get to know their families," Hale said. "Get to know what makes them tick. Everybody's different." The feedback Hale has received so far from texts and chats has been encouraging, he said. "The things that they've shown early on are really good signs of a team that can come together and win," Hale said. "But the character issue and the drive and all those things, we'll have to see. "There are ingredients to win, and one ingredient is talent. But it is not everything. The things that are being said, and different things I read on text are the perfect things I'm looking for, but we won't see it until we get under fire and see how they react with each other." The lack of success last season, even fueled as it was by an atypical number of injuries to key components, seems to be a motivating force. "It's human nature. No one likes to get laughed at, right," Hale said. "Ninety-eight losses is not good. They realize that, and some of the texts allude to that. Like 'I can't wait to get started and get after some people.' "

D-backs pitcher Daniel Hudson readies for comeback with open mind By Kevin Zimmerman / Fox Sports Arizona http://www.foxsports.com/arizona/story/d-backs-daniel-hudson-comeback-tommy-john-surgeries-021915 SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- History isn't kind to major league starting pitchers who have twice undergone Tommy John surgery.

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Daniel Hudson won't overlook those statistics, but it doesn't mean he won't begin spring training with a framework of a plan and some expectations to go with it. The 27-year-old missed more than two years of action after undergoing surgeries on his right elbow in 2012 and again in 2013, and though Hudson is preparing for spring training like a starter, he's not focused on how the D-Backs will use him. It's about Hudson doing everything to play one inning, two, maybe three at a time when the regular season hits. If it becomes more, all the better. For now, Hudson is feeling good and relishing something he's not tasted through two long rehabs. "You feel like a player again, to be honest with you," Hudson said Thursday, when pitchers and catchers officially reported to Salt River Fields for spring training. "(When injured) you're just going through the motions and going to watch five innings and leave, with no chances of getting in the game. You're going to break camp on the DL. Just knowing that stuff, it's tough mentally. "Doing it two years in a row was even worse. I'm just excited to get out there and actually go through the monotony with the guys -- and in a week we're going to be dog-cursing in the (pitcher fielding practices) and the covering first." The worst parts of spring training don't compare to the worst parts of wondering when he can throw a baseball in a major league game again. D-Backs Manager Chip Hale said Hudson looked strong throwing side sessions and believes that the team will find a place for him. Discussions regarding Hudson's future have been ongoing between Hale, Hudson, general manager Dave Stewart and chief baseball officer Tony La Russa. Hale stressed that Hudson will always have a say in such conversations. "Daniel is a special guy on this team," Hale said. "We're going to do everything we can to help him be healthy all year. That's his goal, our goal, is to pitch all season. Is he a starter? We don't know. Is it as a reliever? We don't know." The pitcher's inclusion in Arizona's deep, murky group of starting pitcher candidates to begin spring training is more about feeling things out. It's "easier to build up and go back down" if the starting group workload is too much, Hudson said. Where Hudson and the D-Backs go from there remains a mystery. "It's more guinea pig, guess-and-test type of thing," Hudson said. "We've thrown some ideas around. I'm going to start off on the starters routine. We'll just go for that, a couple weeks in, see how I feel and reevaluate from there." Hudson is realistic -- he won't be able to pitch 200-plus innings this season --but he's also optimistic. Hudson made three appearances toward the end of last season to shake the rust off,

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and that helped him get over a mental hurdle months ahead of spring training. "I felt good in September," he said. "You can't simulate a major league game. There was a little bit of soreness, but at the same time it was good to get that under my belt." Asked about the battle for the starting pitching spots to begin spring training, Hale couldn't help but chuckle. As many as 14 pitchers could be realistic options to start, Hale said, but Hudson stands out because, well, he's still standing. And once again, finally, he's throwing. "Most of the time you say, hey, if you can't do these things we really can't have you on the club," Hale said. "He is so special, he could come in one night and throw the last three innings of a game and if Addison Reed was down and finished the game, that's the stuff (Hudson) has. It's not a perfect world and we know that, and we're going to do whatever we can do to keep him healthy."

Baseball's back: Sights and sounds from D-backs' camp By Fox Sports Arizona http://www.foxsports.com/arizona/story/arizona-diamondbacks-sights-sounds-from-spring-training-021915 Here's a sampling of sights and sounds from Salt River Fields as Diamondbacks' pitchers and catchers reported to spring training on Thursday. (Photos embedded on webpage).

Chip Hale, Arizona Diamondbacks offering 'right answers' to questions about season ahead By Jules Thompkins / Arizona Sports http://arizonasports.com/42/1809192/Chip-Hale-Arizona-Diamondbacks-offering-right-answers-to-questions-about-season-ahead SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — In the wake of a 98-loss campaign in 2014 and a winter in which the public persisted in leveling its opprobrium upon the Arizona Diamondbacks, the organization's pitchers and catchers reported to spring training Thursday with something of a millstone hanging around their collective neck. They sought to lighten the burden with frequent allusions to "fresh starts," quoting a number of baseball's go-to truisms. Some pointed to the myriad of new players and the new leadership in the organization. Others footnoted injuries in their account of last year's woes. Several talked of the top-to-bottom talent in the organization. And they all seemed to believe what they were saying. First-year D-backs manager Chip Hale was pleased with the general outlook his team is sharing. "The things (they're saying) are the right answers," he said smiling. Hale, who was hired by the D-backs in October, played his part in that effort Thursday, rattling off positive, honest answers one

after another. He spoke of the motivation that comes with low expectations, the luxury of depth, his hopes for individual rebounds, the value of players who "respect the game." He addressed reporters by name after entering the room laughing, upbeat. "We have such a great amount of talent in the organization and if we're healthy, we feel like we're going to be able to compete," he said. "I feel good about it." Hale's players -- several of whom hadn't met him in person until Thursday -- sounded alike. "It's a fresh start for a lot of reasons," projected Opening Day starting pitcher Josh Collmenter told media gathered around his locker. "For one, we're 0-0 right now -- no one's in first, no one's in last." Technically, Collmenter's right, but things sure don't look level in the D-backs' National League West division. The defending World Series champion San Francisco Giants are set to play the favorite with the division-winning Los Angeles Dodgers trailing closely behind. A third California team, the San Diego Padres, look to be baseball's most-improved team, adding all of Matt Kemp, Wil Myers, James Shields and Justin Upton, among others, over the winter. The D-backs say they're not paying attention to that. First baseman Paul Goldschmidt was tracked down in the clubhouse Thursday, though not required to officially report to camp until next week, when position players are expected at Salt River Fields. He was asked if he agreed with a sentiment that Hale cast out over the offseason -- that the D-backs would surprise critics. "Yes I do," he said. "I just think we've got a really talented team. I don't know, maybe not ‘shock' people, because I don't really know what people are saying. But we'll go out there and we'll play hard and we'll play good and, like I said, we've got a talented pitching staff, talented position players. Guys are working hard and these are guys that are going to go out there and play the game the right way and win a lot of games, I hope." Hale was careful so as to not stifle the room with positive platitudes, addressing a few of the elephants along the way. "When a team loses 98 games, it's not hard to get their attention," he explained. Of course his players were talking about fresh starts and putting forth the gamut of other saccharine sentiments Thursday. It was only natural, Hale said. "It's human nature -- no one likes to get laughed out, right? Ninety eight losses is not good. They realize that." Beyond instinct, though, the first-time big league skipper trusts that his team truly believes the words coming out of their mouth. A Bay Area native, he recounted a phone call he received from his mother after signing on as third base coach with the Oakland Athletics.

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"My mother called me and said, ‘You're going to go with the A's?! They're terrible!' And then I'm like, ‘Well, wait a minute, mom -- we're going to be better than you think,'" he told. "And we ended up winning the division." Because of the 98 losses last season, the uncertainty in the rotation and what seemed to be a subscription to a rebuilding approach over the offseason, Hale still understands where the doubters are coming from. "The expectations probably are a little bit lower, but not for us in the room," he went on. One reporting player who hopes to make a splash under Hale after a disappointingly quiet 2014 in the minor leagues is right-handed pitching prospect Archie Bradley. An elbow injury kept him off the mound for much of the season, but the highly-touted 22-year-old was just 3-7 with a 4.45 ERA in 18 minor league starts in 2014. "I think it was pretty bad," he said of the effort. "I'm not going to sugarcoat it." Instead, he's using it as motivation for the months ahead, arriving in Scottsdale last month along with a throng of other players who are looking to right wrongs and reverse the D-backs' fate "To see veterans out here (for the last month) working alongside me and talking about how they want to turn this team around and they want to win, we've started to believe that and we do believe that," he said.

Mark Trumbo beats Arizona Diamondbacks in arbitration, will earn $6.9 million By Associated Press / Arizona Sports http://arizonasports.com/42/1809141/Mark-Trumbo-beats-Arizona-Diamondbacks-in-arbitration-will-earn-69-million ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Mark Trumbo has won his salary arbitration case against the Arizona Diamondbacks and will receive $6.9 million this year instead of the team's $5.3 million offer. Howard Edelman, Margaret Brogan and Edna Francis made the decision Thursday, a day after listening to arguments. A 29-year-old outfielder and first baseman, Trumbo hit .235 with 14 homers and 61 RBIs in 88 games last season, as compared to 34 homers and 100 RBIs in 159 contests the previous year. He was tied for the NL lead in homers and second in RBIs when he sustained a foot stress fracture less than a month into the 2014 season. Trumbo made $4.8 million last season. Teams lead players 6-5 with three cases pending. There had not been this many hearings since teams went 8-6 in 2001.

Josh Collmenter looks to lead young, undecided Arizona Diamondbacks' rotation By Jules Thompkins / Arizona Sports http://arizonasports.com/42/1809103/Josh-Collmenter-looks-to-lead-young-undecided-Arizona-Diamondbacks-rotation SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Most Arizona Diamondbacks pitchers and catchers -- and plenty of position players, for that matter -- have been hanging around Salt River Fields for a while now, but on Thursday, they reported for the official start of camp. A feeling of freshness was as palpable as one of unfamiliarity in the clubhouse, where 39 pitchers and catchers reported Thursday morning. Part of that newness is no doubt customary to spring training; names like Tim Crabbe and Blake Lalli and Justin Marks and Dan Runzler and Matt Pagnozzi can be seen on nameplates at camp every spring. But that only muddles the fact that there was serious turnover in the organization since this time last year. Only 17 players from the D-backs' 40-man roster entering spring of 2014 remained there Thursday. Standing at his locker, enveloped by a throng of cameras and microphones, Josh Collmenter was one of that remnant. "The beauty of it is we have jerseys, so the names are on the back," he joked while discussing the changes. Entering his fifth big league season with the D-backs, Collmenter is one of the few knowns on manager Chip Hale's pitching staff. Collmenter was 11-9 in 28 starts last year, posting a 3.54 ERA. He spent most of the previous two seasons in the bullpen, making 77 total appearances and combining for a 3.41 ERA. Beyond Collmenter, there are, indeed, mostly unknowns. "We have I think 18 starters that we're going to try to stretch out," the first-year manager explained to media on Thursday. "So, realistically, probably for the five spots, 12, 13, 14 guys. We'd like to go what guys have done in the past, but in this situation, if a guy jumps out at us in spring training, he could jump himself right onto the team." Given the circumstances, many view Collmenter as Arizona's Opening Day starter, though no such announcement is expected until near the end of spring training. The 29-year-old right-hander was asked about his role on the team this season, but was understandably hesitant to be too definitive. His tenure with the D-backs has been embroiled by turbulence; he's been in and out of the bullpen, both a reliable starter and a spring training disappointment. It had to be strange to be the constant. "It's kind of been a revolving door for me as opposed to a one-way street," he said. "And it's exciting to be back in the rotation. Hopefully last year kind of solidified that. "To potentially be Opening Day starter would be an incredible honor. (To have the chance) to get the season off on the right foot and get us some momentum going right out of the gate, who knows what will happen."

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Collmenter is far from a traditional front-end ace. His fastball averaged a modest 87 miles per hour in 2014 and his critics have often disparaged him for depending on a gimmicky delivery to get results. But he has qualms with the modern interpretation of an "ace." "(Being an ace) is more just a mentality," he explained. "The term just kind of gets thrown on who everyone thinks is an ace, but yeah -- you want to be able to set the tone and the example and just be a leader, whether it's vocally or just by example or how you carry yourself." As Collmenter knows well, whether he's at the top of the rotation or occupying the long spot in the bullpen, it's results -- not roles or perceptions -- that matter. "You've got to do your job, no matter if you're 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 -- and those numbers are almost as arbitrary as (random) numbers on a sheet of paper," he went on. "Everybody has to pull their own weight and as a rotation, you kind of all want to be number ones you want to take the ball and hand it off to the next guy. And if hitting is contagious, pitching is just the same. You know, if one guy does well, you kind of just want to hand that over." It seems the D-backs will need something -- whether a pitching virus, like Collmenter described, or a breakout year or two -- to stimulate their rotation, which looks to have as many as 14 hurlers competing for four spots, as Hale pointed out. This kind of openness -- or uncertainty -- in the rotation is unlike anything Collmenter has witnessed in baseball. But he sees that as a positive; he sees depth behind him. "Usually, just one spot is up for grabs," he explained. "It's as wide a group of guys as I've seen." He's embracing the belief that the opportunity will be healthy for all. Different groups make up the competition pool. There are a few who have been around, like Chase Anderson, Trevor Cahill, Vidal Nuño, Randall Delgado, even Daniel Hudson. There are the newcomers -- former American League Rookie of the Year Jeremy Hellickson, Robbie Ray, Rubby de la Rosa, Allen Webster. And then there's the prospects -- Aaron Blair, Archie Bradley, Andrew Chafin, A.J. Schugel and Braden Shipley. (Pitchers Patrick Corbin and Bronson Arroyo are recovering from Tommy John surgery and are expected to rejoin the team at separate times during the regular season. "Competition always fosters the best in everybody," he continued. "So people are pushing at each other and the young guys are obviously nipping at the heels of everybody else. Baseball is a ‘what have you done for me lately?' kind of sport, so you have to prove yourself time and time again. The more people you have competing for that, the better it is for everybody. I think it's going to be good for the guys and I think it's going to be good for the club." As for his own spot, he was careful to be diplomatic and humble. It was the very first day of camp, after all. "We'll see how spring training goes," he said. "Obviously, you don't have to make any decisions right now, so it's ultimately going to be on what happens in spring. But just entertaining the

thought is exciting and it will be a unique opportunity for myself."

Hale opens Diamondbacks camp with clean slate By Mark Brown / Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/article/hale-opens-diamondbacks-camp-with-clean-slate When the team you just took over as manager finished with 96 losses the previous season and compiled the worst record in the majors, there’s nowhere else to go but up. Yet, for Diamondbacks’ new manager Chip Hale, he hasn’t quite figured out the path. According to Hale, that’s a winding and evolving process at work, and while Hale and decision-makers within the front office are armed with charts, reports, analytics and analysis, there is no magic formula. In his initial media briefing of the spring Thursday afternoon at Salt River, Hale was essentially evasive on most questions, but the glean in his eye indicated he wanted to reveal more. At this point of spring training, on the day when pitchers and catchers reported to the Diamondbacks’ spring training facility and no formal, team workouts were held, Hale left crater-type holes through several questions. His common refrain indicated that the evaluation process will evolve, and decisions will be clearer once games commence. Otherwise, Hale showed his usual, energetic self, and displayed his customary animated personality. Within the 30-minute session, Hale empathized two themes. First, he said players much respect the game, and the evaluation process will be conducted over the course of the six-week spring training experience. Because he is just starting out, Hale indicated he has nothing to grasp and little to offer in answering defining questions. “When I was the bench coach at Oakland, and if a player did not respect the game or manager (Bob Melvin), you were moved to another team,” Hale said. “We’re looking for guys will respect the game. This is all about who you are.” Peppered with questions about personnel, Hale’s response was usually the same, wait until the pre-season games and see how things develop. Here, he was close to giving pitcher Daniel Hudson, recovering from two Tommy John surgeries, an ultimatum. In attempting to regain his glory from the 2011 season, in which Hudson went 16-12, a 3.49 ERA and struck out 169 batters in 222 innings of work in helping the Diamondbacks capture the National League West Division title, Hudson was activated last September (0-1, 13.50 ERA in three appearances), but shut down for the final 10 days of the season.

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Now with a strong strength and conditioning, off-season program, the native of Virginia Beach, Va. is on the radar screen, along as many as 18 others according to Hale, to contend for a starting spot. Nonetheless, Hale was direct in assessing Hudson at this point of spring training. “At some point, we will have to make a decision on (Hudson),” Hale pointed out. “He is a special guy and because he underwent two Tommy John surgeries, our goal, and his, is to keep him healthy. We need to do what’s best for him.” That puts Hudson in the center ring of the Diamondbacks quest to improve. Among potential starters obtained in the off-season, Hale delivered praise for Rubby De La Rosa and Allen Webster, both acquired from the Red Sox, for the health and condition of Jeremy Hellickson, obtain from the Rays and, what Hale called “electric stuff” from left-hander Robby Ray picked up from the Tigers. Still, no commitment as to a possible rotation and Hale continued to emphasize the evolution of spring training as dictating a principal time-table in which decisions will be made. In his best effort, general manager Dave Stewart went out in the off-season and attempted to improve the overall lot of the team. In that regard, Hale indicated there exists a certain criteria which separates championship teams from others. “To win, you have to have talent, but talent is not solely everything,” Hale said. “A winning team results from how players relate to one another. For me, that’s the most important aspect of spring training we need to find out.” M*A*S*H UNIT Hale indicated the medical staff is holding back relievers Addison Reed and Matt Stites for a few days. Both suffered discomfort during the previous days of throwing on the side and the decision was made for rest. Shortstop Chris Owings recovering from left shoulder surgery in the offseason, will not play in the first eight-10 pre-season games. Reliever Matt Reynolds, coming off Tommy John surgery last spring, is cleared to throw at a competitive level. The 30-year-old native of St. Charles, Ill. will likely compete with Oliver Perez as the left-handed set-up reliever out of the bullpen. “Matt is all go,” Hale indicated. THE WINNER IS … Coming into camp Thursday, the Diamondbacks were one player short. Outfielder Mark Trumbo was not signed and opted for arbitration. The Diamondbacks offered $5.3 million and Trumbo wanted $6.9 mil. Late Thursday, an arbitrator ruled in Trumbo’s favor and he will earn that $6.9 mil.

Through an injured-plagued 2014 season, Trumbo appeared in 88 games, hit .235 with 14 home runs and drove in 61 runs. This was also the first time to Diamondbacks had an arbitration hearing since catcher Damon Miller won his case prior to the 2001 season. THE FIRST WORKOUT Pitchers and catchers stretch at 9 a.m. Friday and then begin formal drills. The workouts are free and open to all fans. The Diamondbacks ask that fans park in the Desert Lot and then proceeded to the practice fields

Six Arizona Diamondbacks among Baseball America's Top 100 prospects By Jim McLennan / AZSnakePit.com http://www.azsnakepit.com/2015/2/20/8073735/six-arizona-diamondbacks-among-baseball-americas-top-100-prospects?_ga=1.109789445.1865869542.1423074325 That's one more than we had in the MLB Top 100 prospects list which was revealed last month, with the obvious addition of Yasmany Tomas, who was not considered eligible for some reason: BA have him at #57. However, there are some sharp differences in the ranking of the other five players. Aaron Blair is the biggest beneficiary, being ranked at #40 by Baseball America, compared to the #81 ranking he received from MLB.com. Others moving up from the spots they had in the MLB rankings include Braden Shipley (#26 here, #39 with MLB) and Touki Toussaint, who is #71 by Baseball America, after barely making the MLB list at #98. Not so good news for Archie Bradley, however, who just manages to hang on to his position as Arizona's top prospect, coming in one spot ahead of Braden Shipley at #25. That's down from #15 in MLB's ranking, and is also a sharp drop from the #9 position he had in Baseball America's 2014 rankings. Shipley, incidentally, was #62 on that list, which also had Chris Owings as #66, who graduated to the majors last season, but it's still impressive to see Arizona doubling their number of entrants. Oh, and almost forgot Jake Lamb (shown above), who is #78 here, almost the same spot as he had on MLB's list (#80). They also give their grades for the prospects in various areas. These are on the standard scale for prospects, whose invention is credited to Branch Rickey, which goes from 20-80, for reasons explained elsewhere. Obviously, pitchers and position players are graded in different areas, and BA warns •#25. Archie Bradley - Fastball: 65. Curve: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 45. •#26. Braden Shipley - Fastball: 60. Curve: 55. Changeup: 55. Control: 50. •#40. Aaron Blair - Fastball: 60. Curve: 50. Changeup: 55. Control: 60,

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•#57. Yasmany Tomas - Hit: 45. Power: 70. Speed: 50. Defense: 50. Arm: 60. •#71. Touki Toussaint - Fastball: 60. Curve: 70. Changeup: 55. Control: 40. •#78. Jake Lamb - Hit: 50. Power: 60. Speed: 40. Defense: 50. Arm: 55.

What’s new At Salt River Fields in 2015? By AZ Big Media http://azbigmedia.com/featured/salt-river-fields-2015 The Arizona Diamondbacks will host Arizona State University for the first game in 2015 at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on March 3 and fans will have much to look forward to at the D-backs’ award-winning Spring Training facility, including a 3-D printer and a food truck featured on the hit TV show “Shark Tank.” The concessions at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick offer a diverse food selection and this year fans will be able to enjoy select fresh Maine lobster dishes from Cousins Maine Lobster food truck, as seen on “Shark Tank.” Another exciting addition this season includes Dunkin’ Donuts, which will feature freshly made donuts and hot and iced coffee. The Banana Boat Lawn will offer additional beer portables. Fans can also enjoy new food items at two grill cart portables, including beef, chicken or vegetable quesadillas, gluten-free options and fresh-made guacamole at Southwestern Fare (located along the 3rd base line main concourse) and three handcrafted gourmet sliders at Stolen Base Sliders (located along 1st base line main concourse). Also new in 2015, fans will be able to purchase a 32 oz. souvenir beer mug at all beer portables throughout the stadium in which fans will be able to bring back the mug for discounted refills through the duration of Spring Training. Fans can also look forward to a 3-D printer along the main concourse. Salt River Fields will be the first and only Spring Training venue to offer the advanced technology which can create custom busts and statues of fans in D-backs team colors, jerseys and logos for a unique keepsake. In the Team Shop, fans can choose from a wide selection of fun and colorful tie-dye merchandise by Liquid Blue. The Team Shop will also feature exclusive Spring Training merchandise such as a commemorative Rawlings game baseball including new MLB commissioner Rob Manfred’s signature as well as the Salt River Fields logo. The Salt River Fields Team Shop is now open and will include popular MLB licensees such as Nike, New Era, Majestic and ’47 Brand. D-backs players will sign autographs for free, courtesy of Wyndham Vacation Ownership, before each home game from 11:45 a.m.-Noon on day games and from 5:45-6:00 p.m. on night games. Also new in 2015 is an expanded souvenir program available for $2 which includes 12 commemorative baseball trading cards featuring D-backs and Rockies players. Tickets for Spring Training games at Salt River Fields start at $9 and can be purchased at www.dbacks.com/spring or by calling 480.362.WINS. Fans can also enjoy games from one of three shaded party decks with the comfort of padded seats on the second and third levels and expansive views of the entire field

with majestic mountain vistas in the background for as low as $20.

Diamondbacks tickets go on sale By Breann Bierman / KPHO.com http://www.kpho.com/story/28158329/diamondbacks-tickets-go-on-sale PHOENIX (CBS5) - Arizona Diamondback fans will be able to get their hands on single-game tickets for the upcoming season starting at 9 a.m. Friday. Tickets range from $10 to $68 depending on the team and section. You can buy tickets online or at the Chase Field box office. Pitchers and catchers arrived Thursday at Salt River Fields for training.

Diamondbacks honor memory of fallen fan By Fox10Phoenix.com http://www.fox10phoenix.com/story/28154388/diamondbacks-honor-memory-of-fallen-fan?clienttype=generic&mobilecgbypass PHOENIX (KSAZ) - A hero can come in many shapes and sizes, and for Anthem teenager, Tyler Hallsey, his heroism can be measured by the impact he's had on his family and friends. The young man found himself in a desperate battle for his life, but through it all he stayed positive and vowed to inspire others to do whatever it takes to overcome their difficulties. And it was that spirit that had a profound impact on the life of a former Arizona Diamondbacks player. Most sons want to grow up to be like their father; Chris Hallsey strives to be just like his son. "Do whatever it takes ourselves to be like him and overcome challenges like he did," said Chris Hallsey. Tyler Hallsey was a gifted child with diverse interests. "Loved sports, play baseball, piano, football, always a kid willing to give you a big hug and kiss, no matter how old he got," he said. A decision to buy Diamondbacks season tickets in 2006 brought the tight-knit Hallsey family even closer. "It turned into so much more than being fun; it bonded us as a family. The organization stepped up and made a huge difference in our lives when we needed it the most," said Chris. Life threw the Hallsey's a curve ball in 2012, after a possible concussion and then a choking incident. Tyler wasn't himself. "A few weeks later something was off, the spark in his eye wasn't there, he was losing his balance," he said.

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Nothing could have prepared them for the diagnosis at Phoenix Children's Hospital: an inoperable tumor on his brain stem. "Doctor came and explained and we were terrified, tears and crying, not understanding. 'Am I going to die?' he asked us after that," said Chris. After his diagnosis, Tyler sent a message to Diamondbacks Utility Man Willie Bloomquist, who had just gotten a Twitter account. "I'm probably the last person who would get a Twitter account, but I was talked into it by a sponsor," said Bloomquist. Bloomquist quickly called Tyler in the hospital and then visited him the next day. Initial shock and fear was followed by a steely determination. "He promised me he would fight, that's when he said, 'I'll do whatever it takes dad'," said Chris. Chris created a "Whatever It Takes" Facebook page, printed t-shirts, and made wristbands. "I felt the need to share, and he did too. He wanted to help people," he said. People rallied around him, including the Diamondbacks. Tyler received treats from the dugout from Bloomquist at games, a pizza party with Luis Gonzales and a Make-A-Wish trip to Disney World with Kurt and Brenda Warner. For a year, his tumor didn't grow; however, in early 2014 he got some devastating news. "We went in, the tumor was growing again; he cried. The doctor wiped tears from his eyes and told him we're never going to give up," said Chris. Tyler loved to write and often journaled. "The Diamondbacks have been truly amazing. Willie Bloomquist called to check" is the last thing Tyler wrote. "It hit me like a ton of bricks, knowing that was the last thing he said, I don't feel deserving of that," said Bloomquist. "Towards the end, he couldn't move anything on his body, he couldn't talk. But when he would wake up int he morning, he would wake up and his eyes were wide-open, smiling, and that was enough to give you everything you needed to get through the day," said Chris. Tyler passed away on July 13, 2014; he was 15. Chris has kept writing Facebook posts on the page; they are honest and raw. "I have bad days and look down on my wrist. He never felt sorry for himself. I swallow it and keep going." Chris says only 4 percent of cancer research dollars are spent on pediatric cancer research. In the past 20 years, only two new drugs have been developed to combat cancer in children.

Diamondbacks call Tucson's JCC 'grand slam' By Jackie Kent / Tucson News Now http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/story/28143401/diamondbacks-say-tucsons-jcc-is-a-grand-slam TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) - The Arizona Diamondbacks may not have spring training here anymore, but they haven't forgotten about Tucson. The president of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Derrick Hall, read a story to children at the Tucson Jewish Community Center on Feb. 18. He was also in Tucson to give the center the team's "Grand Slam Award" for its community service. As part of the award, the center will get more than $70,000 for a new indoor play structure as part of the center's campaign to expand and renovate the facility.

Arizona seeks to improve on 98-loss 2014 By Mohave Valley Daily News http://www.mohavedailynews.com/sports/arizona-seeks-to-improve-on--loss/article_e43a08a4-b8cc-11e4-a93e-6354a04a5fd2.html SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Pitchers and catchers reported for the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday and there are plenty of questions at both positions for new manager Chip Hale. Hale, bench coach for Bob Melvin in Oakland, took over for the fired Kirk Gibson. He said 12 to 14 pitchers have a chance to make the rotation. And he said the competition is “wide open” to replace departed catcher Miguel Montero. Hale said all eight catchers in camp have a chance to make the team. The Diamondbacks had the worst record in baseball last season at 64-98. Hale said that should provide motivation. “It’s human nature,” he said. “No one likes to get laughed at. “Ninety-eight losses is not good. They realize that.” With most of the position players on hand for informal workouts for the past few weeks, Hale said he has been getting to know the players. “What they’re saying is unbelievable and the things that they’ve shown to me early on are really good,” Hale said, “really good signs of a team that can come together and win. But the character issue and the drive and all these things, we’ll have to see.” Talking a good game is the easy part. “The things that are being said and different things I read on texts are the perfect things we’re looking for,” Hale said, “but we really won’t’ see it until we get under fire and see how they react with each other.”

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Two pitchers who probably are locks to make the rotation are Josh Collmenter and Jeremy Hellickson. Collmenter, 11-9 with a 3.46 ERA last season for Arizona, has moved from starter to long reliever and back to starter again. He could be the opening- day pitcher. “It’s kind of been a revolving door for me as opposed to a one-way street,” Collmenter said. “It’s exciting to be back in the rotation and hopefully last year kind of solidified that. ... To potentially be the opening starter would be an incredible honor.” Hellickson, acquired in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays, missed the first part of last season after undergoing surgery on his right elbow. When he returned, he struggled to a 1-5 record with a 4.52 ERA in 13 starts. The Diamondbacks are banking on him to return to his earlier form. In 2011, he was 13-10 with a 2.95 ERA and was American League rookie of the year. “He’s healthy again 100 percent for the first time in a while,” Hale said. “He feels it. “The trainers feel like he’s ready to go and compete. He’s a very good competitor.” Performance in spring training could determine the rest of the rotation. “We like to go on what guys have done in the past, their seasons last year for example,” Hale said. “But in this situation if a guy jumps out at us in spring training he could jump himself right on the team.” Peter O’Brien, a minor leaguer obtained from the New York Yankees last year in the Martin Prado trade, has a reputation as a good hitter with suspect defense. “O’Brien has worked really hard with (bench coach and former catching instructor) Glen Sherlock all year. He’s been here every day working,” Hale said. “He can be really special.” Another candidate, the manager said, is Oscar Hernandez, “an exciting Rule five guy that you guys are really going to like.” Hale said he and Diamondback head of baseball operations Tony La Russa have talked about how to proceed this spring. “For us, the way you teach is to go back and start at ground zero,” he said. “When a team loses 98 games, it’s not hard to get their attention.” Trumbo beats D-backs for $6.9 million in arbitration ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Mark Trumbo has won his salary arbitration case against the Arizona Diamondbacks and will get a $6.9 million salary this year instead of the team’s $5.3 million offer.

Howard Edelman, Margaret Brogan and Edna Francis made the decision Thursday, a day after listening to arguments. A 29-year-old outfielder and first baseman, Trumbo hit .235 with 14 homers and 61 RBIs last season, down from 34 homers and 100 RBIs the previous year. He was tied for the NL lead in homers and second in RBIs when he sustained a foot stress fracture less than a month into the season. Trumbo made $4.8 million last season. Teams lead players 6-5 with three cases pending. There had not been this many hearings since teams went 8-6 in 2001.

BREAKDOWN: How Diamondbacks look headed into Spring Training By Associated Press / ABC15.com http://www.abc15.com/sports/sports-blogs-local/breakdown-how-diamondbacks-look-headed-into-spring-training Check out a look at the Arizona Diamondbacks as they enter spring training, including key players acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catchers, and the full squad: Manager: Chip Hale (first season). 2014: 64-98, fifth place. Training Town: Scottsdale, Arizona. Park: Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. First Workout: Feb. 20/25. He's Here: 3B-OF Yasmani Tomas, RHP Jeremy Hellickson, RHP Allen Webster, LHP Vidal Nuno, RHP Rubby De La Rosa, LHP Robbie Ray. He's Outta Here: Manager Kirk Gibson, C Miguel Montero, SS Didi Gregorius, LHP Wade Miley. Going campin': There are changes galore for the Diamondbacks at the start of Tony La Russa's first full season as head of the franchise's baseball operations. Hale, most recently Bob Melvin's bench coach in Oakland, takes over for the fired Gibson, with Dave Stewart the new GM. Many questions loom. Only two pitchers, Hellickson and Josh Collmenter, seem to be locks to make the rotation, with a large group of contenders for the other three spots. Patrick Corbin, coming off Tommy John surgery, won't be ready until at least June. Then there's the void at catcher, where longtime minor leaguer and last year's backup, Tuffy Gosewisch, is the heir apparent to Montero. The other catcher on the major league roster is Oscar Hernandez, who was in Class A last season. The team signed 12-year major league veteran Gerald Laird to a minor league contract. The Diamondbacks will be looking to see if Tomas, their top offseason acquisition, can play third base.

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Otherwise he goes to left field, with another suspect defender in right: Mark Trumbo.

Uncertainty abounds for new D-Backs manager Chip Hale By AP / USA Today http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2015/02/19/uncertainty-abounds-for-new-d-backs-manager-chip-hale/23711501/ SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Pitchers and catchers reported for the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday and there are plenty of questions at both positions for new manager Chip Hale. Hale, bench coach for Bob Melvin in Oakland, took over for the fired Kirk Gibson, He says 12 to 14 pitchers have a chance to make the rotation. And he says the competition is "wide open" to replace departed catcher Miguel Montero. Hale says all eight catchers in camp have a chance to make the team. The Diamondbacks had the worst record in baseball last season at 64-98. Hale said that should provide motivation. "It's human nature," he said. "No one likes to get laughed at. Ninety-eight losses is not good. They realize that." With most of the position players on hand for informal workouts for the past few weeks, Hale said he has getting to know the players. "What they're saying is unbelievable and the things that they've shown to me early on are really good," Hale said, "really good signs of a team that can come together and win. But the character issue and the drive and all these things, we'll have to see." Talking a good game is the easy part. "The things that are being said and different things I read on texts are the perfect things we're looking for," Hale said, "but we really won't' see it until we get under fire and see how they react with each other." Two pitchers who probably are locks to make the rotation are Josh Collmenter and Jeremy Hellickson. Collmenter, 11-9 with a 3.46 ERA last season for Arizona, has moved from starter to long reliever and back to starter again. He could be the opening day pitcher. "It's kind of been a revolving door for me as opposed to a one-way street," Collmenter said. "It's exciting to be back in the rotation and hopefully last year kind of solidified that. ... To potentially be the opening starter would be an incredible honor." Hellickson, acquired in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays, missed the first part of last season after undergoing surgery on his right elbow. When he returned, he struggled to a 1-5 record with a 4.52 ERA in 13 starts. The Diamondbacks are banking on him

to return to his earlier form. In 2011, he was 13-10 with a 2.95 ERA and was American League rookie of the year "He's healthy again 100 percent for the first time in a while," Hale said. "He feels it. The trainers feel like he's ready to go and compete. He's a very good competitor." Performance in spring training could determine the rest of the rotation. "We like to go on what guys have done in the past, their seasons last year for example," Hale said. "But in this situation if a guy jumps out at us in spring training he could jump himself right on the team." Peter O'Brien, a minor leaguer obtained from the New York Yankees last year in the Martin Prado trade, has a reputation as a good hitter with suspect defense. "O'Brien has worked really hard with (bench coach and former catching instructor) Glen Sherlock all year. He's been here every day working," Hale said. "He can be really special." Another candidate, the manager said, is Oscar Hernandez, "an exciting rule five guy that you guys are really going to like." Hale said he and Diamondback head of baseball operations Tony La Russa have talked about how to proceed this spring. "For us, the way you teach is to go back and start at ground zero," he said. "When a team loses 98 games, it's not hard to get their attention." Outfielder Mark Trumbo won his arbitration case with Arizona on Thursday, awarded the $6.9 million he had sought. He was the first Diamondback to go to arbitration since 2001.

Pedro Alvarez and Mark Trumbo win in salary arbitration By AP / USA Today http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2015/02/19/pedro-alvarez-and-mark-trumbo-win-in-salary-arbitration/23706721/ ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Pedro Alvarez and Mark Trumbo won their salary arbitration cases Thursday, and Atlanta pitcher Mike Minor became the 12th player to go to a hearing this year. Alvarez was awarded a $5.75 million salary instead of Pittsburgh's $5.25 million offer by Robert Herzog, James Oldham and Dan Brent, who heard arguments Wednesday. Alvarez, 28, hit .231 with 18 homers and 56 RBIs last year, his poorest season since 2011. He has made 79 errors at third base during the last three seasons, and the Pirates plan to shift him to first. Taken by the Pirates with the second overall pick in the 2008 amateur draft, Alvarez made $4.25 million last year. Pittsburgh beat second baseman Neil Walker in arbitration and lost to right-hander Vance Worley.

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Trumbo was awarded his $6.9 million request by Howard Edelman, Margaret Brogan and Edna Francis rather than Arizona's $5.3 million offer. A 29-year-old outfielder and first baseman, Trumbo hit .235 with 14 homers and 61 RBIs last season, down from 34 homers and 100 RBIs the previous year. He was tied for the NL lead in homers and second in RBIs when he sustained a foot stress fracture less than a month into the season. Trumbo made $4.8 million last season. Minor asked Mark Burstein, Gil Vernon and Brent to award him $5.6 million, and the Braves argued for $5.1 million. The 27-year-old left-hander was 6-12 with a 4.77 ERA in 25 starts last year, when he missed the first month of the season because of shoulder soreness. He made $3.85 million. He went 13-9 with a 3.21 ERA in 2013. Teams lead players 6-5, the most decisions since teams went 8-6 in 2001. Baltimore outfielder Alejandro de Aza and Seattle right-hander Tom Wilhelmsen remain scheduled for hearings.

Mark Trumbo beats D-backs in arbitration, will earn $6.9 million By AP / Fox Sports http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/arizona-diamondbacks-lose-arbitration-case-to-mark-trumbo-021915 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Mark Trumbo has won his salary arbitration case against the Arizona Diamondbacks and will get a $6.9 million salary this year instead of the team's $5.3 million offer. Howard Edelman, Margaret Brogan and Edna Francis made the decision Thursday, a day after listening to arguments. A 29-year-old outfielder and first baseman, Trumbo hit .235 with 14 homers and 61 RBI last season, down from 34 homers and 100 RBI the previous year. He was tied for the National League lead in homers and second in RBI when he sustained a foot stress fracture less than a month into the season. Trumbo made $4.8 million last season. Teams lead players 6-5 with three cases pending. There had not been this many hearings since teams went 8-6 in 2001.

Trumbo beats D-backs in arbitration, will earn $6.9 million By AP / Yahoo! Sports http://sports.yahoo.com/news/trumbo-beats-d-backs-arbitration-earn-6-9-192107586--mlb.html ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- Mark Trumbo has won his salary arbitration case against the Arizona Diamondbacks and will get a $6.9 million salary this year instead of the team's $5.3 million offer.

Howard Edelman, Margaret Brogan and Edna Francis made the decision Thursday, a day after listening to arguments. A 29-year-old outfielder and first baseman, Trumbo hit .235 with 14 homers and 61 RBIs last season, down from 34 homers and 100 RBIs the previous year. He was tied for the NL lead in homers and second in RBIs when he sustained a foot stress fracture less than a month into the season. Trumbo made $4.8 million last season. Teams lead players 6-5 with three cases pending. There had not been this many hearings since teams went 8-6 in 2001.

Top 100 Prospects: By The Tools By Baseball America http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/top-100-prospects-tools-2/ The 25th Anniversary edition of the Top 100 Prospects list continues the rich history of the definitive list of baseball’s up and coming talent. For this year’s list, we’ve broken out each player’s component tools, rated on the 20-80 scouting scale, with 20 the lowest, 80 the highest and 50 considered major league average. Keep in mind that these grades carry considerable risk, so take them with a grain of salt. The Baseball America editorial staff votes on the list and then meets to hammer out the final version, led by editor-in-chief John Manuel and managing editor J.J. Cooper. Rank Player, Pos Org Age ETA 1. Kris Bryant, 3b Cubs 23 2015 Grades: Hit: 60. Power: 80. Speed: 50. Defense: 50. Arm: 60. 2. Byron Buxton, of Twins 21 2016 Grades: Hit: 70. Power: 60. Speed: 80. Defense: 80. Arm: 70. 3. Addison Russell, ss Cubs 21 2016 Grades: Hit: 60. Power: 60. Speed: 55. Defense: 50. Arm: 50. 4. Carlos Correa, ss Astros 20 2016 Grades: Hit: 65. Power: 60. Speed: 50. Defense: 55. Arm: 70. 5. Corey Seager, ss Dodgers 20 2016 Grades: Hit: 70. Power: 60. Speed: 40. Defense: 60. Arm: 60. 6. Joey Gallo, 3b Rangers 21 2015 Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 80. Speed: 40. Defense: 40. Arm: 70. 7. Lucas Giolito, rhp Nationals 20 2016 Grades: Fastball: 80. Curve: 70. Changeup: 60. Control: 60.

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8. Joc Pederson, of Dodgers 22 2015 Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 60. Speed: 55. Defense: 50. Arm: 55. 9. Francisco Lindor, ss Indians 21 2015 Grades: Hit: 65. Power: 40. Speed: 55. Defense: 70. Arm: 60. 10. Julio Urias, lhp Dodgers 18 2016 Grades: Fastball: 60. Curve: 70. Changeup: 70. Control: 60. 11. Noah Syndergaard, rhp Mets 22 2015 Grades: Fastball: 70. Curve: 60. Changeup: 55. Control: 60. 12. Jorge Soler, of Cubs 23 2015 Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 70. Speed: 50. Defense: 50. Arm: 70. 13. Miguel Sano Twins 22 2015 Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 70. Speed: 40. Defense: 45. Arm: 70. 14. J.P. Crawford, ss Phillies 20 2016 Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 50. Speed: 45. Defense: 65. Arm: 60. 15. Carlos Rodon, lhp White Sox 22 2015 Grades: Fastball: 65. Slider: 70. Changeup: 50. Control: 45. 16. Tyler Glasnow, rhp Pirates 21 2016 Grades: Fastball: 80. Curve: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 50. 17. Blake Swihart, c Red Sox 22 2015 Grades: Hit: 60. Power: 50. Speed: 50. Defense: 65. Arm: 60. 18. Daniel Norris, lhp Blue Jays 21 2015 Grades: Fastball: 60. Slider: 60. Curve: 50. Changeup: 60. Control: 50. 19. Kyle Schwarber, c/of Cubs 22 2016 Grades: Hit: 60. Power: 60. Speed: 50. Defense: 40. Arm: 50. 20. Alex Jackson, of Mariners 19 2017 Grades: Hit: 60. Power: 70. Speed: 40. Defense: 50. Arm: 60. 21. Rusney Castillo, of Red Sox 27 2015 Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 55. Speed: 60. Defense: 55. Arm: 50. 22. David Dahl, of Rockies 20 2016 Grades: Hit: 60. Power: 55. Speed: 60. Defense: 60. Arm: 55. 23. Robert Stephenson, rhp Reds 22 2016

Grades: Fastball: 70. Curve: 70. Changeup: 50. Control: 50. 24. Jon Gray Rockies 23 2015 Grades: Fastball: 70. Curve: 50. Changeup: 55. Control: 50. 25. Archie Bradley Diamondbacks 22 2015 Grades: Fastball: 65. Curve: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 45. 26. Braden Shipley Diamondbacks 22 2016 Grades: Fastball: 60. Curve: 55. Changeup: 55. Control: 50. 27. Aaron Sanchez, rhp Blue Jays 22 2015 Grades: Fastball: 70. Curve: 60. Changeup: 60. Control: 40. 28. Raul A. Mondesi, ss Royals 19 2018 Grades: Hit: 60. Power: 45. Speed: 70. Defense: 60. Arm: 60. 29. Jameson Taillon, rhp Pirates 23 2015 Grades: Fastball: 70. Curve: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 50. 30. Dalton Pompey, of Blue Jays 22 2015 Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 50. Speed: 60. Defense: 70. Arm: 55. 31. Mark Appel, rhp Astros 23 2015 Grades: Fastball: 60. Slider: 60. Changeup: 65. Control: 50. 32. Michael Taylor Nationals 24 2015 Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 60. Speed: 60. Defense: 70. Arm: 60. 33. Steve Matz, lhp Mets 22 2015 Grades: Fastball: 70. Curve: 50. Changeup: 60. Control: 50. 34. Matt Wisler Padres 22 2015 Grades: Fastball: 60. Slider: 60. Changeup: 55. Control: 50. 35. Luis Severino Yankees 21 2016 Grades: Fastball: 70. Slider: 50. Changeup: 70. Control: 60. 36. Jose Berrios, rhp Twins 20 2016 Grades: Fastball: 60. Curve: 50. Changeup: 50. Control: 55. 37. Steven Souza, of Rays 25 2015 Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 60. Speed: 55. Defense: 55. Arm: 60. 38. C.J. Edwards, rhp Cubs 23 2016 Grades: Fastball: 55. Curve: 55. Changeup: 55. Control: 50. 39. Aaron Nola, rhp Phillies 21 2015

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Grades: Fastball: 60. Curve: 50. Changeup: 55. Control: 60. 40. Aaron Blair, rhp Diamondbacks 22 2015 Grades: Fastball: 60. Curve: 55. Changeup: 55. Control: 50. 41. Austin Meadows, of Pirates 19 2017 Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 55. Speed: 50. Defense: 50. Arm: 50. 42. Andrew Heaney, lhp Angels 23 2015 Grades: Fastball: 55. Slider: 60. Changeup: 60. Control: 60. 43. Jake Thompson, rhp Rangers 21 2016 Grades: Fastball: 55. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 50. 44. Henry Owens, lhp Red Sox 22 2015 Grades: Fastball: 60. Slider: 45. Changeup: 55. Control: 50. 45. Brandon Nimmo, of Mets 22 2016 Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 55. Speed: 50. Defense: 50. Arm: 40. 46. Dilson Herrera, 2b/ss Mets 21 2015 Grades: Hit: 60. Power: 45. Speed: 50. Defense: 50. Arm: 45. 47. Jesse Winker, of Reds 21 2016 Grades: Hit: 60. Power: 60. Speed: 40. Defense: 45. Arm: 45. 48. Dylan Bundy, rhp Orioles 22 2016 Grades: Fastball: 70. Curve: 65. Changeup: 60. Control: 65. 49. Reynaldo Lopez Nationals 21 2016 Grades: Fastball: 80. Curve: 55. Changeup: 45. Control: 45. 50. Marco Gonzales, lhp Cardinals 23 2015 Grades: Fastball: 50. Curve: 45. Changeup: 70. Control: 55. 51. Alex Reyes, rhp Cardinals 21 2016 Grades: Fastball: 70. Curve: 60. Changeup: 55. Control: 45. 52. Tyler Kolek, rhp Marlins 19 2017 Grades: Fastball: 80. Curve: 60. Changeup: 45. Control: 45. 53. Aaron Judge, of Yankees 22 2016 Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 70. Speed: 50. Defense: 50. Arm: 55. 54. Jose Peraza, 2b Braves 21 2015 Grades: Hit: 60. Power: 30. Speed: 80. Defense: 55. Arm: 55.

55. Brandon Finnegan, lhp Royals 21 2015 Grades: Fastball: 60. Slider: 55. Changeup: 55. Control: 50. 56. Maikel Franco, 3b Phillies 22 2015 Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 60. Speed: 40. Defense: 50. Arm: 60. 57. Yasmany Tomas, of/3b Diamondbacks 24 2015 Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 70. Speed: 50. Defense: 50. Arm: 60. 58. Raisel Iglesias Reds 25 2015 Grades: Fastball: 60. Curve: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 50. 59. Eduardo Rodriguez, lhp Red Sox 21* 2015 Grades: Fastball: 60. Slider: 50. Changeup: 60. Control: 55. 60. Kyle Freeland, lhp Rockies 21 2016 Grades: Fastball: 60. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 60. 61. Nick Gordon, ss Twins 19 2018 Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 50. Speed: 55. Defense: 50. Arm: 60. 62. Alex Meyer, rhp Twins 25 2015 Grades: Fastball: 70. Curve: 45. Changeup: 50. Control: 40. 63. Kevin Plawecki, c Mets 24 2015 Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 45. Speed: 30. Defense: 50. Arm: 45. 64. Josh Bell, of/1b Pirates 22 2016 Grades: Hit: 60. Power: 55. Speed: 40. Defense: 45. Arm: 60. 65. Trea Turner, ss Nationals 21 2017 Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 45. Speed: 70. Defense: 55. Arm: 50. 66. Daniel Robertson, ss Rays 21 2016 Grades: Hit: 60. Power: 45. Speed: 40. Defense: 55. Arm: 55. 67. Jorge Alfaro, c Rangers 21 2016 Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 60. Speed: 50. Defense: 40. Arm: 70. 68. Hunter Harvey, rhp Orioles 20 2017 Grades: Fastball: 60. Curve: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 50. 69. Jeff Hoffman, rhp Blue Jays 22 2016 Grades: Fastball: 60. Curve: 60. Slider: 50. Changeup: 60. Control: 60. 70. Sean Newcomb, lhp Angels 21 2016

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Grades: Fastball: 60. Curve: 60. Changeup: 55. Control: 50. 71. Touki Toussaint, rhp Diamondbacks 18 2018 Grades: Fastball: 60. Curve: 70. Changeup: 55. Control: 40. 72. Manuel Margot, of Red Sox 19 2017 Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 50. Speed: 60. Defense: 60. Arm: 55. 73. Hunter Renfroe, of Padres 23 2016 Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 70. Speed: 50. Defense: 60. Arm: 60. 74. Grant Holmes Dodgers 19 2018 Grades: Fastball: 60. Curve: 60. Changeup: 55. Control: 50. 75. Kyle Zimmer, rhp Royals 23 2016 Grades: Fastball: 70. Curve: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 50. 76 J.T. Realmuto, c Marlins 24 2016 Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 50. Speed: 50. Defense: 55. Arm: 60. 77. Eddie Butler, rhp Rockies 24 2015 Grades: Fastball: 60. Curve: 50. Changeup: 55. Control: 50. 78. Jake Lamb, 3b Diamondbacks 24 2015 Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 60. Speed: 40. Defense: 50. Arm: 55. 79. Stephen Piscotty, of Cardinals 24 2015 Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 50. Speed: 45. Defense: 50. Arm: 60. 80. Michael Conforto Mets 22 2016 Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 50. Speed: 40. Defense: 45. Arm: 50. 81. Sean Manea, lhp Royals 23 2016 Grades: Fastball: 60. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 40. 82. Brian Johnson, lhp Red Sox 24 2015 Grades: Fastball: 55. Curve: 50. Slider: 50. Changeup: 55. Control: 50. 83. Billy McKinney, of Cubs 21 2016 Grades: Hit: 60. Power: 50. Speed: 50. Defense: 45. Arm: 45. 84. Willy Adames, ss Rays 19 2018 Grades: Hit: 60. Power: 55. Speed: 45. Defense: 50. Arm: 55. 85. D.J. Peterson, 3b/1b Mariners 23 2016 Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 60. Speed: 30. Defense: 40. Arm: 55.

86. Franklin Barreto, ss A’s 19 2017 Grades: Hit: 60. Power: 50. Speed: 60. Defense: 50. Arm: 55. 87. Nomar Mazara Rangers 19 2017 Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 60. Speed: 45. Defense: 40. Arm: 60. 88. Andrew Susac, c Giants 25 2015 Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 50. Speed: 30. Defense: 50. Arm: 60. 89. Alex Gonzalez, rhp Rangers 23 2015 Grades: Fastball: 50. Curve: 50. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 50. 90. Erick Fedde, rhp Nationals 22 2017 Grades: Fastball: 70. Slider: 70. Changeup: 55. Control: 55. 91. A.J. Cole Nationals 23 2016 Grades: Fastball: 55. Slider: 50. Changeup: 50. Control: 55. 92. Tim Anderson, ss White Sox 21 2017 Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 50. Speed: 70. Defense: 50. Arm: 55. 93. Tyrone Taylor, of Brewers 20 2016 Grades: Hit: 60. Power: 45. Speed: 55. Defense: 70. Arm: 50. 94. Orlando Arcia, ss/2b Brewers 20 2017 Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 40. Speed: 60. Defense: 60. Arm: 60. 95. Ryan McMahon, 3b, Rockies Rockies 20 2017 Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 60. Speed: 40. Defense: 50. Arm: 60. 96. Joe Ross, rhp Nationals 21 2016 Grades: Fastball: 55. Slider: 60. Changeup: 55. Control: 50. 97. Reese McGuire ,c Pirates 20 2017 Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 50. Speed: 45. Defense: 60. Arm: 55. 98. Amed Rosario, ss Mets 20 2018 Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 50. Speed: 60. Defense: 60. Arm: 60. 99. Rafael Devers, 3b Red Sox 18 2018 Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 60. Speed: 45. Defense: 50. Arm: 60. 100. Spencer Adams White Sox 18 2018 Grades: Fastball: 70. Slider: 60. Changeup: 50. Control: 50. *-Turns 22 on April 7

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Mark Trumbo wins his arbitration hearing By Craig Calcaterra / NBC Sports http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/19/mark-trumbo-wins-his-arbitration-hearing/related/ It’s a big day for the players. First Pedro Alvarez, now Mark Trumbo, who just won his arbitration case against the Diamondbacks. Trumbo will receive $6.9 million. The Dbacks filed at $5.3 million. Trumbo appeared in only 88 games last season due to a stress fracture in his left foot, but he still hit 14 homers in an era where power is increasingly rare. He averaged 32 homers and 94 RBI in his previous three seasons, which no doubt played into the arbitrators’ decision.

The Diamondbacks are signing a billion dollar TV deal By Craig Calcaterra / NBC Sports http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/02/19/the-diamondbacks-are-signing-a-billion-dollar-tv-deal/ The TV rights fees bubble has yet to burst. The latest beneficiaries of it: the Dbacks: The Diamondbacks became the latest team to cash in on baseball’s exploding local television market, agreeing to remain with Fox Sports Arizona under a contract that’s believed to be worth in excess of $1 billion. Sources would not provide details of the agreement, such as specific financial terms or even the length of the contract, but there are indications the deal is in line with expectations based on previous comments from club officials. Those expectations are for either a 15 or 20-year deal. According to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, the Diamondbacks currently take in around $31 million annually for their TV rights. If this new deal is for 15 years, it would triple that number on an annual basis, putting it north of $90 million a year. To put that in perspective, their 2014 payroll was only $108 million. As such, the club is not too terribly far from breaking even before they even sell a ticket, a hot dog, a t-shirt or a big foam finger.

Report: Diamondbacks ink $1 billion TV deal By Gabrielle McMillen / Sporting News http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2015-02-19/report-diamondbacks-stays-with-fox-sports-arizona-for-1-billion The Diamondbacks have reportedly sealed a lucrative television deal and will remain with Fox Sports Arizona, according to sources at azcentral.com. The deal is estimated to be worth at least $1 billion, but the sources wouldn't divulge in any other specifics. However, it seems that the parameters of the contract are based off the club officials' expectations. Diamondbacks officials were reportedly discussing 15- and 20-year contracts and tripling the annual value of the previous

television contract with Fox Sports Arizona, which was reportedly worth $31 million. At this point, almost a third of major league teams have signed lucrative television deals worth at least $1 billion.

Diamondbacks hit reset button for 2015 By Sports Xchange / Covers.com http://www.covers.com/articles/articles.aspx?theArt=408829 SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Arizona Diamondbacks are basically starting over, and after a 98-loss season, it is hard to blame them. Avoiding the 100-year flood of injuries that beset them last year would be a good first step. Tony La Russa, hired as the chief baseball officer last May, will enter his first spring training with the D-backs, who are new just about everywhere else in the front office and on the field. General manager Dave Stewart, vice president of baseball operations De Jon Watson and manager Chip Hale are in their first years on the job, and only five players -- first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, second baseman Aaron Hill, and right-handers Josh Collmenter, Daniel Hudson and Brad Ziegler -- remain from the 2011 National League West championship group, the last team to finish above .500 under former manager Kirk Gibson. "We want to be over .500, that's very important to the organization," Hale said. "Expectations are probably a little lower, but not for us in the room. You can wins divisions and games in many different ways. We're going to find out." The D-backs made inroads in the Cuban market in the offseason, signing third baseman/outfielder Yasmany Tomas to a six-year, $68.5 million contract and committing about $16 million in bonus money and taxes to right-hander Yoan Lopez. At the same time, they jettisoned salary by sending catcher Miguel Montero and his remaining $40 million to the Chicago Cubs and arbitration-eligible left-hander Wade Miley to the Red Sox, who signed him to a three-year, $19 million contract. Tomas will be given every opportunity to play third base, where he fits the team best, and with his power the D-backs figure to have plenty of middle-of-the-order pop around first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and right fielder Mark Trumbo, who is making the move from left field. Goldschmidt (two months) and Trumbo (11 weeks) were among the numerous D-backs who missed significant time because of injuries last season, a contributing factor in their drop to the bottom of the NL West. Center fielder A.J. Pollock and second baseman/shortstop Chris Owings, who also missed three months apiece in 2014, also are at the forefront of the new phase. Owings will start at either second base or shortstop, depending on whether Hill returns to form at second base or slick-fielding rookie Nick Ahmed is the choice at shortstop. The biggest questions revolve around the pitching staff. The composition of the starting rotation has never been more in flux in the 14-year history of the franchise than it is now. As many as 12 names have been suggested as possible rotation candidates,

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and while some are more likely than others, the sheer volume indicates the situation. Josh Collmenter and newcomer Jeremy Hellickson seem to be the only locks to make the rotation, Collmenter after his strong finish last season and Hellickson because of the resume he brings from Tampa Bay, where he had three seasons of double-digit victories before being sideline by bone chips last year. Newcomers Rubby De La Rosa is a strong candidate for the third spot, but the other two seem to be a full-blow competition between newcomers Robbie Ray and Allen Webster and holdovers Chase Anderson, Trevor Cahill and Vidal Nuno. Anderson tied for the NL lead among rookies with nine victories, and Cahill had four seasons of double-digit victories before falling off the map -- and accepting a minor league assignment -- last June. He returned, but never seemed right. Lopez throws in the mid-90s, but he is only 21 and may need assimilation time despite his four-pitch mix. Daniel Hudson made three relief appearances last September in a return from a second Tommy John surgery, and Stewart has said starting may be a way to best tailor Hudson's usage. Ray was acquired from Detroit in a three-way deal that sent shortstop Didi Gregorius to the Yankees, and both Randall Delgado and Andrew Chafin made a few starts last season. All-Star left-hander Patrick Corbin, whose Tommy John surgery last March was the biggest blow the D-backs felt last year, will not be rushed and is not expected back until perhaps June. Bronson Arroyo, who had mid-season Tommy John, hopes to return after the All-Star break. Addison Reed will close. The loss of Montero opens the catching position. Tuffy Gosewisch enters spring training as the nominal No. 1, and the D-backs signed veteran Gerald Laird to a minor league deal after claiming Oscar Hernandez in the Rule 5 draft. Stewart had said that big bat Peter O'Brien, obtained from the Yankees for Martin Prado at the 2014 trading deadline, could contribute behind the plate this year.

Trumbo Beats D-Backs In Arbitration, Will Earn $6.9M By AP / SportsTalkFlorida.com http://www.sportstalkflorida.com/trumbo-beats-d-backs-in-arbitration-will-earn-6-9m/ ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Mark Trumbo has won his salary arbitration case against the Arizona Diamondbacks and will get a $6.9 million salary this year instead of the team’s $5.3 million offer. Howard Edelman, Margaret Brogan and Edna Francis made the decision Thursday, a day after listening to arguments. A 29-year-old outfielder and first baseman, Trumbo hit .235 with 14 homers and 61 RBIs last season, down from 34 homers and 100 RBIs the previous year. He was tied for the NL lead in homers and second in RBIs when he sustained a foot stress fracture less than a month into the season.

Trumbo made $4.8 million last season. Teams lead players 6-5 with three cases pending. There had not been this many hearings since teams went 8-6 in 2001.

Arizona Diamondbacks - PlayerWatch By Thomson Reuters / GlobalPost.com http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/thomson-reuters/150220/arizona-diamondbacks-playerwatch 3B/OF Yasmany Tomas, the Cuban who signed a Jose Abreu-like $68.5 million free agent contact in early December, impressed Tony La Russa and Dave Stewart in his workouts in the Domincan Republic, and they feel he can fit at third base despite his relative inexperience at the position. Tomas, 24, will not be forced into the spot and could move to the outfield, but that is definitely Plan B. LHP Matt Reynolds (Tommy John) did not pitch last season after undergoing surgery in September, 2013, but after 17 months, he is expected to be at full strength when camp opens. RHP Addison Reed accepted the D-backs' contract offer of $4.875 million this season, avoiding an arbitration hearing an hour before it was scheduled to begin last week. Reed has filed for $5.6 million and the D-backs had countered with an offer of $4.7 million. Reed converted 32 of 38 save opportunities last season, his first with the D-backs and his second with at least 30 saves. He was 1-7 with a 4.25 ERA in 62 appearances in 2014. He also can make up to a reported $50,000 this season based on performance bonuses. "Any time you can get to a settlement is always better than the alternative, having to actually going into the room and go through the actual arbitration," D-backs general manager Dave Stewart said. LHP Patrick Corbin (Tommy John) was 11 months removed from his surgery when camp opened and will not participate in a normal spring throwing program. He is expected to return in May or June. 2B/SS Chris Owings (left shoulder) underwent surgery the week after the regular season and will be "eight to 10 games" behind in early spring. The D-backs also expect him to be ready for the start of the regular season, Hale said. RHP Bronson Arroyo (Tommy John) was playing catch at 75 feet as camp opened. There is no timetable for his return, but he should be expected back before the All-Star break. C Gerald Laird has a legit chance to make the team. A 12-year veteran, Laird, 35, is the most experienced of a catching corps that starts Tuffy Gosewisch and Rule 5 pick Oscar Hernandez. INF Nick Punto appears to have a chance to make the team. Punto, 37 and a veteran of 14 seasons, already has earned a $2.5 this season when Oakland exercised his 2015 option before letting him go, and he is a fall-back middle infield candidate if the D-backs want Nick Ahmed to play every day in the minors. RHP Brad Ziegler (knee) will be slightly delayed at the start of spring after undergoing microfracture surgery last August but is

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expected to be ready for the start of the regular season, manager Chip Hale said. RHP David Hernandez (Tommy John) underwent surgery a week after Patrick Corbin last March and is progressing on pace, although he will not be rushed. He is not expected back until May at the earliest. RF Mark Trumbo will play for $6.9 million this season after winning his arbitration case against the D-backs on Feb. 19. The D-backs had filed at $5.3 million. "I am looking forward to a great year and a big improvement, both personally and team-wise, from last year," Trumbo said. Trumbo, who is to move to right field from left slashed .235/.415/.707 with 14 home runs and 61 RBIs in 88 games last season, his first with the D-backs. He missed almost three months with a stress fracture in his left foot, going on the disabled list on April 22 after a hot start in which he had seven home runs and 19 RBIs in 21 games. His ratio of one RBI every 5.4 at-bat was a career-best. He averaged 32 homers and 94 RBIs in his three full major league seasons with the Los Angeles Angels from 2011-13.

Mark Trumbo Wins Arbitration Case Against the Diamondbacks By Jospeh Jacquez / Fansided.com http://venomstrikes.com/2015/02/19/mark-trumbo-wins-arbitration-case-diamondbacks/ This was the first time since Damien Miller in 2001 that the Diamondbacks had to go to an arbitration hearing to detirmine a players salary. Whether you like the arbitration process or not (and most baseball people would tell you it’s the worst part of the offseason), history was made today when the Diamondbacks went to an arbitration hearing with outfielder Mark Trumbo to determine his 2015 salary. The team’s first arbitration hearing in 14 years didn’t go in the Diamondbacks favor. CBS Sports Baseball Insider Jon Heyman first reported on twitter that Mark Trumbo won his arbitration case against the Dbacks. Trumbo will make $6.9 million in 2015. The Diamondbacks filed at $5.3 million. That is a large difference for a player that had an injury shortened 2014. Trumbo made $4.8 million last season, so it’s kind of surprising that he is going to make more money this year. Trumbo played in just 88 games in 2014, and hit 14 home runs, with 61 RBI’s in 328 at bats. The Diamondbacks are hoping that he can be the player he was with the Angels in 2013, and be a force in the middle of the lineup, as long as he is healthy.

Uncertainty abounds for new D-Backs manager Chip Hale By TBO.com http://tbo.com/ap/sports/major_league_baseball/uncertainty-abounds-for-new-d-backs-manager-chip-hale-ap_mlb_baseball59d993769ba04458bdc82f47239baf32

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Pitchers and catchers reported for the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday and there are plenty of questions at both positions for new manager Chip Hale. Hale, bench coach for Bob Melvin in Oakland, took over for the fired Kirk Gibson, He says 12 to 14 pitchers have a chance to make the rotation. And he says the competition is "wide open" to replace departed catcher Miguel Montero. Hale says all eight catchers in camp have a chance to make the team. The Diamondbacks had the worst record in baseball last season at 64-98. Hale said that should provide motivation. "It's human nature," he said. "No one likes to get laughed at. Ninety-eight losses is not good. They realize that." With most of the position players on hand for informal workouts for the past few weeks, Hale said he has getting to know the players. "What they're saying is unbelievable and the things that they've shown to me early on are really good," Hale said, "really good signs of a team that can come together and win. But the character issue and the drive and all these things, we'll have to see." Talking a good game is the easy part. "The things that are being said and different things I read on texts are the perfect things we're looking for," Hale said, "but we really won't' see it until we get under fire and see how they react with each other." Two pitchers who probably are locks to make the rotation are Josh Collmenter and Jeremy Hellickson. Collmenter, 11-9 with a 3.46 ERA last season for Arizona, has moved from starter to long reliever and back to starter again. He could be the opening day pitcher. "It's kind of been a revolving door for me as opposed to a one-way street," Collmenter said. "It's exciting to be back in the rotation and hopefully last year kind of solidified that. ... To potentially be the opening starter would be an incredible honor." Hellickson, acquired in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays, missed the first part of last season after undergoing surgery on his right elbow. When he returned, he struggled to a 1-5 record with a 4.52 ERA in 13 starts. The Diamondbacks are banking on him to return to his earlier form. In 2011, he was 13-10 with a 2.95 ERA and was American League rookie of the year "He's healthy again 100 percent for the first time in a while," Hale said. "He feels it. The trainers feel like he's ready to go and compete. He's a very good competitor." Performance in spring training could determine the rest of the rotation.

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"We like to go on what guys have done in the past, their seasons last year for example," Hale said. "But in this situation if a guy jumps out at us in spring training he could jump himself right on the team." Peter O'Brien, a minor leaguer obtained from the New York Yankees last year in the Martin Prado trade, has a reputation as a good hitter with suspect defense. "O'Brien has worked really hard with (bench coach and former catching instructor) Glen Sherlock all year. He's been here every day working," Hale said. "He can be really special." Another candidate, the manager said, is Oscar Hernandez, "an exciting rule five guy that you guys are really going to like." Hale said he and Diamondback head of baseball operations Tony La Russa have talked about how to proceed this spring. "For us, the way you teach is to go back and start at ground zero," he said. "When a team loses 98 games, it's not hard to get their attention." Outfielder Mark Trumbo won his arbitration case with Arizona on Thursday, awarded the $6.9 million he had sought. He was the first Diamondback to go to arbitration since 2001.

Diamondbacks Sign Billion-Dollar TV Deal By Al Yellon / SB Nation http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2015/2/19/8069917/diamondbacks-sign-billion-dollar-tv-deal The Arizona Diamondbacks, considered by many a small-market team, are going to jump into the big time with their new TV contract with Fox Sports Arizona: Sources would not provide details of the agreement, such as specific financial terms or even the length of the contract, but there are indications the deal is in line with expectations based on previous comments from club officials. For months, team officials have said the club was discussing 15- and 20-year contracts and that a new deal would at least triple the annual value of the team's previous agreement, which was set to run through this season. The previous deal is reportedly worth $31 million annually, which means even a 15-year deal would be valued at close to $1.4 billion if the club takes in three times as much per year. If those figures are correct, the D'backs would be raking in something on the order of $90 million a year, perhaps a bit more, if the "at least triple" part of that quote turns out to be true. Arizona's payroll last year was about $112 million, according to Cot's, and their estimated payroll for 2015 is about $89 million, according to baseball-reference.com. Which means, going forward, they could cover most of their player-payroll obligations before they sell a single ticket.

I'm sure the Cubs have dollar signs in their eyes after reading this. After all, the Cubs have a much bigger fanbase than the Diamondbacks, a much richer history, and play in a much larger television market. But the question remains: What will the baseball television landscape look like five years from now when the Cubs will have all their games up for bids? The D'backs deal won't have the issues that the Dodgers are having since Fox Sports Arizona is carried pretty much everywhere in the Phoenix area. However, with this large payment, will the network have to ask for larger carriage fees and risk being dropped by some carriers? That's the dilemma. We also don't know if baseball's entire means of transmitting games to fans will change by 2020. As you all know, cord-cutting is going on at a high rate of speed and there might not be these kind of RSN dollars available five years from now. Games could wind up getting streamed. There could be big money in that down the road, but we just don't know. Neither do we know yet whether the 70 Cubs over-the-air games will be available in markets outside Chicago and within the blackout areas of Illinois, Indiana and Iowa. Stay tuned, as they say.

Predicting the National League West as Baseball's Best Division Is Not so Absurd By Anthony Witrado / Bleacher Report http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2369750-predicting-the-national-league-west-as-baseballs-best-division-is-not-so-absurd Baseball has proved us all to be stupid time and time again. Not stupid in our intellect, but stupid in the way that we believe our intellect is so adept that we can predict what the hell will happen during the Major League Baseball season. Remember, we are dealing with the unpredictable grind of the longest season in professional sports only to find the game immersed in a one-month tournament dictated by more randomness than any other major sport. As the Harvard Sports Analysis Collective so astutely pointed out to us, baseball’s playoff system is as predictable as having all the participants draw straws for the World Series trophy. Yet we still predict. We still analyze. We still believe we can know. With that said, a soft prediction: The National League West can very well be the best division in baseball come the first weekend of October, and we aren’t just talking ballparks. @TheBaseballGuy5 I think it's safe to say that The NL West is now baseball's best division This is not outlandish thinking even with the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks expected to be well below .500. The division houses the World Series champion from three of the last five seasons (San Francisco Giants), a potential juggernaut

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with arguably the best 1-2 rotation punch in baseball (Los Angeles Dodgers) and a newly competitive team that did everything it could this offseason to legitimize its 2015 postseason chances (San Diego Padres). The James Shields signing makes the Padres a real threat after all their other positional and lineup upgrades over the winter. Matt Kemp is a potential MVP and might have been the best hitter in baseball after the All-Star break last year. Wil Myers is good enough to be the league’s best everyday player at age 24 or younger. And let’s not put a monster contract year past Justin Upton, who had a 132 OPS+ and won a Silver Slugger award in 2014. Let us also not forget that the Padres pitching staff was solid before it added Shields and low-risk, high-reward depth with Brandon Morrow and Josh Johnson. As for the Dodgers, the annual PECOTA projections at Baseball Prospectus see them as the best regular-season team in the majors at 97 wins. Sure, they lost Kemp and Hanley Ramirez, but the defensive upgrades of shortstop Jimmy Rollins, second baseman Howie Kendrick and center fielder Joc Pederson, as well as the defensive/offensive upgrade with Yasmani Grandal at catcher, make a three-game improvement for the Dodgers a reasonable feat. Plus, if Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke and Hyun-Jin Ryu can combine for something like a 14.5-15 WAR, the Dodgers being the top seed in the postseason is realistic. For comparison’s sake, the Washington Nationals’ trio of Max Scherzer, Jordan Zimmermann and Stephen Strasburg combined for 15.1 Wins Above Replacement last season while making 99 starts (according to the FanGraphs formula for WAR). The Dodger trio had a 14.6 WAR over 85 starts, so it’s feasible for it to reach 15 or higher in 2015. And we should not read too, too much into the Kenley Jansen injury. He could be back as soon as two weeks into the season or as late as mid-May. While it is not ideal, the rebuilt bullpen won’t have to rely on washed-up former closers like Brian Wilson or Brandon League to fill the ninth inning, and whoever they do give the ball to won’t have it for long. As for the Giants, their offseason was unimpressive, certainly. The rotation is murky at best, and PECOTA sees them as the third-worst defensive team in the NL. Still, the Giants have been counted out in each of their World Series years, so instead of making that mistake again, let’s just agree that they will find a way to be in the mix. After all, PECOTA has them as a wild-card team again, and my B/R predicted standings also have them as one of the teams involved in a tiebreaker for a wild-card spot. The Diamondbacks are not a playoff contender, but they are remaking their roster and rapidly improving, especially in their rotation. They also suddenly have the freedom to make expensive moves since their new TV contract with Fox Sports Arizona has them swimming with the other great whites. @azcsports

New #DBacks TV deal believed to be worth more than $1 billion, @nickpiecoro reports http://ow.ly/Jilmx Even with the Diamondbacks not ready to be October contenders yet, PECOTA still sees a 10-game improvement this season with a solid defense. The Rockies don’t impress anyone, but Troy Tulowitzki still projects to be an elite hitter with a 5.2 WAR via ZiPS projections, while third baseman Nolan Arenado continues his rise with a projected 3.2 WAR. As for Carlos Gonzalez, if he is healthy, his .283 BABIP last season—about 60 points lower than his career average—should rise and increase his productivity and value. The pitchers will still be mediocre, but if the lineup stays healthy, they shouldn’t be complete pushovers. As stated up top, these kinds of projections are subject to too many variables to be entirely confident in them. But they are a good jumping-off point, and PECOTA has the NL West with 410 total wins, the most in the league and the third most overall behind the American League West (419) and East (414). These picks are always fickle and always capable of making prognosticators look like fools. But if rosters stay relatively healthy and an impactful in-season move or two happen, the NL West can be the best in baseball.

Yankees' Tanaka has workout By AP / TimesUnion.com http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Yankees-Tanaka-has-workout-6090705.php Tampa, Fla. Masahiro Tanaka threw 21 pitches in his first bullpen session of the year at the New York Yankees' minor-league complex. The workout Thursday came one day before Yankees pitchers and catchers report for spring training. Tanaka missed 2 1/2 months last year while rehabilitating a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. He returned for two late-September starts. Neither Tanaka nor New York pitching coach Larry Rothschild spoke with reporters after the session. Tanaka smiled and waved while walking to a car. Signed to a $155 million, seven-year contract, Tanaka went 13-5 with a 2.77 ERA in 20 starts. Reds: Johnny Cueto would like to have a new contract before opening day. The 20-game winner knows the Cincinnati Reds might not want to pay him the going rate for a No. 1 starter, leaving his status in doubt as camp opens. Cueto is in the final year of his contract, making $10 million. If the sides don't reach an agreement, Cueto could be traded at midseason or leave as a free agent afterward. The 29-year-old is among the best in the majors, putting him in position to get a big deal. Since 2010, he's

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gone 65-32 with a 2.73 ERA. The sides have talked about an extension, but nothing is imminent. Rangers: Texas second baseman Jurickson Profar could miss his second straight season to have right shoulder surgery, which he had tried to avoid through rest and rehabilitation. Texas general manager Jon Daniels said Thursday that doctors recommended surgery in September, when Profar was told to stop playing for the third time since he aggravated a 2010 injury during spring training last year. Profar, who turns 22 Friday, won't be cleared for baseball activities until the summer. There won't be a timetable for his return until after surgery Monday. The procedure will be performed by team physician Dr. Keith Meister. Dodgers: Reliever David Aardsma has agreed to a minor-league contract with Los Angeles and will report to big-league spring training. The 33-year-old right-hander was 4-0 with 11 saves and a 1.29 ERA in 33 appearances for Triple-A Memphis last season and is 15-17 with 69 saves and a 4.23 ERA in 298 career major league games. The Dodgers opened spring training Thursday in Glendale, Ariz. Diamondbacks: Mark Trumbo has won his salary arbitration case against Arizona and will get a $6.9 million salary this year instead of the team's $5.3 million offer. Howard Edelman, Margaret Brogan and Edna Francis made the decision Thursday, a day after listening to arguments. A 29-year-old outfielder and first baseman, Trumbo hit .235 with 14 homers and 61 RBIs last season, down from 34 homers and 100 RBIs the previous year. He was tied for the NL lead in homers and second in RBIs when he suffered a foot stress fracture less than a month into the season. Trumbo made $4.8 million last season. Teams lead players 6-5 with three cases pending. There had not been this many hearings since teams went 8-6 in 2001. Cubs: A federal judge denied a request from rooftop clubs overlooking Wrigley Field to temporarily halt installation of signs they say will block their view and violate a contract they have with the team. U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall ruled that the "vague possibility" that installing the signs could affect rooftop businesses wasn't enough to grant a temporary restraining order. The ruling means the Cubs will avoid a setback as they renovate the historic ballpark.

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MLB notes: Judge sides with Cubs By NorthJersey.com

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http://www.northjersey.com/sports/baseball/mlb-notes-judge-sides-with-cubs-1.1274972 Judge sides with Cubs A federal judge denied a request from rooftop clubs overlooking Chicago’s Wrigley Field to temporarily halt installation of signs they say will block their view and violate a contract they have with the Cubs. U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall ruled that the "vague possibility" the signs could affect rooftop businesses wasn’t enough to grant a restraining order. Alvarez wins Pedro Alvarez beat the Pirates in salary arbitration and was awarded a $5.75 million salary. Pittsburgh had argued for $5.25 million. Alvarez, 28, hit .231 with 18 homers and 56 RBI last year, his poorest season since 2011. Trumbo beats D-backs Mark Trumbo won his salary arbitration case against the Diamondbacks and will get a $6.9 million salary this year instead of the team’s $5.3 million offer. A 29-year-old outfielder and first baseman, Trumbo hit .235 with 14 homers and 61 RBI last season. Bochy has heart procedure Giants manager Bruce Bochy was admitted to a hospital in order to insert two stents in his heart, according to CSN Bay Area. Bochy experienced heart discomfort during a routine physical. "[Bochy] is resting comfortably and will be released tomorrow," the team announced in a statement Thursday. Bochy is not expected to be at camp today. Profar needs surgery Rangers second baseman Jurickson Profar could miss his second straight season to have right shoulder surgery, which he had tried to avoid through rest and rehabilitation.

Pedro Alvarez beats Pirates in salary arbitration and Mark Trumbo defeats Diamondbacks By AP / Green Field Reporter http://www.greenfieldreporter.com/view/story/ef73af8fca324224a2a50c857f88bee4/BBO--Arbitration ST. PETERSBURG, Florida — Pedro Alvarez and Mark Trumbo won their salary arbitration cases Thursday, and Atlanta pitcher Mike Minor became the 12th player to go to a hearing this year. Alvarez was awarded a $5.75 million salary instead of Pittsburgh's $5.25 million offer by Robert Herzog, James Oldham and Dan Brent, who heard arguments Wednesday. Alvarez, 28, hit .231 with 18 homers and 56 RBIs last year, his poorest season since 2011. He has made 79 errors at third base

during the last three seasons, and the Pirates plan to shift him to first. Taken by the Pirates with the second overall pick in the 2008 amateur draft, Alvarez made $4.25 million last year. Pittsburgh beat second baseman Neil Walker in arbitration and lost to right-hander Vance Worley. Trumbo was awarded his $6.9 million request by Howard Edelman, Margaret Brogan and Edna Francis rather than Arizona's $5.3 million offer. A 29-year-old outfielder and first baseman, Trumbo hit .235 with 14 homers and 61 RBIs last season, down from 34 homers and 100 RBIs the previous year. He was tied for the NL lead in homers and second in RBIs when he sustained a foot stress fracture less than a month into the season. Trumbo made $4.8 million last season. Minor asked Mark Burstein, Gil Vernon and Brent to award him $5.6 million, and the Braves argued for $5.1 million. The 27-year-old left-hander was 6-12 with a 4.77 ERA in 25 starts last year, when he missed the first month of the season because of shoulder soreness. He made $3.85 million. He went 13-9 with a 3.21 ERA in 2013. Teams lead players 6-5, the most decisions since teams went 8-6 in 2001. Baltimore outfielder Alejandro de Aza and Seattle right-hander Tom Wilhelmsen remain scheduled for hearings.

MLB injury, news and rumors roundup for February 19 By Mike Axisa / CBS Sports http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/25074688/mlb-injury-news-and-rumors-roundup-for-february-19 Pitchers and catchers for 13 teams officially reported to spring training on Thursday. All but 12 teams have already opened spring training and every camp will be open by Sunday. Here is a recap of Thursday's news and notes from around the league. TRANSACTIONS Diamondbacks: Lost to 1B/OF Mark Trumbo in arbitration. He will earn $6.9 million instead of the $5.3 million the team was seeking. (Jon Heyman) Pirates: Lost to 1B/3B Pedro Alvarez in arbitration. He will earn $5.75 million instead of the $5.25 million the team was seeking. (Jon Heyman) Rangers: Signed IF Rougned Odor, the younger brother of 2B Rougned Odor. Seriously. Royals: Signed LHP Franklin Morales to a minor league contract, the team announced. HOT STOVE RUMORS

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IF Yoan Moncada: Has moved into the "contract phase" of the signing process, according to representative David Hastings. The Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, Padres and Brewers are among his suitors (Jon Heyman) ... The Yankees held a second private workout for Moncada on Wednesday. Angels: Discussing a contract extension with RHP Huston Street, who is acting as his own agent. He is seeking something between the four-year, $36 million deal Andrew Miller signed and the four-year, $46 million deal David Robertson this offseason. (Los Angeles Times) Blue Jays: Not currently involved in any trade talks regarding C Dioner Navarro. (Fox Sports) Cardinals: Not close to a contract extension with RHP John Lackey. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch) Dodgers: President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said he likes the team's internal options to replace the injured RHP Kenley Jansen, but they will remain "open-minded" about free agents (Orange County Register) ... RHP Zack Greinke will wait until after the season to decide whether to opt out of his contract (MLB.com) ... Showing some interest in free agent RHP Joba Chamberlain. (Fox Sports) Mariners: Interested in free agent LHP Joe Saunders as a reliever on a minor league contract. (Tacoma News Tribune) Phillies: GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said he expects LHP Cole Hamels to be with the team on Opening Day. Royals: RHP Greg Holland has interest in a long-term contract extension (Kansas City Star) ... Have recently scouted both LHP Phil Coke and RHP Alfredo Aceves. (Kansas City Star) INJURY UPDATES Angels: Manager Mike Scioscia confirmed 3B David Freese (ankle) and 1B/DH C.J. Cron (wrist) will have no restrictions in camp after having minor surgery in the offseason. (MLB.com) Athletics: An ultrasound on LHP Sean Doolittle's shoulder showed significant healing (MLB.com) ... RHP A.J. Griffin (Tommy John surgery) has already thrown three bullpen sessions. (San Francisco Chronicle) Diamondbacks: RHP Addison Reed has some minor arm soreness and will be held out of action for a day or two (Fox Sports Arizona) ... RHP Brad Ziegler (knee) is expected to be ready for Opening Day after having surgery in September (MLB.com) ... SS Chris Owings (shoulder) will be held out of the first 8-10 spring training games (MLB.com) ... RHP Bronson Arroyo (Tommy John surgery) has been playing catch from 75 feet. (Fox Sports Arizona) Giants: Manager Bruce Bochy confirmed RHP Matt Cain (elbow, ankle) is not yet throwing on the same schedule as the team's other starters (MLB.com) ... Bochy also said RHP Sergio Romo is dealing with shoulder soreness and will be limited to flat ground work for the time being. (CSN Bay Area)

Indians: 2B Jason Kipnis (finger) will hopefully be cleared to start swinging a bat next week and be cleared to play in games shortly after Cactus League action begins ... 1B/OF Brandon Moss (hip) is on pace to play in games in mid March following offseason surgery ... RHP Gavin Floyd (elbow) is only slightly behind the other pitchers in camp. (MLB.com) Padres: LHP Cory Luebke is about a month away from throwing off a mound as he rehabs from his second Tommy John surgery. (San Diego Union-Tribune) Rangers: IF Jurickson Profar will have shoulder surgery and is expected to miss the entire 2015 season. It's a devastating blow to Profar and the Rangers. Red Sox: OF Shane Victorino (back) expects to be at 100 percent by Opening Day. (Boston Globe) Yankees: RHP Masahiro Tanaka (elbow) threw 21 pitches in his first spring training bullpen session and reported no problems. (MLB.com) MISCELLANY Darren Daulton: Daulton, a long-time Phillies catcher, passed along good news about his battle with brain cancer. MLB: Will announce three pace of play rule changes on Frday. Managers will have to ask for challenges from the dugout, batters will have to keep one foot in the batter's box, and play will have to resume as soon as commercial breaks end. Cubs: 3B Kris Bryant was named the top prospect in baseball by Baseball America. Mariners: 1B Jesus Montero appears to have arrived to spring training in shape. Red Sox: 3B Pablo Sandoval fired back at critics after an unflattering photo surfaced earlier this week.

Diamondbacks' Chris Owings to miss 8-10 spring games By Chris Cwik / CBS Sports http://fantasynews.cbssports.com/fantasybaseball/update/25074598/diamondbacks-chris-owings-to-miss-8-10-spring-games Diamondbacks shortstop Chris Owings is expected to miss 8-10 spring games, according to MLB.com. Owings is coming off shoulder surgery, and the team wants to play it safe with the injury. The 23-year-old is expected to open the season as the team's starter at short. He hit .261/.300/.406 over 310 at-bats last year.

Diamondbacks' Reed, Stites slightly behind to begin camp By Chris Cwik / CBS Sports http://fantasynews.cbssports.com/fantasybaseball/update/25074594/diamondbacks-reed-stites-slightly-behind-to-begin-camp Diamondbacks reliever Addison Reed and Matt Stites will be behind the other pitchers to begin camp, according to MLB.com.

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Both players experienced some soreness during side sessions, though the issues are not thought to be serious. Reed and Stites were evaluated for injuries, but nothing significant was found. The club would like both players to rest for a couple days before returning. Reed posted a 4.25 ERA over 59 1/3 innings last year. Stites had a 5.73 ERA in 33 innings.

The Diamondbacks got a $1 billion TV deal By Joe Lucia / AwfulAnnouncing.com http://awfulannouncing.com/2015/diamondbacks-got-1-billion-tv-deal.html The recent trend of baseball teams getting absurd local TV contracts isn’t ending any time soon. The Arizona Diamondbacks are cashing in (as we wrote about in October), and reports indicate they’ll be getting over $1 billion over the life of the new contract, expected to run between 15 and 20 years. Think about that for a second – $1 billion for the Arizona Diamondbacks television rights. It seems ridiculous, but that’s the new market for MLB teams. More and more teams are cashing in, and Arizona is just the latest club to take advantage of that booming market. The money isn’t exactly a waste, either – the Diamondbacks were one of 11 teams to have the top local primetime rating in their market during the 2011 season. There’s another, more interesting part of Arizona’s new TV deal. Way back in October, Sports Business Journal reported that Fox had tabled negotiations with the Diamondbacks and Cardinals on new local rights deals until it could get a local streaming deal worked out with MLB. A couple of weeks ago, MLB and Fox were still butting heads over the details of in-market streaming. Could a Diamondbacks deal with Fox imply that an in-market streaming deal is on the horizon…or could it indicate that we’re not going to get in-market streaming this year? I’d hope it’s the former, because it would be silly for Fox to agree to a new contract with the Diamondbacks before the future of in-market streaming is known (unless there’s something provisional in this new contract). Opening Day is six and a half weeks away, and Spring Training games start in a week and a half. Hopefully, we have something more substantial in regards to in-market streaming by then.

Best Cuban Baseball Players Entering The 2015 MLB Season By Greg Price / IBTimes.com http://www.ibtimes.com/best-cuban-baseball-players-entering-2015-mlb-season-1822098 Add the name Hector Olivera to the quickly growing list of Cuban baseball sensations making their way to the Major Leagues at mind-blowing prices this upcoming season. As many as five teams are chasing the 29-year-old infielder, who’s been called a better prospect than the Arizona Diamondbacks’ slugger Yasmany Tomas and the highly touted 19-year-old Yoan Moncada.

Earlier this week Fox Sports confirmed prominent Cuban baseball author Peter Bjarkman’s report that tabbed the Los Angeles Dodgers as Olivera’s final destination once he’s been cleared by new MLB commissioner Rob Manfred. MLB.com’s Peter Gammons tweeted Tuesday that five teams are offering $70 million for Olivera, a figure that would top the $68.5 million Arizona agreed to give Tomas in November, and fall just below the record $72.5 million the Boston Red Sox gave to outfielder Rusney Castillo last summer. No deal is imminent just yet, with the Oakland Athletics also in pursuit, but the seasoned Serie Nacional slugger figures to join a long line of Cuban nationals to make their way to Dodger Stadium. Los Angeles struck gold with outfield Yasiel Puig, and also landed Alex Guerrero and Erisbel Arruebarrena over the last few years. Where Olivera plays could be a bit a problem for Dodgers manager Don Mattingly, with Adrian Gonzalez, Juan Uribe and the recently acquired Howie Kendrick and Jimmy Rollins already covering the infield. However, third base could be Olivera’s spot on the field and Mattingly will certainly find room in the lineup for a versatile and powerful hitter who hit .323 over 10 seasons in Cuba. The Dodgers also join the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres and maybe the Milwaukee Brewers on the hot trail of Moncada, who’s reportedly finished his private workouts and has entered the “contract phase” in his journey to the majors, his agent said to CBS Sports. Another infielder with explosive power, Moncada could demand a significant pay day in the $12 million to $50 million range, according to CBS. The gap could increase or tighten depending on how quickly Moncada can ascend to the majors. Already powerfully built at 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, Moncada has garnered comparisons to Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper but will use his length in the infield, either at second or third base. In 2012 and 2013 combined with Cienfuegos, Moncada hit .277 with four home runs, 11 doubles, four triples and 28 RBIs.

D-backs invitan a su Festival del Fanático este domingo By MixedVoces.com http://mixedvoces.com/deportes/d-backs-invitan-a-su-festival-del-fanatico-este-domingo-17628#.VOdtPkR0zIV Phoenix .- Los Diamondbacks de Arizona invitan a todos los aficionados a su 11er Festival del Fanático presentado por SUBWAY este domingo 22 de febrero a partir del mediodía y hasta las 4 de la tarde en el Chase Field, con entrada temprana VIP a desde las 11 de la mañana. El evento es gratuito y le ofrecerá a los aficionados acceso sin precedentes a jugadores, entrenadores, ex jugadores y locutores,

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incluyendo sesiones de autógrafos y fotos en el terreno de juego. El año pasado, el evento atrajo a unos 25,000 aficionados al Chase Field. El Fan Fest de los D-backs contará con un área en el jardín derecho del Chase Field para que niños hasta los 12 años de edad reciban autógrafos gratuitos por parte de jugadores, coaches y cronistas en cuatro sesiones diferentes entre 12:15 y 4:00 p.m. A continuación los eventos de este año: -Sesiones de autógrafos -Recorridos por el clubhouse -Sesiones fotográficas con jugadores -Venta de garaje para la Fundación Arizona Diamondbacks -Inflables interactivos para niños -Aficionados pueden batear en las jaulas de bateo -Sesión de preguntas y respuestas con jugadores -Zona de redes sociales Los jugadores invitados son: Nick Ahmed, Brandon Drury, Paul Goldschmidt, Tuffy Gosewisch, Aaron Hill, Ender Inciarte, Jake Lamb, Chris Owings, Cliff Pennington, David Peralta, A.J. Pollock, Cody Ross, Yasmani Tomás, Mark Trumbo, Chase Anderson, Bronson Arroyo, Jake Barrett, Aaron Blair, Archie Bradley, Enrique Burgos, Trevor Cahill, Andrew Chafin, Josh Collmenter, Patrick Corbin, Rubby De La Rosa, Randall Delgado, Jeremy Hellickson, David Hernández, Oscar Hernández, Daniel Hudson, Will Locante, Evan Marshall, Kevin Munson, Vidal Nuño, Peter O’Brien, Jordan, Pacheco, Oliver Pérez, Robbie Ray, Addison Reed, Matt Reynolds, A.J. Schugel, Braden Shipley, Matt Stites, Allen Webster y Brad Ziegler. Manager y coaches: Chip Hale, Mike Fetters, Mark Grace, Mike Harkey, Dave McKay, Ariel Prieto, Glenn Sherlock, Mel Stottlemyre y Turner Ward. Miembros de la directiva: Luis González, Randy Johnson, Tony La Russa, J.J. Putz, Dave Stewart y Brandon Webb.

Name sought for new specialty Kane County Cougars beer By Kane County Chronicle http://www.kcchronicle.com/2015/02/19/name-sought-for-new-specialty-kane-county-cougars-beer/as4gqa8/ GENEVA – The Kane County Cougars announced a specialty beer-naming campaign through social media in which fans will help choose the name of a new specialty Cougars beer created by Two Brothers Brewing Company. The Cougars will post a “beer ballot” through the Cougars’ Facebook (facebook.com/kanecountycougars) and Twitter (@kccougars) social media channels. Fans can vote on one of three pre-selected beer finalist names – Cougars Grand Slam Ale, Cougars Home Run Ale and Raging Cougar Ale – or submit their own beer name to be considered by Cougars staff. While the official name of the beer is undetermined, the Cougars have partnered with Warrenville-based Two Brothers Brewing Company to produce a new lighter, hoppier ale that ultimately will become the Cougars’ branded specialty beer. Through this partnership with Two Brothers Brewing Company as well as the Cougars’ Major League affiliation with the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Cougars will become the first organization in the 16-team Midwest League to feature its own branded beer, according to a news release. The Cougars’ specialty beer will be available and on tap for Cougars home games at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark, the Two Brothers Tap House in Warrenville and Round House in Aurora as well as at Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Two Brothers’ new Tap House and Brewery Restaurant in Scottsdale, Arizona. Through Tuesday, Feb. 24, randomly selected Cougars social media followers who participate will be eligible to win prizes, such as tickets to opening night on April 9, a ceremonial first pitch, along with a ceremonial first “pour,” and the chance to participate in a first “toast” of the season with Cougars and Two Brothers representatives that evening on the field. Social media followers can win prizes courtesy of Two Brothers as well as the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Cougars, in conjunction with Two Brothers Brewing Company, will announce the winning beer name and logo design on Thursday, Feb. 26.

February 20, 2015 • sports.yahoo.com/mlb/morenews http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/morenews

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February 20, 2015

MLB makes small pace of game changes, passes on bigger steps 11:37 am EST (The Associated Press)

Brett Bochy: Giants manager 'feeling great ... in good hands' 11:31 am EST (Comcast SportsNet Bay Area)

The new pace of play rules aren’t disruptive, make a lot of sense and may actually work 11:30 am EST (NBC Sports)

Brad Peacock is in The Best Shape Of His Life 11:16 am EST (NBC Sports)

Orioles key player thinks Opening Day is realistic 10:51 am EST (Comcast SportsNet Mid Atlantic)

Major League Baseball, the MLBPA officially announce new pace-of-play rules 10:31 am EST (NBC Sports)

A.J. Ellis will not be Clayton Kershaw’s personal catcher 10:19 am EST (NBC Sports)

Suzyn Waldman on A-Rod: “I find him impossible to dislike” 9:59 am EST (NBC Sports)

Conor Gillaspie arrives in Arizona early after a long drive 9:34 am EST (Comcast SportsNet Chicago)

Jayson Werth on jail: “It’s not something that was fun. It’s not a destination you would choose.” 8:48 am EST (NBC Sports)

I may need a disguise when I visit Giants camp this spring training 7:18 am EST (NBC Sports)

Giants manager Bochy undergoes heart surgery 2:10 am EST (Reuters)

Giants Bochy has heart procedure after feeling discomfort 12:20 am EST (The Associated Press)

Bochy admitted to hospital, undergoes heart procedure 12:08 am EST (Comcast SportsNet Bay Area)

Giants manager Bruce Bochy has two stents inserted after experiencing heart discomfort 12:07 am EST (NBC Sports)

February 19, 2015

Bochy admitted to local hospital because of heart discomfort 11:58 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Bay Area)

Janssen knows he has "big shoes to fill" 11:48 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Mid Atlantic)

Daily Dose: The Story Profar 11:44 pm EST (Rotoworld)

Baseball America names Kris Bryant as baseball’s top prospect 11:01 pm EST (NBC Sports)

Report: MLB to announce pace of play rule changes on Friday 10:27 pm EST (NBC Sports)

Mariners showing interest in reunion with Joe Saunders 10:17 pm EST (NBC Sports)

Cubs looking for breakthrough season 10:02 pm EST (The Associated Press)

Without James Shields, Cubs can go in different directions 10:00 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Chicago)

Uncertainty abounds for new D-Backs manager Chip Hale 9:52 pm EST (The Associated Press)

Pablo Sandoval fires back at people criticizing his weight 9:42 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Bay Area)

Royals sign Franklin Morales 9:31 pm EST (NBC Sports)

What's next? Joe Maddon will think up something crazy for Cubs 9:27 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Chicago)

Cubs will honor Ernie Banks this season by wearing No. 14 patches on jerseys 9:19 pm EST (NBC Sports)

Joe Maddon pushing Cubs to turn things up to 90 9:15 pm EST (Yahoo Sports)

Royals manager hopes to cut workload for catcher Perez 9:13 pm EST (The Associated Press)

Jayson Werth talks about his time in jail for reckless driving 8:39 pm EST (NBC Sports)

Trumbo beats D-backs in arbitration, will earn $6.9 million 8:28 pm EST (The Associated Press)

Rangers' Profar set for shoulder surgery, could miss season 8:19 pm EST (The Associated Press)

Recovering sluggers the main issue for Tigers in spring 8:08 pm EST (The Associated Press)

Masahiro Tanaka throws his first bullpen session of the spring 7:45 pm EST (NBC Sports)

Kershaw hoping to lead Dodgers to postseason success 7:30 pm EST (The Associated Press)

Potential closer Clippard eager to get acclimated with A's 7:28 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Bay Area)

Huston Street says he has had “steady” extension talks with Angels 6:30 pm EST (NBC Sports)

Indians counting on Carrasco after strong finish to 2014 6:23 pm EST (The Associated Press)

Zito needs to distinguish himself early with A's 6:08 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Bay Area)

Giants spring training Day 2: Adjusting to new third base coach 6:03 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Bay Area)

Johnny Cueto hopes for new deal from Reds before opening day 5:59 pm EST (The Associated Press)

After busy offseason, Padres have higher expectations 5:47 pm EST (The Associated Press)

Tim Lincecum turns to dad in an effort to regain form 5:46 pm EST (The Associated Press)

Mike Scioscia says he’s leaning toward batting Mike Trout second 5:20 pm EST (NBC Sports)

New Red Sox C Hanigan hopes to add more than defense 5:16 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet New England)

Lincecum spent offseason working with his dad 5:12 pm EST (The Associated Press)

Cubs announce jersey patch, other tributes to Ernie Banks 5:04 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Chicago)

For Cliff Lee, Phillies’ rebuild is the consequence of losing 4:59 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia)

Column: Best thing about A-Rod apology is it was in cursive 4:55 pm EST (The Associated Press)

Victorino ready to be 'everyday player' for Red Sox 4:50 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet New England)

Nats open spring training with pieces to make playoff run 4:40 pm EST (The Associated Press)

Anthony Rizzo happy to see Cubs beat rooftops in court 4:28 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Chicago)

Phillies pitcher Lee confident elbow issues are behind him 4:28 pm EST (The Associated Press)

Rangers infielder, former No. 1 prospect Jurickson Profar may miss a second straight season 4:10 pm EST (NBC Sports)

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Bumgarner not concerned about bouncing back after historic season 3:53 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Bay Area)

Ramos' goal: Catch 120-130 games this season 3:52 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Mid Atlantic)

Phillies officials take Cole Hamels’ comments in stride 3:51 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia)

Danny Espinosa’s mustache is in The Best Shape — no, not really. It’s hideous 3:46 pm EST (NBC Sports)

What's the best way to keep Orioles free agents? 3:44 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Mid Atlantic)

Tanaka throws 21 pitches in 1st bullpen session of year 3:33 pm EST (The Associated Press)

Giants' Romo suffering sore shoulder, behind schedule 3:25 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Bay Area)

Showalter says Wieters to catch in intrasquad game 3:12 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Mid Atlantic)

Live stream: Joe Maddon, Jed Hoyer, Theo Epstein presser 3:10 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Chicago)

Mark Trumbo wins his arbitration hearing 3:02 pm EST (NBC Sports)

Ben Davis to join Phillies broadcast team in 2015 3:02 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia)

Doolittle vs. Posey in 'Face of MLB' semifinal 2:56 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Bay Area)

Chilly start for Cardinals as pitchers and catchers report 2:50 pm EST (The Associated Press)

David Aardsma agrees to minor league deal with Dodgers 2:40 pm EST (The Associated Press)

White Sox announce spring training reporting dates 2:27 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Chicago)

Mike Minor and Braves argue salary arbitration case 2:21 pm EST (The Associated Press)

Pedro Alvarez defeats Pirates in arbitration hearing 2:19 pm EST (NBC Sports)

Cliff Lee asks Magic 8 Ball for answers to Phils' toughest questions 1:53 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia)

Projecting the Nats' Opening Day lineup: Mark Zuckerman takes a look 1:52 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Mid Atlantic)

Photo of the Day: Jesus Montero DARES you to throw an ice cream sandwich at him now 1:45 pm EST (NBC Sports)

Fister focused on present, not uncertain future 1:41 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Mid Atlantic)

For your consideration: the Rotoworld Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide 1:20 pm EST (NBC Sports)

Yasiel Puig has reported to spring training early 1:00 pm EST (NBC Sports)

Ryan Raburn is in The Best Shape Of His Life 12:46 pm EST (NBC Sports)

Fear of commitment? Duquette won't give firm answer on Cabrera 12:41 pm EST (Comcast SportsNet Mid Atlantic)

February 20, 2015 • MLB.com http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Team Player Transaction

Arizona Diamondbacks

Mark Trumbo

Signed, ( 2015)(wins arbitration)

Kansas City Royals

Franklin Morales

Signed to a Minor League Contract

Pittsburgh Pirates

Pedro Alvarez

Signed, ( 2015)(wins arbitration)

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Team Player Transaction

Colorado Rockies

Wilin Rosario

Signed, ( 2015)(loses arbitration)

Kansas City Royals

Eric Hosmer

Signed, ( 2015-2016)(two-year contract, avoids arbitration)

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Team Player Transaction

Boston Red Sox

Henry Rodriguez

Signed to a Minor League Contract

Los Angeles Angels

Matt Lindstrom

Signed to a Minor League Contract

Miami Marlins

Reed Johnson

Signed to a Minor League Contract

San Diego Padres

Aaron Northcraft

Outrighted to Minors