The Diamondbacks have reportedly come to terms with veteran reliever Bob Howry, but it won’t preclude them from continuing to monitor free agent right-hander Jose Valverde,Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.
Valverde, 30, was originally signed by the Diamondbacks in 1997 and posted a 3.29 ERA over five big league seasons in the desert before being traded to the Astros in December of 2007. He tallied a 2.93 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 69 saves in Houston, but so far the market for the Type A free agent has been slow to develop. Contenders have likely balked at the price tag, but because the Diamondbacks finished at 70-92 last season, their first-round pick in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft is protected. They would have to surrender a second-round pick should they sign Valverde.While the possible addition of Valverde would give the Diamondbacks the makings of lock-down bullpen, with Chad Qualls as the incumbent for ninth-inning duties, a reunion would only be possible on Arizona’s terms. Frankly, they’d be better off allocating the salary towards the recently non-tendered Kelly Johnson. They’ll be inching close to their budgetary limits should he agree to the one-year, $2 million offer reportedly on the table.