The D-Backs have released 26-year old righty swinging infielder Jamie D’Antona. He is expected to sign with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of the Japanese Major Leagues. This was done as a favor to D’Antona who has been blocked at the major league level in Arizona. D’Antona played in 110 games in AAA in 2008 and he was 153 for 419 (.365 avg, 1.009 OPS) with 69 runs scored, 21 homers and 79 RBIs. He also played in 18 games with the D-Backs this season and he was 3 for 17 (.176 avg, .439 OPS) with 2 runs scored and 1 RBI.

The Diamondbacks don’t have a lot of needs or much money to fill the ones they have. The D-Backs will be looking for a cheap starting 2B and they have their eyes on Mark Grudzielanek, Mark Loretta and David Eckstein. The D-Backs also need a versatile backup infielder and Willie Bloomquist, Alex Cora, Alex Cintron, Adam Everett and Angel Berroa are probably on the short list. The D-Backs will also be on the hunt for a couple of cheap backup outfielders. They could possibly bring back Luis Gonzalez who played pretty decent for the Marlins last season. Scott Podsednik, Brad Wilkerson, Gabe Kapler, Kevin Mench and Shannon Stewart all make some sense for the D-Backs. Look for the D-Backs to look for a couple of cheap vets to help round out the bullpen. Rudy Seanez, Mike Timlin, Al Reyes, Brendan Donnelly and Juan Rincon make sense from the right side. Trever Miller and Ray King might also fit in with the D-Backs’ budget.

The Diamondbacks have outrighted Edgar Gonzalez and Javier Brito to AAA making them both free agents. The Diamondbacks just got sick of waiting for Gonzalez (25 years old) to live up to his ability. He pitched in 17 games (6 starts) last season for the D-Backs and he was 1-3 with a 6.00 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP. He finishes his career with the D-Backs having pitched in 80 games (35 starts) in which he was 14-21 with a 5.97 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP. 25-year old righty swinging 1B Javier Briton never made it to the show with the D-Backs. He played in 81 games in AA+AAA ball this season and he was 61 for 246 (.248 avg, .845 OPS) with 41 runs scored, 14 homers and 50 RBIs. The D-Backs won’t miss either of these guys.

The Diamondbacks exercised Jon Rauch’s 2010 option for $2.9 million bucks which was probably a very smart move as long as he pitches better than he did for them last season. Rauch pitched in 26 games (0 starts) for the D-Backs after coming over in a trade with the Nationals and he was 0-6 with 1 save, a 6.56 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP. He’s a much better pitcher than he showed the D-Backs last season. Rauch has now pitched in 281 games (11 starts) in his major league career and he is 24-23 with 24 saves, a 3.83 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. This was a good move for the D-Backs.