Hairston had been playing LF in AAA, and will go back to playing the OF. AZ doesn't think he can hack it at 2B, and his future in AZ in LF is blocked by Gonzo (through 06) and then Zeringue (with Conor Jackson most likely destined to 1B). I have more or less given up on Hairston having a future in AZ; at least I hope AZ manages to get something meaningful for him this summer. Earlier this year, I would've said AZ might've tried trading him for some bullpen help, but the pen has been better lately, and both Aquino and Villarreal might return within a month or so. Thus, I'd rather use Hairston for another bat, either at catcher or the infield.

Yeah, you are right. They just won't give him a another chance at 2b.

On the bright side, Jose hit 95 MPH last night, and although a little wild, looks like he will be allright.

I agree that Hairston won't be around much longer. But I disagree about trading him for a catcher or infielder. Yes, Snyder and Hill have been struggling at the plate, although Chris has looked better lately. But both of them are very good behind the plate, and that's all you really need from catcher; offense, if any, is gravy. And I can't imagine any team parting with a catcher who can defend as well as they do and hit better. As for the infield, their only "hole" is at SS, and they already have the answer there: Alex Cintron. Clayton should be reserved for pinch-running and late-inning defense.

BTW, did you see that the Yankees are moving our old friend Tony Womack to left field! I've gotta believe they'd love to have Hairston instead. I wonder if they have another Halsey lying around somewhere?

If Cintron is traded to the Cubs, I wonder if that opens up the possibility for Hairston to get another crack at 2b?

I like Hairston a lot and don't think he's nearly as bad at second as the FO has decided; however, I also don't think he's going to hit enough to play a legitimate corner outfield. Much like what happened to Overbay (who wouldn't prefer him to Tracy at first?), the powers that be have decided to only see what Hairston isn't, rather than what he is. I believe he'll hit enough to justify his play at second IF Arizona has a slick shortstop.

I think Hairston's future at this point has to depend on whether or not Arizona signs Drew. If they don't, it doesn't strike me as a good idea to trade Hairston: a) His value is low right now, relative to what it should be b) They aren't likely to get the kind of help they'll need for him.

What SS & 2B hit the market in the next two years?

2007:

C - Snyder
1B - Jackson
2B - ?
SS - ?
3B - Santos
LF - Zeringue
CF - Upton
RF - Quentin

If they hang on to Drew/Hairston at second, they'll have plus bats all around the diamond and a ton of money to dump into the rotation.

I think that'll be Santos at SS and Glaus at 3B. I hope it's Drew at 2B.

What's depressing about this is that the D-Backs have two older, LH hitting corner OFs who surely could use the occasional day off against a lefty; they have a so-so LH hitting 1B; they have weak hitters at SS and 2B (another LHB) who need pinch-hitting for; and of course they have pitchers to pinch-hit for; yet they could find only 8 PA for Hairston in a month. In those circumstances, you couldn't find less playing time for him if you tried.

Alas, by him not doing that well last year and the D-Backs clearly showing no faith in him this year, his trade value is close to none. Sure, some orgs like Oakland or wherever might value him pretty highly, but they would (or should) recognize that they can get him for little.

Walt, I didn't understand why Melvin didn't give a few starts to Hairston in LF/RF while he was up. I think he had Hairston starting instead of Gonzo in LF at Coors once (vs. Jeff Francis) and Gonzo raised a big stink about it, so Melvin probably decided he didn't want to push it anymore, just keep his veterans happy.

Levski: Any chance Conor Jackson gets called up this year? His numbers in AAA are outstanding. Not as many HR as you'd like to see from a 1B, but that's splitting hairs really. If he did get called up, would he likely play every day? And, finally, is Tuscon a big hitter's park?

Yes, Tucson is a big hitter's park. No, I don't think Conor will get called up this year, unless Chad Tracy completely falls off the earth and/or injuries ravage the lineup.

Neither Jackson nor Quentin are on the 40 man roster, and they don't have to be added until before this year's rule 5 draft. So calling them up would mean adding them to the 40 man roster AND starting their options--and I don't think AZ wants to do that yet, with the lineup they currently have. I'm sure there are other reasons the team would prefer to let them play a full season in AAA, some of them being of course that this is only the second full season for Quentin and the third for Jackson.