Pitcher Miguel Batista is about to become a free agent, and if recent remarks by D’Backs manager Bob Melvin reflect the thinking of the F. O., the Diamondbacks are going to let him walk.

Batista held a press conference to announce the release of his crime novel "The Avenger of Blood." Melvin attended the conference and indicated that he would like to see the fans give Batista the same warm good-bye that they are giving Luis Gonzalez and Craig Counsell.

"Miguel Batista has been a big part of this organization, and he’s going to get his due this weekend, too, if I have anything to say about it," Melvin said. "We want to thank you, Miguel, for what you’ve meant to this organization, as well."

The plethora of younger and cheaper infielders and outfielders leaves no everyday job available for Gonzalez and Counsell. But Arizona clearly needs more pitching. Despite a lot of no-decisions this year, Batista managed to compile a winning record (11-8). Batista is one of three AZ pitchers to pitch over 200 innings this year. (Webb 231; Batista 206).  Livan Hernandez pitched most of his 216 for another team. Only Webb and Batista have complete games and shutouts on their ledger. (Webb: 5 CGs and 3 SH0s; Batista 3 CGs and 1 SHO). And although Batista’s ERA is a so-so 4.59, it is second only to Webb’s Cy Young worthy 2.88. (Hernandez and Claudio Vargas are at 4.83).

Pitchers are expensive and hard to come by on the free agent market, so Batista could command a lot of money this offseason. But why does it sound as if the D’Backs are not going to make a run at signing him? Given his history as a member of the 2001 World Championship team and the love of Phoenix shown in his novel, Batista might be willing to accept some kind of "hometown discount," provided it’s not too insulting.

Are the D’Backs that strapped for cash, even after not picking up Gonzo’s option, that they can’t make Batista a decent offer? Do they have someone in the minors who will be ready to take Batista’s place in ’07? Even with Batista on the staff, they would still need a 4 or 5 starter, so why let go of their 2 even if they figure on bringing someone up from the minors next year?

Letting Batista go now further convinces me that they are building a team for 2009. (Batista would be 38 then).

What say you?

K.R.

Daniel Cabrera of the Baltimore Orioles one-hitted the New York Yankees last night. When Cabrera is on he’s amazing and last night showed it. You don’t one-hit a lineup such as the New Yorkers have without really great stuff. If only Cabrera could find his consistency, he would be one of the great pitchers of his generation.

James Loney of the L.A. Dodgers, the REAL L.A. team, collected 9 RBI in the Dodgers 19-11 win over the Rockies yesterday. That’s an RBI total that a lot of guys take a month to get. The little-used rookie, subbing for an injured Nomar Garciaparra, came into the game with 8 RBI on the season. Savor the experience, James, it’s not likely to ever happen to you again.

K.R.

Belated congrats to Moises Alou of the S.F. Giants who collected his 2,000th career hit while playing the Giants last road series in Milwaukee.

Today, he also got his 400th double and stole home.

And our own Eric Byrnes ended the game with 3 RBI, which puts him in a three-way tie for the Diamondback team lead in RBI.

Congrats also to the clutch Albert Pujols, whose 3-run homer in the bottom of the 8th against San Diego tonight, snapped a Cardinals losing streak that was beginning to remind many, including DTLFL and Prince of New York, of the Phillies in 1964. The big fly came against Cla Meredith against whom right handers had been batting just .101.

K.R.