http://0rz.net/9c1AZ (還剛好是AZ :p) 07/13/2006 10:00 AM ET D-Backs mindful of future at deadline GM Byrnes not apt to strip system of talented prospects How active the Diamondbacks are as this year's July 31 trading deadline approaches remains to be seen, but there is something you can count on. "The one thing that we are least apt to do is trade out of our prospect inventory," D-Backs general manager Josh Byrnes said. The inventory that Byrnes referred to is a collection of top-tier prospects that have torn up the Pacific Coast League. Shortstop Stephen Drew and outfielders Carlos Quentin and Chris Young are regarded as some of the better prospects in the game -- not just the D-Backs system. "The top prospects we have are almost without fail playing well at Triple-A, making us believe that they are close to being ready," said Byrnes, referring to more than just the three listed above. The dilemma for the D-Backs is that they are still in the hunt in the wide-open NL West race. However, when he took over the D-Backs during the offseason, Byrnes talked about wanting the club to be good for the long haul rather than just immediately. That would seem to make it unlikely that the D-Backs would do something that helps them in the short-term, but not in the long term -- particularly since they still need to figure out whether their June free fall is an aberration or a more accurate barometer of how things will play out in the second half. "We still have a chance in our division," Byrnes said. "The first thing we need to do is to figure out how to end the slump. We also need to be aware of the young talent we have on the way." Promoting some of that young talent to the big leagues could also provide as big of a boost as making a deal. Unlike most teams, where trading veteran players would signal more of a building for the future rather than a desire to win now, a case could be made that if Arizona decided to bring up some its top prospects, it could aid them both now and in the future. It would be difficult for the D-Backs to make room for corner outfielders Scott Hairston and Quentin given the contract situations of Luis Gonzalez and Shawn Green. Gonzalez is in the last year of his deal, which includes a no-trade clause and a $10 million option for 2007, which he might demand a team pick up in exchange for agreeing to a deal. Green meanwhile has another year and around $11 million left on his deal, along with a no-trade clause that significantly limits the teams to which he could be dealt. trade deadline 2006 complete coverage > If the club wanted to make room for Drew, it's possible they could try and deal shortstop Craig Counsell, who is in the final year of his contract. Or trade second baseman Orlando Hudson, who is arbitration-eligible, and move Counsell to second and play Drew at short, though both deals seem unlikely. As for what the Diamondbacks are looking for, it's not much different than every other team these days. "I think it's still starting pitching," Byrnes said. "At times, we've been pretty good. I think almost anyone that we've thrown out there has shown flashes of it, but I think we just want to get as strong as we can. I think anything we can do in terms of improving the starting pitching now and in the future is something we would have to look at." --

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