P Daryl Arreola from Yakima.

I am proud he's a Diamondback.

***

I'm really curious to see how much playing time Montero gets this month. Estrada has been complaining a lot recently about not playing enough, about not being offered a long term deal by the Dbacks, about wanting to play in the Bay area, etc, etc. I have a very strong suspicion that he will be made available in trade talks this offseason. I have no problem with a Snyder/Montero platoon for the next 4-5 years in AZ...

***

Ah, Billy Murphy sighting. Emeigh was so right about him, so right...

Fwiw, both Arreola and Murphy pitched in today's game vs. Tacoma; Edgar Gonzalez was pulled after 2 innings as he'll be starting against the Marlins on Weds. Arreola and Murphy allowed 1 run over 6 innings as the BabySnakes spanked Tacome 8-4.

***

Scott Hairston and Chris Carter are having great seasons in AAA and hardly anyone has noticed...

To replace some of the players called up by the D'Backs, the Sidewinders received RHP Ross Ohlendorf, LHP Bill White and 1B/3B/C Jamie D'Antona from Tennessee.

I'll update lower-level moves later - have to get ready for the last Mudcats game of the season.

-- MWE

Ohlendorf made his AAA debut today; 5 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4K. Daigle blew the lead in a 3-2 loss.

Micah Owings, Ross Ohlendorf and Steven Jackson have had excellent seasons this year, and their success undoubtedly factored in the decision to trade Garrett Mock and Matt Chico for Livan...

To replace some of the players called up by the D'Backs, the Sidewinders received RHP Ross Ohlendorf, LHP Bill White and 1B/3B/C Jamie D'Antona from Tennessee.

Neither White nor D'Antona was active today.

-- MWE

Micah Owings, Ross Ohlendorf and Steven Jackson have had excellent seasons this year, and their success undoubtedly factored in the decision to trade Garrett Mock and Matt Chico for Livan...

Adding Greg Smith in there, too, I'd say they were good seasons; I wouldn't characterize them as excellent (and you all know how much I like Owings, in particular). I think the Diamondbacks traded the two pitchers with the least amount of upside in that group.

Arizona would be well advised to be cautious with that group of pitchers, and also with Carlos Gonzalez (who struggled in his initial exposure to AA, although eight of his 13 hits for the Smokies went for extra bases). I expect to see Gonzalez and Smith at least starting next season in AA, and the others in AAA.

The D'backs also have to be encouraged by the development of their bullpen arms - Pena, Slaten, and White in particular. The relievers have been a sore point for the big club.

-- MWE

OF Josh Kroeger cleared waivers and was outrighted to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Kroeger's been in SWB all year. What's the deal?

Kroeger's been in SWB all year. What's the deal?

He was on the Phils' 40-man roster, and they wanted to clear a roster spot for some reason.

-- MWE

I'd say they were good seasons; I wouldn't characterize them as excellent

Geez, Emeigh, I am not a Red Sox fan and this isn't Sox Therapy. You can let me be :)

I call them "excellent" because all three of them exceeded expectations and made big steps in their development; from a Dbacks developmental perspective, given how starved the system is for pitchers with somewhat high ceilings, those three (plus Smith) are breaths of fresh air.

Carlos Gonzalez was hit by a pitch in the neck in high A shortly before being promoted to AA which threw off his timing and swing. Given how dangerous the pitch was, it was a huge relief that Carlos wasn't seriously injured. But I agree that he'll spend most, if not all, of next season in AA. There is absolutely no reason to rush him. Smith will start back in AA as well.

I also agree that, most likely, Owings, Ohlendorf and Jackson will be in Tucson's rotation for at least the first half of next season. They still need to polish their game...

Oly qualifying tournament is over now, so the guys playing on that are now available to be redistributed as their respective organizations see fit. For one, I think Schumaker is expected to get the call to the Cardinals.

Oops, I buried the lede. The U.S. beat Cuba 8-5 in Havana tonight before 45,000 Cuban fans. Home runs by Brandon Wood, Saltalamacchia, Michael Bourn (2) and Bobby Hill. Both teams had already qualified for the two 2008 Olympic spot awarded at the tournament.

Both Brian Mazone and Tim Gradoville have been promoted to the Phillies. Gradoville's gotta be one of the most unlikeliest callups I've ever seen. He's organizational filler who goes up and down depending on what affiliate needs a catcher. He can not hit at all.

Mazone's promotion will occur after Scranton's postseason.

-- MWE

Charlie Fermaint, Sam Narron, and Hernan Irrabarren were all added to Huntsville but not as active roster members.

Charlie Fermaint, Sam Narron, and Hernan Irrabarren were all added to Huntsville but not as active roster members.

Huntsville has been operating with a short reserve roster most of the season, so this gives them some protection in the event of injuries.

-- MWE