We're all over the Jose Valverde situation today as Nick Piecoro adds in this note about the Diamondbacks and Valverde:*Still curious to see what becomes of the situation with RHP Jose Valverde. The Diamondbacks remain interested in bringing him back -- at their price, of course. A scenario the Diamondbacks would consider: Offering him a one-year deal at a lower base salary than what he’s seeking -- say, $5 million -- along with a promise not to offer him arbitration after 2010. That way, he could have another go at the free-agent market next year, unencumbered by draft pick compensation. No idea if Valverde would go for that.I honestly did not think that the Diamondbacks had the funds to seriously go after Valverde, but this situation actually makes a whole lot of sense. Sure the Diamondbacks already have Chad Qualls, but this move would make their bullpen significantly better. The Diamondbacks would not have to surrender their first round pick and Valverde would have the chance to put up big numbers in Arizona and become an attractive free agent on the market next winter. This scenario would be similar to what happened to Juan Cruz last winter, except that he signed with the Royals on a two year deal, not just one.
Seems like a win-win deal all around to me, that is of course, if the Diamondbacks can afford to sign him.
