Trot Nixon Signed
Last week, the Diamondbacks signed longtime Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indian outfielder Trot Nixon to a minor league contract. Nixon was signed as an insurance policy if Chad Tracy is not ready for Opening Day after surgery on his right knee in the offseason. The plan means that despite no previous experience at first base, the lifetime outfielder is learning a new position. The Diamondbacks are set in the outfield with Chris Young, Eric Byrnes, Justin Upton starting, and Jeff Salazer as the fourth outfielder.
Nixon is coming off a 2007 season where he hit .251 with just three homers and 31 RBI’s in 99 games with the Cleveland Indians
Hall, Byrnes Sign Contract Extensions
With CEO Jeff Moorad and managing general partner Ken Kendrick happy with the direction the organization is heading, they felt it was time to reward a couple of key parts of that movement. Team president Derrick Hall and general manager Josh Byrnes both were signed to eight year contract extensions, carrying them through the 2015 season.
Hall was appointed team president in October 2006 after the previous presider, Rich Dozer, resigned. He is an Arizona State University graduate, and is a very popular figure among fans. The fact that he is accessible to fans, and has created a fan friendly environment contributed greatly to the recent success of the organization. The working atmosphere has been a focus of Hall’s, and the organization was recently named one of the best places to work in the Phoenix area.
Byrnes joined the organization after the 2005 season. Among his other positions held are scouting director with Cleveland, and assistant general manager with both Colorado and Boston. He was with Boston when they won the 2004 World Series. He has been a huge part of the recent success, picking up Dan Haren this offseason, as well as Chris Young in 2005.
Spring Training Underway
Spring Training opened up last week for all major league clubs, with pitchers and catchers reporting first followed by position players later in the week. The first game is on February 28th versus the Colorado Rockies. The game will be broadcast on mlbtv.
