Jack Magruder, of the East Valley Tribune, reports Arizona Diamondbacks C Chris Snyder will be the starting catcher next season. He is likely going to command a salary of roughly $3 million in 2009.

A closer look shows Snyder was a much better "real-life" catcher than he was in fantasy. Look no further than his .348 on-base percentage and .452 slugging percentage, good for fifth-best OPS (.800) among National League catchers. Whether that's enough to fend off a younger Miguel Montero next year remains to be seen.

A closer look shows Snyder was much a much better "real-life" catcher than he was in fantasy. Consider that he posted a .348 on-base percentage and a .452 slugging percentage, good for fifth-best OPS (.800) among National League catchers. Whether that's enough to fend off a younger Miguel Montero next year remains to be seen.

The Arizona Republic's Nick Piecoro reports the Boston Red Sox are discussing trading for Arizona Diamondbacks C Miguel Montero, but little progress has been made.

The Arizona Republic’s Nick Piecoro reports the Arizona Diamondbacks have had a difficult time finding a good match in trade talks with other teams for C Miguel Montero. Arizona is looking for a quality infielder.

While the Diamondbacks and Red Sox have been talking, there's been little progress on a Miguel Montero trade, the Arizona Republic reports. There is no logical fit between the two teams. The Red Sox probably wouldn't part with Clay Buchholz, Justin Masterson, Michael Bowden, Jed Lowrie or Lars Anderson for Montero, but the team doesn't have much else to offer. Manny Delcarmen for Montero might make some sense, but the Diamondbacks would likely want more in return.Source: Arizona Republic Related: Red Sox

News: The Diamondbacks recalled C Robby Hammock from Triple-A Tucson on Sunday.

Analysis: Hammock has some power potential, but as a third-string catcher, he won't do enough to matter in Fantasy. Leave him on waivers

News: The Diamondbacks said they would recall C Robby Hammock on Monday as part of their September callups.

Analysis: Hammock has some power potential, but as a third-string catcher, he won't do enough to matter in Fantasy. Leave him on waivers

Diamondbacks recalled catcher Robby Hammock from Triple-A Tucson. Hammock will serve as the Diamondbacks' No. 3 catcher again, but one wonders if his career with the team is winding down. He's shown little enough lately that he seems like a definite non-tender candidate. He's hit .171/.277/.195 in 41 at-bats for Arizona this season.

Diamondbacks recalled catcher-infielder Jamie D'Antona from Triple-A Tucson. D'Antona ended Tucson's season at .365/.405/.604 after flirting with .400 during the first half of the season. The Diamondbacks figure to use him strictly as a pinch-hitter. He's not really an asset defensively behind the plate or at either infield corner.

News: The D-Backs sent infielder/catcher Jamie D'Antona to Triple-A on Wednesday.

Analysis: D'Antona has pop in his bat, but he is nothing more than a reserve for the D-Backs and the deepest of NL-only leagues once he returns in September

Diamondbacks optioned infielder Jamie D'Antona to Triple-A Tucson. The move made room for Adam Dunn on the roster. Called up in mid-July, D'Antona went 2-for-11 in limited action with the Diamondbacks.

A sore shoulder hindered Jackson down the stretch, preventing him from building on an impressive first half in which he drove in 47 runs. He'll turn 27 next May, an age when players typically take their game to new heights. Qualifying both at first base and the outfield, where he played 75 games this season, also boosts his value heading into 2009.

Diamondbacks.MLB.com's Steve Gilbert reports Arizona Diamondbacks OF Conor Jackson is more comfortable in left field, but OF Eric Byrnes (hamstring) is slated to return to full health next year. Jackson is planning on following the same workout regimen he did last year with Athlete's Performance Institute. The intense program helped him stay strong throughout the year and is one that he would follow regardless of whether he knew he was playing first base or left field.

News: Arizona 1B Conor Jackson went 3-for-5 on Wednesday against the Cardinals to raise his average to .305 on the season.

Analysis: Jackson has nine hits in the last three games. Jackson is annually a breakout candidate and looked for awhile this season, like he might develop into a top 10 Fantasy option at the position. He adds versatility now, too, so consider him a middle-round breakthrough for spring 2009

If Arizona doesn't move Conor Jackson back to first base or acquire a first baseman, Tracy may get the bulk of the playing time. The club would be banking on his balky right knee being healthier than it was in 2008, since he will be further removed from microfracture surgery. Another option is Josh Whitesell, who came over from the Nationals in 2008 and put himself on the radar with a strong Triple-A campaign.

If Arizona doesn't move Jackson back to first base or acquire a first baseman, Tracy may get the bulk of the playing time. The club would be banking on his balky right knee being healthier than it was in 2008, since he will be further removed from microfracture surgery. Another option is Josh Whitesell, who came over from the Nationals in 2008 and put himself on the radar with a strong Triple-A campaign.

Steve Gilbert, of MLB.com, reports Arizona Diamondbacks 3B Chad Tracy could receive the bulk of the playing time at first base in 2009 if the team moves OF Conor Jackson to left field.

Arizona Diamondbacks 1B Josh Whitesell hit his first major league homer in the ninth inning of the Sunday, Sept. 21, game against the Colorado Rockies, according to The Associated Press.

News: Diamondbacks 1B Josh Whitesell hit his first major-league homer in the ninth inning Sunday at Colorado, a solo shot to deep right-center. He was making a pinch-hit appearance.

Analysis: Whitesell is a 26-year-old with good pop in his bat, but he is nothing more than a part-time player for the D-Backs and the deepest of NL-only leagues down the stretch. He is not a top prospect, despite the Triple-A numbers, and won't be considered for a starting job next spring

News: Diamondbacks 1B Josh Whitesell made his first career start and provided one of the season's stranger plays. Pablo Sandoval hit a grounder to third and Mark Reynolds' throw across the diamond drifted to the home-plate side of first. Whitesell made no move to stop Reynolds' throw from going into the Giants dugout but did slap Sandoval in the stomach with his glove as he crossed the first-base bag, leaving the Giants first baseman sprawled in the dirt. Reynolds was charged with the error on the play, his 31st. Whitesell recorded his first career hit in the seventh, a bloop single into center off the fists.

Analysis: Whitesell is a 26-year-old with good pop in his bat, but he is nothing more than a part-time player for the D-Backs and the deepest of NL-only leagues down the stretch. He is not a top prospect, despite the Triple-A numbers, and won't be considered for a starting job next spring

News: Arizona 2B Chris Burke went 0-for-1 on Wednesday against the Padres with two walks. He's batting just .196 on the year.

Analysis: Burke has played in just four games since Aug. 17 and hasn't amassed a hit in any of them. He's cold and he doesn't see a lot of playing time. That's a bad combo for Fantasy purposes and Burke should be just an NL-only option at 2B. He could be a sleeper down the stretch if he can get his bat to wake up

Burke has performed well since getting regular playing time, going 4-for-15 with a pair of home runs and four RBIs over his last four games. "Smells that opportunity and has done a great job," Melvin said of Burke. "He loves to compete," Melvin said. "Phil Garner even said, this is a guy that when given consistent at-bats sometimes he might not look great the first couple of at-bats, but stick with him because he's got a chance to do something dramatic at the end."

The East Valley Tribune reports Arizona Diamondbacks 2B Chris Burke has started the past four games at second base, and he is making the most of the opportunity. "It's just nice to get back to the position I played so much of my career," said Burke, who has an opportunity at second base in the absence of 2B Orlando Hudson (wrist).

Steve Gilbert, of MLB.com, reports the Arizona Diamondbacks are likely to reach a deal with 2B Augie Ojeda during the offseason. He would be the backup at shortstop, second and third base.

The Associated Press reports Arizona Diamondbacks 3B Mark Reynolds was replaced in the lineup Saturday, Sept. 6, by 2B Augie Ojeda, who is a light-hitting switch hitter.

Ojeda hasn't provided enough fantasy value in what has been a breakout season for him in terms of playing time. He's taken over the second base spot with Orlando Hudson on the shelf, but Ojeda's .251 batting average and lack of extra base hits and steals relegate him to NL-only status.

General manager Josh Byrnes said Monday that the Diamondbacks plan to keep Mark Reynolds at third base rather than shift him to second base as Orlando Hudson's replacement. Going from Hudson to Reynolds at second base would be about as big as a downgrade can get defensively. "There are more choices available at second base," Byrnes said. "To go get a third baseman, you assume the Reynolds move would go well. It probably would, but all things equal, we would prefer him to play third base. As we've looked around, there are more candidates to play second base." The Arizona Republic speculates that Byrnes may go after a short-term stopgap such as Ramon Vazquez.Source: Arizona Republic Related: Ramon Vazquez

An all-or-nothing offensive approach allowed Reynolds to slug 19 homers through the All-Star break, but it eventually led to a Major League-leading 204 strikeouts and a batting average that dragged down fantasy owners in the process. Without showing better plate discipline, Reynolds could soon find himself on the outs at third base, especially with Chad Tracy healthy again and champing at the bit.

Steve Gilbert, of MLB.com, reports Arizona Diamondbacks 3B Mark Reynolds could make a move to second base next season.

If Arizona doesn't move Conor Jackson back to first base or acquire a first baseman, Tracy may get the bulk of the playing time. The club would be banking on his balky right knee being healthier than it was in 2008, since he will be further removed from microfracture surgery. Another option is Josh Whitesell, who came over from the Nationals in 2008 and put himself on the radar with a strong Triple-A campaign.

If Arizona doesn't move Jackson back to first base or acquire a first baseman, Tracy may get the bulk of the playing time. The club would be banking on his balky right knee being healthier than it was in 2008, since he will be further removed from microfracture surgery. Another option is Josh Whitesell, who came over from the Nationals in 2008 and put himself on the radar with a strong Triple-A campaign.

Steve Gilbert, of MLB.com, reports Arizona Diamondbacks 3B Chad Tracy could receive the bulk of the playing time at first base in 2009 if the team moves OF Conor Jackson to left field.

Diamondbacks recalled catcher-infielder Jamie D'Antona from Triple-A Tucson. D'Antona ended Tucson's season at .365/.405/.604 after flirting with .400 during the first half of the season. The Diamondbacks figure to use him strictly as a pinch-hitter. He's not really an asset defensively behind the plate or at either infield corner.

News: The D-Backs sent infielder/catcher Jamie D'Antona to Triple-A on Wednesday.

Analysis: D'Antona has pop in his bat, but he is nothing more than a reserve for the D-Backs and the deepest of NL-only leagues once he returns in September

Diamondbacks optioned infielder Jamie D'Antona to Triple-A Tucson. The move made room for Adam Dunn on the roster. Called up in mid-July, D'Antona went 2-for-11 in limited action with the Diamondbacks.