Arizona Diamondbacks: 10 Bargain Buys to Make Them Contenders

With the recent addition of pitcher Trevor Cahill in a trade with Oakland, Arizona’s roster holiday shopping is almost complete. At this point the organization just needs to make some minor tweaks to the 25-man roster while looking to secure back-to-back National League West titles.

Let’s have a look at some bargain-bin veteran free agents that could make a real impact for the Diamondbacks in 2012.

1. Rich Harden, RHP

Rich Harden hasn’t pitched more than 100 innings since 2009, and he’s lost two to three miles per hour off his heater, but he still has something to offer prospective teams. If he can finally stay healthy for a solid stretch of games, he could regain the feel for his nasty fastball-changeup combo.

The right-hander might benefit from a permanent move to the bullpen, where he could serve as a high-leverage reliever and give the Snakes a solid threesome in the back end of the ‘pen along with J.J. Putz and David Hernandez.

2. Vladimir Guerrero, PH/OF

It’s often said that pinch-hitters are at the plate to make things happen, so Vladimir Guerrero could end up being very successful in that role given his free-swinging ways.

The 16-year veteran has never played part-time before, so it remains to be seen if he has an interest in extending his career with a bench role for a playoff-caliber club. Guerrero also did not play the outfield in 2011, but his body may be able to hold up for a few backup innings in the field. He’s definitely in the twilight of his career, but he can still hit for average and provide a little pop.

3. Wilson Betemit, 3B

As it stands, Ryan Roberts is penciled in as the club’s starting third baseman for 2012. He had a respectable season in ’11 but is really not starting material at the hot corner.

That’s where Wilson Betemit comes in. A switch-hitter, the veteran is very effective against right-handed pitching (.865 OPS vs RHP, .607 vs LHP), while Roberts has much more success against southpaws, so they could make a killer offensive tandem.

Betemit also offers some defensive versatility, but he’s a below-average fielder at every position (third base, shortstop, left field). The club could easily cut veteran infielder Geoff Blum to make room for Betemit on the roster.

4. Tim Wakefield, RHP

For the first time in 17 seasons the knuckleballer is looking for a new home. The 45-year-old has value because of his ability to pitch out of both the starting rotation and the bullpen. Wakefield could serve as a mentor for Arizona’s young pitchers while also offering insurance.

5. Cesar Izturis, SS

Cesar Izturis played just 18 games in 2011 after suffering a number of injuries, including an injured elbow and a groin strain. Although he’s starting to get a little grey around the ears and isn’t a great hitter, the infielder offers excellent defense at shortstop—and can also play second base and third base.

With Stephen Drew’s health a big question mark (as always) thanks to a badly broken ankle, Izturis could offer insurance and veteran stability at a very reasonable price.

6. Aaron Cook, RHP

The ground-ball specialist is coming off an injury-marred season and has only pitched a total of 225 innings over the past two seasons. He could, though, provide some solid innings as the club’s No. 5 starter, as well as in long or middle relief. Aaron Cook is essentially a two-pitch pitcher, so his game could definitely take a step forward in the 'pen.

The veteran hurler also pitched better in the last two months of the ’11 season after struggling initially when he returned from a fractured finger that was suffered in spring training.

7. Rick Ankiel, OF

With the trade of Collin Cowgill, Arizona lacks a viable fourth outfielder with MLB experience. Rick Ankiel could be a reasonably-priced addition capable of playing all three outfield positions. He may try to hold out for a full-time role, but those might be hard to come by.

The former pitcher isn’t a great hitter, but he provides some power and plays pretty good defense. The left-handed hitter could post better numbers if Arizona keeps him away from southpaws and bats him exclusively against right-handed pitchers (his OPS was almost 100 points higher against them in 2011).

8. Jamie Moyer, LHP

Although he missed the entire 2011 season, 49-year-old Jamie Moyer is determined to return. He could be an excellent No. 5 starter for the D-backs and would be a great teacher to the club’s young pitchers.

Even if he’s not at full strength, Arizona has a ton of pitching depth and can afford to take a flyer on the veteran who would basically be an extra pitching coach. For a few million dollars the club may be able to get 100-120 innings out of Moyer in 2012.

9. Carlos Guillen, PH/1B

Carlos Guillen, 36, is nearing the end of a solid career, but he could still eke out a few more years as a part-time or bench player.

The irregular playing time could help him avoid the injury bug that has plagued him over the years. He missed the first half of ’11 while recovering from microfracture surgery and then dealt with more injuries in the second half and ended up appearing in just 28 contests.

Guillen could still offer a little pop off the bench, as well as a solid veteran presence. He’s only appeared in the postseason three times in his 14-year career, and his last playoff game came in '06, so he could be eager for the opportunity to play for a contender.

10. Sam Freeman, LHP

The list to this point includes nine veteran free agents. Sam Freeman bucks the trend as a relief prospect with the St. Louis Cardinals organization.

An underrated reliever, I had the southpaw under review in case the Cardinals chose not to add him to the 40-man roster in November; he would have been a prime Rule 5 selection.

He has some control issues (4.12 BB/9 in AA) but it's also his first year back from Tommy John surgery, and I expect him to really break out in '12. This season, 15 of the 20 earned runs he allowed at Double-A occurred in July (excluding that month, his ERA was 1.02).

Freeman shows a tendency to produce better results with runners on base and could potentially develop into a high-leverage reliever. Arizona would have to match up with a trade, but his value should still be modest at this point.