Chad Tracy

The power he showed with the Diamondbacks mid-decade is long gone, and Tracy can't seem to make things work as a bench bat. He'll try to get his career going again in Japan, but it's a long shot.

Despite the team's lack of a true everyday first baseman, Tracy failed to secure consistent playing time in 2009 and saw his at-bats drop off considerably in September when Brandon Allen was given an audition for the starting job. He hasn't been the same player that he was prior to having microfracture knee surgery in September of 2007. It's no surprise that the D-Backs declined their $7 million option on him, making Tracy a free agent in November. Tracy may have to settle for a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training. Further, he may have to platoon wherever he ends up after hitting just .146/.222/.292 against southpaws last season.

After spending spring training rehabbing from microfracture knee surgery and opening the season on the disabled list, Tracy eased his way back into the lineup in May and eventually became a semi-regular option at first base when Conor Jackson was shifted into the everyday job in left field. Tracy struggled mightily after the All-Star break -- .233/.282/.360 -- while his power hasn't completely returned just yet as he hit just eight homers in 273 at-bats this season. With a full offseason to focus solely on preparation for the upcoming season and not on extensive rehab, Tracy is optimistic that he'll be able to play third base again in 2009. Arizona will likely gauge interest in him around the league during the offseason and likely through spring training, so he could be traded into a situation where regular at-bats are guaranteed, which may not be the case if he's still with the D-Backs come Opening Day. If Tracy's knee is healthy enough for him to play third base again, his offensive upside is significantly greater regardless of which uniform he's wearing.

Tracy underwent microfracture surgery on his knee in September, putting his 2008 status in question. The odds are stacked heavily against him being ready to go at 100 percent for spring training, while it's possible that he won't play regularly until after the All-Star break. The plan appears to be for Tracy to share time at first and third base with Conor Jackson and Mark Reynolds, so he's not worth more than a late-round flyer unless his status become clear and he gets a clean bill of health earlier than anticipated.

Tracy's walk rate and K:BB have been going backward since he reached the majors, and he's not keeping his lineup spot with his glove. With so much corner talent at the upper levels, along with infielders who need positions, Tracy may get squeezed or even dealt soon. Even though he's 27 this year, he's not someone to target.

Tracy was moved from his natural third base position thanks to Troy Glaus' arrival last year, then got squeezed out of playing time at first base by Tony Clark's miracle year. Yet he still produced. With the trade of Glaus to the Blue Jays, Tracy will start at third base and his imposing power numbers make him a budding superstar.

Tracy was named to the All-Rookie team last year and delivered as well as could be expected at the plate, but lefties really ate him up (.218/.305 lefty/righty split), which could limit him to a platoon role. He had the second-best range factor in the league last year at third, but either he or Troy Glaus will be moved to first to start the season.

Tracy really doesn't have much left to prove with the bat in the minors. Arizona just needs to find a position for him, and with the D-Backs deciding that Shea Hillenbrand will play third base full-time in 2004, Tracy has been playing games at first base, left field, and right field over the fall and winter. He likely will not be regular for Arizona in 2004, barring injury, but he may crack the club in a utility role, and he should do well in whatever limited PT he gets.

At 23, the Diamondbacks' third baseman of the future. Tracy hit .344-8-74 (38 walks, only 51 K's, .875 OPS) in 129 games at Triple-A El Paso in 2002. However, he only lasted five games in the Arizona Fall League before being shut down (tendinitis, right shoulder). He'll start 2003 at Triple-A; with Matt Williams on the last year of his contract, he could be the starter at third base for Arizona by opening day 2004, if not sooner. Watch him during 2003 to make sure his shoulder's OK, but he appears to have what it takes to make it in the majors.