Baseball

Breslow requested a $2.1 million salary and was offered $1.5 million from the Snakes when arbitration figures were exchanged in mid-January. It took around three weeks for the two sides to find a middle ground.

Mora is hoping instead to sign with a team on the East Coast, near his home in Baltimore. The 40-year-old free agent hit just .228/.244/.276 in 135 plate appearances last season for the D'Backs and has struggled to attract interest from the kind of clubs he would like to sign with. Texas was at least offering a paycheck.

"With Stephen, he's progressing every week," wrote Towers. "He's swinging the bat now and doing baseball-specific agility drills, which is good. We still think there's a chance that he could be ready by Opening Day. Until we start playing games and see where he's at, so far the drills are in a controlled environment and game speed can be different. We'll have a better idea then." It's important to note that Drew is headed into what is essentially his contract year (his $10 million mutual option for 2013 includes a $1.35 buyout), so he'll likely take every precaution with his surgically-repaired right ankle before playing in games. The D-Backs re-signed Willie Bloomquist and John McDonald over the winter, so they have plenty of insurance if Drew begins the season on the disabled list. Needless to say, fantasy owners should monitor this situation closely in the coming weeks.

The D'Backs failed to reach a long-term deal with Montero before his arbitration hearing Tuesday, instead agreeing to a one-year, $5.9 million contract for 2012. The 28-year-old catcher, who hit .282/.351/.469 with 18 home runs and 86 RBI last year for Arizona, will be eligible for free agency in the fall if nothing gets done.

Roberts requested $2.275 million and was offered $1.65 million from the Diamondbacks when arbitration figures were exchanged earlier this month. It took a couple of weeks for the two sides to work toward a middle ground. The 31-year-old Super Two third baseman is under team control through the end of the 2015 season.

Montero requested $6.8 million and was offered $5.4 million from the Diamondbacks when arbitration figures were exchanged earlier this month. And the two sides were able to find a common ground just moments before heading into an arbitration hearing. Montero, 28, batted .282/.351/.469 with 18 home runs and 86 RBI last year for Arizona. He remains a fantastic fantasy catcher.

Montero requested $6.8 million and was offered $5.4 million from the Diamondbacks when arbitration figures were exchanged earlier this month. The two sides have been discussing a long-term deal for a while now, but it appears that nothing is close. Montero batted .282/.351/.469 with 18 home runs, 86 RBI and an .820 OPS last season for Arizona.