Diamondbacks Notebook: Gms Wrap up Meetings, Prospects Play for AFL
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│ Diamondbacks notebook: GMs wrap up meetings, prospects play for AFL title By Mark Brown / Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/article/diamondbacks-notebook- gms-wrap-up-meetings-prospects-play-for-afl-title Diamondbacks' Tony La Russa buys second Los Angeles- area house By Phoenix Business Journal http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/morning_call/2014/11/t ony-la-russa-buys-another-los-angeles- house.html?iana=ind_sports Derrick Hall Recognition Plaque MLB NEWS By Phoenix Business Journal November 14, 2014 • MLB.com http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/potmsearch/reprint/sub http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb_news_ind ex.jsp mission/3347511?ana=e_potm_thx&ana=e_notification_potm Putz moves into D-backs front office ASSOCIATED PRESS By Jason P. Skoda / Ahwatukee Foothills News November 14, 2014 • Sports.yahoo.com http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/morenews http://www.ahwatukee.com/sports/sports_briefs/article_ce9d9 28e-69dc-11e4-b0fb-bb4a36876598.html MLB TRANSACTIONS Green Men Arizona Training Camp 2014 November 14, 2014 • MLB.com http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions By Ryan “Sully” Sullivan / Green Men Media http://www.greenmenmedia.com/2014/11/11/green-men- arizona-training-camp-2014/ D-backs Baseball Academy Phoenix Magazine The post-GM meetings buzz Giancarlo Stanton's rumored Miami megadeal among five things to watch By Jerry Crasnick / ESPN.com http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/11870766/five-things- watch-following-mlb-gm-meetings NL Notes: D’backs, Murphy, Rockies, Cards, Nats By Jeff Todd / MLB Trade Rumors http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/11/nl-notes-dbacks- murphy-rockies-cards-nats.html 1 │ The championship game of the Arizona Fall League involves the Diamondbacks notebook: GMs wrap up meetings, East Division-leaders Salt River Rafters and several prospects play for AFL title Diamondbacks are engaged. By Mark Brown / Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/article/diamondbacks-notebook- The Diamondbacks are one of five organizations, along with the gms-wrap-up-meetings-prospects-play-for-afl-title Astros, Marlins, Rockies and Twins, which populate the Rafters with players. After a first season of experimentation and some trepidation, two changes implemented by Major League Baseball appear on In the title game Saturday at 1 p.m. at Scottsdale Stadium, the life-support. Rafters will face the Peoria Javelinas (Braves, Cardinals, Indians, Rays, Royals), winners of the Western Division. The issue of instant replay, discussed by Hall-of-Fame manager Joe Torre and MLB’s Vice President of Baseball Operations this Rafters’ manager Andy Haines of the Marlins will start right- week at the General Managers' meeting in Phoenix, seems to hander Anthony DeSclafani, who went 1-2, 7.57 ERA in five have a future in the game. The other change, rule 7.13, addresses starts with the Marlins at the major league level this past season. the issue of home plate collisions. With continued study, Torre In six starts with the Rafters, DeSclafani has a record of 1-0 and pointed out, the aim is greater protection for all players in the a 2.67 ERA. area of home plate. Several Diamondbacks prospects gave important contributions Relative to rule 7.13, Torre told reporters the initiative was a to the Rafters’ East title run. collision between the Giants’ Buster Posey and Miami’s Scott Cousins on May 25, 2011. In the crash at the plate, Posey Catcher Peter O’Brien, acquired last July from the Yankees in sustained a fractured fibula and torn ligaments in his right ankle. the Martin Prado deal, finished second in the league in home runs and second in walks. Outfielder Evan Marzilla, who will That play resulted in rule 7.13 and designed to protect both the find a crowded gardens in the Arizona spring training camp next runner and the catcher. February, hit over .300 and second on the Rafters in stolen bases. “The big issue is the catcher blocking the plate without the ball,” Torre said. “Since we implemented the rule, luckily no one was Elsewhere, right-hander Archie Bradley was the winning pitcher carried off the field. We don’t want to see a run scored on a in the league’s All-Star game and relievers Jimmie Sherly (1-0, technicality.” 0.93 ERA in nine games) and Enrique Burgos (1-1, 3.97 in nine games) were effective. Ultimately, the judgment of the umpire remains the critical factor. While 7.13 discusses where a runner can slide, the Third baseman Brandon Drury, after sporting a batting average catcher’s intention to block the plate and expanded replay below .200, finished better, hit above .220, and topped the capabilities, Torre said the rule itself requires more definition. Rafters with the most plate appearances. Diamondbacks' Tony La Russa buys second Los Angeles- On the issue of replay, Torre indicated the method could use area house improvements in technology but did not offer any details. The By Phoenix Business Journal length of a replay session, he pointed out, is protracted. http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/morning_call/2014/11/t ony-la-russa-buys-another-los-angeles- Usually, the umpires will huddle for anywhere from 1 minute, 30 house.html?iana=ind_sports seconds to two minutes or more. “Too long,” said Torre and indicated changes and improvements could be on the way. Tony La Russa, theArizona Diamondbacks' chief baseball officer, has been busy this off-season. Anther aspect under the microscope is the length of a game. Not only did he hire a new manager and general manager, La During experimentation in the Arizona Fall League, pitchers Russa recently purchased a home in Los Angeles, the Los have 20 seconds, once they step on the rubber, to release the Angeles Times reported. ball. If a batter does not make contact with a pitch, he must keep one foot inside the batter’s box at all times until the next pitch is La Russa paid $717,500 for a 1,800 square-foot ranch home with delivered. Plus, there is a shorter time between half-innings. three bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, a chef's kitchen, a dining room and a living room with a fireplace. The house was originally built “We need to address the issue of dead time,” Torre said. “The in 1951 and is located in Monrovia, located on the foothills of goal is to pick up the pace and make the game much crisper.” the San Gabriel Mountains in Los Angeles County. Any change in these areas of protection at the plate, use and The house was updated with an enlarged master suite, covered conditions of the replay and improve the tempo of the game, patio and built-in bookcases with a library ladder. Torre pointed out, must come with an agreement between management and the players’ association. La Russa, a Hall of Fame manager, was brought on to the Diamondbacks earlier this year in a newly created position. ADVANCING TO THE TITLE GAME 2 │ (Video embedded on webpage) The house first went on the market in June with an asking price of $668,000, the Times reported. DAY ONE: Force and I took full advantage of a cheaper airfare to Phoenix by driving to Bellingham, WA and flying down to In May of this year, La Russa bought another home in California Mesa, AZ with Allegiant Air. Parking at the airport was a few for $1.2 million. bucks a day. The bar at the airport put us in a good mood and the plane ride down got us pumped! Derrick Hall Recognition Plaque By Phoenix Business Journal A million ideas passed through my head of what to do with our http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/potmsearch/reprint/sub Training Camp opportunity. How could we take full advantage mission/3347511?ana=e_potm_thx&ana=e_notification_potm of this incredible chance to get ready for hockey with two of the best mascots on earth? Derrick Hall Once the plane landed, the fine folks at Tourism Scottsdale Date added:November 12, 2014 hooked us up with a pool view suite at The Saguaro. We decided to get a little workout in before hitting Grayhawk Golf Course Submission Type:Professional Recognition the following morning. If you were wondering, yes Grayhawk is Phil Mickelson’s home course. Current employer:Arizona Diamondbacks DAY TWO: Contrary to popular belief, even though our Current title/position:President & CEO beloved team missed the playoffs, our golf games had not improved. We both got slaughtered by the layout and eaten alive Industry:Sports Business by the sun. Travel Tip #1 – Sunscreen is a good idea during August in Arizona. The course was immaculate though. Big Phil Position level:President is a smart man for slicing up Grayhawk all those years, it’s a true gem. Reason for being recognized:Hall will receive the Torch of Liberty Award from the Anti-Defamation League, which That night Force and I were treated to an unreal dinner at recognizes individuals who have exhibited extraordinary Distrito. We hit the gigantic tequila menu (over 100 tequilas) humanitarianism and whose everyday actions exemplify the while James Beard winning chef Jose Garces hooked us up with principles of opportunity, anti-discrimination, equal rights, an insane lamb dish. The experience was unlike anything you’d community involvement and fairness to all. find back in Vancouver. The rustic atmosphere sucked us in and Putz moves into D-backs front office the extensive gourmet food and crazy drink menus filled us up By Jason P. Skoda / Ahwatukee Foothills News good. http://www.ahwatukee.com/sports/sports_briefs/article_ce9d9 28e-69dc-11e4-b0fb-bb4a36876598.html DAY THREE: I had no idea what I’d gotten us into with the Arizona Diamondbacks.