Report: D-backs will consider extending Brad Ziegler, Daniel Hudson
Jun 15, 2016, 7:31 PM | Updated: Jun 16, 2016, 11:33 am
Arizona Diamondbacks' Brad Ziegler throws a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the ninth inning of a baseball game Monday, June 13, 2016, in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks defeated the Dodgers 3-2. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Dave Stewart sounds like he would prefer to extend veteran pitchers Brad Ziegler and Daniel Hudson, arguably the two most reliable arms in the bullpen.
It’s just a matter if the D-backs are in a position to do so.
Stewart told FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal he will “consider” extending the contracts of the two relievers, who are each set to become free agents after this season.
But Rosenthal also added that Stewart will need to run things by ownership, which will surely be in a tougher financial position following, most notably, the Zack Greinke signing this past offseason.
#DBacks GM Dave Stewart: Teams calling on potential FA relievers Ziegler, Hudson. AZ will consider extensions for both before deadline.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) June 15, 2016
#DBacks' Stewart said that he will need to speak with ownership before determining exactly how to proceed with Ziegler, Hudson.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) June 15, 2016
Ziegler is making $5.5 million this year and even at 36 years old could command approximately the same type of money if he hits the free agent market.
After all, he’s only improved his value by spending the last year transitioning from a set-up man into one of the more unique closers in baseball. Currently, Ziegler (2.93 ERA) is on a streak of 41-straight saves, tied for seventh-longest in MLB history.
Hudson, who is making $2.7 million this year, has a more complex case. He spent the summer of 2015 determining whether his elbow that required two Tommy John surgeries would hold up well enough to return to his former role as starting pitcher. While Hudson (1.80 ERA) more than accepted the reliever role and has pitched well last season and this, it’s unclear how he will be viewed on the market due to his injury history.
Arizona will need to weigh its options before the August 1 trade deadline.
If the Diamondbacks foresee Ziegler or Hudson being too expensive to retain, then fielding the trade calls that are already coming in will be the next step.
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