Breakfast Anyone?

Arizona Diamondbacks General Manager Josh Byrnes is getting a reputation for someone you want to avoid when it comes to dining invitations. It seems as though nothing good ever happens when you go out to eat with him.

With the 2006 season winding down the Arizona Diamondbacks had a decision to make. Left fielder and fan favorite Luis Gonzalez had a club option for the 2007 season and the rumor mills were all reporting that the Diamondbacks had no intention of picking up the option.

Gonzalez agreed to have breakfast with Byrnes along with then General Partner Jeff Moorad. Even before the food arrived the conversation began with Byrnes telling Gonzalez that the team would decline his option. Gonzalez expressed a desire to return to the team and offered to re-sign at a lower amount.

Byrnes went on to explain that regardless of the price the team was not interested in bringing him back. He did not fit in with their future plans no matter what the price. This left a bitter taste in Gonzalez’s mouth and he departed Arizona playing two more seasons for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Florida Marlins before officially retiring this season.

Replacing Gonzalez in the outfield was Eric Byrnes who had shown glimpses of greatness while playing centerfield that season. The plan was to move Eric Byrnes to left field and allow rookie Chris Young to play center field.

The 2007 season was magical with the Diamondbacks overachieving and winning the National League Western Division. Byrnes had a great season and the fans had anointed him as the new fan favorite. Everywhere you turned the fans and the media were begging for the Diamondbacks to sign Eric Byrnes to a long-term contract.

With 2007 coming to a close the Diamondbacks signed Eric Byrnes to a three-year contract. This of course had a ripple effect that sent promising outfielder Carlos Quentin to the Chicago White Sox, a trade that will haunt the Diamondbacks for years to come.

During the 2008 season Eric Byrnes suffered injuries that limited his playing time. He rededicated himself and arrived at Spring Training 2009 with an attitude that he would once again put up great numbers. For the second year in a row injuries derailed his season.

During the final week of the season Byrnes announced he would play winter ball to get back into playing shape and planned to be ready to be the starting left fielder for the 2010 Arizona Diamondbacks.

Last week General Manager Josh Byrnes invited Eric Byrnes to dine with him. During that meeting Josh laid out for Eric what the teams plans were and that barring any unforeseen circumstances Eric just didn’t seem to fit in those plans.

For the second time in three years a starting left fielder and fan favorite was invited to a meal only to find out that the team didn’t want them. Forget Jenny Craig, Josh Byrnes is the new diet king. With just a single meal he can make you lose your appetite.

Diamondbacks fans had to cringe when it was reported that Josh Byrnes had asked starting pitcher Brandon Webb to a lunch meeting. With the Diamondbacks holding a club option on the injured pitcher, the last thing Webb needed was to eat with Byrnes.

This meeting at least on the surface sounds reassuring. Byrnes expressed that the team would most likely pick up the option but Byrnes wanted to discuss altering the contract and spreading the money over two seasons with a year added.

I’m sure Webb’s stomach turned a little. His value as a pitcher was never lower than it is right now. Rather than jump on the deal, he declined setting 2010 up as possibly his last year as an Arizona Diamondbacks.

If the team finds itself in a similar situation as they were this year at the trade deadline it is a realistic possibility that Webb would be dealt for prospects. If that happens we can point back to the meal with Josh Byrnes as yet another example of why it is best not to accept a meal invitation with the general manager.