Arizona
Diamondbacks

News: Qualls (knee) was removed from the 60-day DL on Friday.
Impact: He's supposed to be back at full strength in time for the start of spring training, but the D-Backs haven't provided any updates about his health since the end of the regular season. 

News: The Cubs traded Heilman to the Diamondbacks on Thursday for prospects Scott Maine and Ryne White, ESPN Chicago reports.
Impact: Heilman had a 4.11 ERA in 70 relief appearances for the Cubs in 2009 and should be a nice piece for Arizona's bullpen. 

News: Heilman has been acquired by the Arizona Diamondbacks from the Chicago Cubs for two minor league prospects.
Impact: The 31-year-old right-hander was 4-4 with a 4.11 ERA in 70 appearances last season, striking out 65 and walking 34. He spent six seasons with the New York Mets before he was traded to Seattle last December, then dealt to the Cubs a month later. 

News: The Arizona Diamondbacks have acquired reliever Aaron Heilman from the Chicago Cubs, according to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated.
Impact: In return, the Cubs got left-handed pitching prospect Scott Maine and first base prospect Ryne White. Heilman posted a 4.11 ERA in 72.1 innings for the Cubbies last season.  

News: Webb (shoulder) threw on Wednesday for the first time since undergoing surgery and reported no pain afterward, according to the D-Backs' official site reports.
Impact: The session started with Webb throwing a football for 15 minutes to warm up his arm before he had a 15-minute session throwing a baseball from 60 feet. Plans call for Webb to throw a few more light sessions before shutting down until he begins preparing for spring training. 

News: The Brewers are still showing interest in Davis after speaking with his agent at the winter meetings, Tom Haudricort of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Impact: The Brewers tried to acquire Davis at the trading deadline, but were unable to do so. The team is in need of starting pitching and Davis is a reliable and cheap option. 

News: Davis has filed for free agency.
Impact: He's not expected to return to the D-Backs this winter, while it's possible that Davis will end up back in Milwaukee as the Brewers are looking to bolster their rotation with a couple of new starting pitchers in the coming months. He's more likely to check in with an ERA around five at this stage of his career as his command is shaky (4.56 BB/9IP) and he doesn't miss many bats anymore. 

News: Snyder has denied reports that he's undergone a setback in his rehab from back surgery, the D-Backs' official site reports.
Impact: If he's healthy, Snyder is a good candidate to be moved this winter. However, there's a chance he'll have to start the season backing up Miguel Montero if his back and his relatively large contract keep other clubs at bay. 

News: Updating a previous report, the Toronto Blue Jays have reportedly called off their proposed trade with the D-Backs for catcher Chris Snyder, according to the Arizona Republic. The team was apparently concerned about the status of Snyder's surgically repaired back.
Impact: It looked like the teams were getting close to a deal, but it's not a surprise that his injury problems would be an issue. If the D-Backs to want to trade Snyder, they will likely have to wait until later in the winter when he can prove he is completely recovered and healthy. 

News: MLB.com is reporting that the Diamondbacks and Blue Jays are "making progress" on a proposed trade that would send catcher Chris Snyder to Toronto in exchange for first baseman Lyle Overbay. Snyder played just 61 games with the D-Backs in 2009 due to a back injury.
Impact: This looks like one of those deals that would benefit both teams, as Snyder is no longer needed in Arizona after the breakout season of Miguel Montero. We will keep tabs on the ongoing talks, and don't be surprised if something happens here. 

News: Snyder (back) may be traded to the Blue Jays for first-baseman Lyle Overbay, the Arizona Republic reports.
Impact: If Snyder ends up in Toronto, Miguel Montero would be the clear starting catcher in Arizona. Overbay would be in the final year of his contract, and his presence would allow prospect Brandon Allen to get more seasoning with Triple-A Reno. Snyder would likely see the majority of the work behind the plate in Toronto with Rod Barajas headed for free agency. 

News: Schoeneweis has filed for free agency, the Arizona Republic reports.
Impact: The tragic death of his wife understandably derailed his season. Schoeneweis is unlikely to return to the D-Backs in 2010 given their supply of other left-handed relief options. 

News: Webb (shoulder) will play catch on Wednesday for the first time since undergoing surgery in August, the East Valley Tribune reports.
Impact: It's only going to be a soft toss session, but Webb is expected to begin regular preparation for spring training in the coming weeks. The D-Backs picked up their $8.5 million option for Webb on Friday, so they're hoping that he'll rejoin Dan Haren at the front of their rotation. 

News: The Diamondbacks have exercised Brandon Webb's $8.5 million 2010 option, according to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com.
Impact: The team was widely expected to do so despite Webb throwing all of four innings in 2009 because of a shoulder injury. He is a great buy-low candidate for next season.  

News: The Diamondbacks exercised Webb's 2010 contract option on Friday.
Impact: General manager Josh Byrnes says Webb has recovered well from an Aug. 4 arthroscopic surgery on his pitching shoulder. Byrnes cited Webb's significant contributions to the club in deciding to pick up the option year. Webb made just one start last season before being put on the disabled list. He's a three-time All-Star who won the 2006 Cy Young award. Webb is 87-62 with a 3.27 ERA over seven seasons. 

News: Arizona picked up Webb's $8.5 million 2010 contact option, the team's official web site.
Impact: This was expected, but carries risk with Webb missing almost all of 2009 with shoulder problems and having a shoulder "clean-up" operation in August. 

News: The Arizona Republic is reporting that the Diamondbacks have declined the option on Chad Tracy. Tracy would have made $7 million if the team would have picked up the option, but instead they decided to pay a $1 million buyout.
Impact: Not a big shocker here, as Tracy played in only 98 games last year and hit a miserable .237. He is coming off one of the worst years of his career, but someone could get a bargain if he can stay healthy for a full season. 

News: Tracy's $7 million option has been declined by the Arizona Diamondbacks, who will pay the infielder a $1 million buyout. The 29-year-old becomes eligible for free agency.
Impact: Selected on the seventh round of 2001 amateur draft, Tracy batted .237 in 71 games this year, when he spent all of June on the disabled list. He hit .280 over parts of six seasons with the club. 

News: The Diamondbacks outrighted Romero to Triple-A Reno on Thursday, the East Valley Tribune reports.
Impact: The move takes Romero off the Diamondbacks' 40-man roster. He will have the decision to report to Reno or become a free agent. 

News: The Diamondbacks outrighted Cabrera to Triple-A Reno on Thursday, but Cabrera declined his assignment and is now a free agent, the East Valley Tribune reports.
Impact: Cabrera only appeared in six games with the Diamondbacks in 2009 and finished with an ERA of 6.00. He will likely have to accept a minor league contract from his new team. 

News: The Diamondbacks declined to exercise their 2010 club option on Tracy, the East Valley Tribune reports.
Impact: Tracy hit just .237 last season; but he is still just 29 and can play multiple defensive positions. He should draw some interest in this winter's free agent market. 

News: Jackson (Valley Fever) has gone 14-for-40 (.350) with a homer, 10 RBI and six stolen bases through 13 games in the Dominican Winter League this season.
Impact: He appears to be re-energized after struggling with fatigue throughout the 2009 while trying to get back from the DL in a battle with Valley Fever. As it stands now, the D-Backs need to shuffle some players off of their 40-man roster if they're going to tender Jackson a contract for 2010 and keep him in their plans. If he's a healthy again, Jackson could be a nice low-cost value for a team in need of a productive bat in their outfield next season. 

News: The Arizona Republic is reporting that outfielder Eric Byrnes and the Diamonbacks may be close to cutting ties. Byrnes doesn't figure to have a spot the the D-Back outfield next season, so it looks like the team may try to trade him this winter.
Impact: Byrnes was a fan-favorite in Arizona just a few years ago, but injuries and poor play have hurt him recently. If the D-Backs want to trade him, they will likely have to eat much of the $11 million he is still owed, or they could trade him for another bad contract. Either way, it looks like Byrnes is on his way out of the desert.