SnakeBytes 3/3: The WBC Exhibitions Begin Today
Diamondbacks News
It seems that the conversation between Netherlands manager Andruw Jones and Diamondbacks prospect Druw Jones about joining forces in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) was brief. Druw Jones shared with Arizona Sports, "We joke back and forth all the time. He's been asking me to play for him, but I told him I need the team's approval first. I was thrilled to get the opportunity."
The Jones duo is making history as the first father-son, manager-player pair in WBC history.
Manager Torey Lovullo has set his sights on defense, aiming to improve after a poor defensive season in 2025. So far this spring, the team has committed seven errors in 10 games, which would amount to 113 errors over a full 162-game season. While this doesn't necessarily mean the D-backs will be a poor defensive team overall, there have been some noticeable lapses.
Meanwhile, we now know the team that offered Merrill Kelly a 3-year deal, and why he turned it down for a 2-year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Kelly, an MLB starting pitcher, opened up about his contract negotiations, revealing that he received a 3-year offer from the San Diego Padres in MLB free agency. One of the factors that influenced his decision was the taxes in California.
Around the League
Paul Goldschmidt, with 63.8 career WAR, is a strong contender for the Hall of Fame. However, voters can be tough on first basemen, and Goldschmidt might not reach the 400 home run mark, which some voters believe is a must for first basemen. Despite this, Goldschmidt, with one MVP Award and two second-place finishes, will eventually get in.
Enter Grichuk, a right-handed hitter who split time between the Diamondbacks and Royals last season. He had a strong performance with the Diamondbacks in 2024, but his numbers slipped after the trade to the Royals. Grichuk's performance with the Diamondbacks was exactly replacement level, while with the Royals, he was 0.4 wins below replacement level.
Major League Baseball has announced that the Spring Breakout series will be played as a tournament in 2027 and 2028, with single-elimination style and two champions crowned, one in the Grapefruit League and one in the Cactus League. The tournament is not starting in 2026 to avoid conflicts with this year's World Baseball Classic.
