Bartolo Colon, a potential free-agent target of the Diamondbacks, has agreed to a one-year deal with the Oakland A's, according to multiple reports.
The D-backs have made no secret of the fact that they would like to add a veteran to the back end of their starting rotation, and Colon made sense as an experienced, inexpensive and short-term option while the team's young prospects continue their development in the minor leagues.
If the D-backs do not add a veteran, returnee Wade Miley and rookies Tyler Skaggs, Trevor Bauer, Patrick Corbin and Charles Brewer will enter spring training as the top contenders for the final rotation spot.
It is unclear if the D-backs have continued interest in left-hander Joe Saunders, who was not offered arbitration after going 12-13 with a 3.69 ERA in a career-high 212 innings for the D-backs last season. It would appear that Saunders would have to agree to take a dramatic pay cut -- he made $5.5 million last year -- to fit into the team's payroll structure.
NOTES
--C Miguel Montero, who is in negotiations on a multi-year contract, filed for arbitration at the Jan. 13 deadline. Montero, who led National League catchers in doubles (36), RBI (84) and slugging (.471), could be expected to nearly double his salary if his case reaches a hearing. Montero made $3.2 million last season, his second year of arbitration eligibility.
--3B Ryan Roberts, who made the team with a strong spring training and went on to have career highs in home runs (19) and stolen bases (18), is in his first year of arbitration after qualifying as a "super two," one of the top 17 percent of players who have two-plus years of service time. Roberts, who spent most of 2009 with the D-backs, has two years and 150 days of major league time. He could triple his $423,500 salary of 2011.
--RHP Brad Ziegler, who had a 1.74 ERA in 23 appearances with the D-backs after being acquired from Oakland at the trade deadline July 31, filed for arbitration after making $1.25 million last year. Ziegler is in his second year of arbitration eligibility.
--LHP Craig Breslow, who joined the D-backs with RHR Trevor Cahill in early December, filed for arbitration after earning $1.4 million with Oakland last season. He also earned a $25,000 bonus by finishing 25 games. He is to join LHP Joe Paterson as the only lefties in the D-backs' bullpen.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "He likes it here and we love him, so we will hopefully get there." -- D-backs president/CEO Derrick Hall, on the progress of negotiations on a multi-year contract with C Miguel Montero, in a chat with fans.
MEDICAL WATCH:
--SS Stephen Drew (fractured right ankle) missed the final 10 weeks of the season after suffering his injury on a play at the plate on July 20, on which the ankle was twisted at an a 180-degree ankle and he yanked it back into place. His return for the start of spring training remains uncertain.
