The Diamondbacks couldn’t come to terms with Joe Saunders on either a one- or a two-year deal and have chosen to non-tender the left-hander, according to FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal.
Micah Owings, who did a nice job against righties out of the bullpen last season, will also be let go.
Saunders went 12-13 with a 3.69 ERA in his first full season in Arizona after being acquired in 2010 in the Dan Haren deal. The 30-year-old has a lifetime record of 69-52 and a 4.16 ERA.
The Diamondbacks, though, must believe a decline was on the way. While his ERA was well down last season, his peripherals were little better than when he finished with a 4.60 ERA in 2009 and a 4.47 ERA in 2010. He struck out a career-low 4.6 batters per nine innings and gave up 29 homers in his 33 starts.
Saunders does have durability working for him, and odds are that someone is going to want to pay him at least $7 million per year to come in and serve as a third or fourth starter. Many suspect the Red Sox will be interested, though the guess here is that they’ll pass. The Twins, Marlins, Nationals, Royals and Padres would all seem to be possibilities.