Diamondbacks could be a big player during Winter Meetings

This time of year, there's always a lot of hype going into the MLB Winter Meetings, this year taking place in Nashville, TN. You hear the usual suspects in the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, Angels, etc, but one name may come up that might surprise you... the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Though the DBacks have been very quiet in the weeks leading up to the annual meetings, they will be looking for the one thing that a lot of other teams will also be searching for...starting pitching. Arizona is especially vulnerable with aging veteran Randy Johnson coming off back surgery, as well as losing Livan Hernandez to free agency. The team currently has a 3-year offer out to Japanese right-hander Hiroki Kuroda, but so do a few other teams. Other names they have been linked to are right-hander Matt Clement and, before he signed with the Padres, left-hander Randy Wolf.

One thing that gives the Diamondbacks negotiating power is, they have young players that may entice other teams. Though, they will have their list of untouchable players such as Chris Young, Justin Upton, Stephen Drew and Mark Reynolds. Players they might be talked into parting with included Carlos Quentin or Double-A outfielder Carlos Gonzalez.