Written by Amit Lal | 12 December 2009

Midnight on December 12th is the deadline for teams to tender contracts to all players on their roster. If they choose to non-tender the player, or not offer a contract, the player becomes a free agent and can sign with any team. Several prominent players were non-tendered this week: Garrett Atkins (COL), Ryan Garko (SF), Kelly Johnson (ATL), Ryan Church (ATL), Jack Cust (OAK), Jonny Gomes (CIN), Chien-Ming Wang (NYY), Matt Capps (PIT). Could any of these players help the Diamondbacks? Here are a few to consider: Garrett Atkins is a possibility. Atkins can play either 1B or 3B, and could be a right-handed platoon partner for Brandon Allen. Atkins struggled offensively last year, but does have a lifetime .301/.384./.486 line against LHP. Atkins's stats have been inflated by playing in Coors Field, but he should be a decent platoon partner. He did earn $7M in 2009, but should be much cheaper this year. A cheaper alternative to Atkins is Ryan Garko, who was non-tendered by the Giants. Garko flopped after his trade to the Giants last year, but does have a lifetime .887 OPS against LHP. Garko earned around $0.5M last year. If the D'backs decide that the Abreu/Roberts/Ryal group doesn't cut it at 2B, Kelly Johnson could be an option. Johnson hit well in 2007 (116 OPS+) and 2008 (109 OPS+), but dropped to an 83 OPS+ last season. Johnson should be a decent hitter, but he's below average defensively, and probably would not be much of an upgrade over Tony Abreu. Johnson earned $2.8M in 2009. In the outfield, Ryan Church is a possibility, if Conor Jackson ends up starting at 1B. Church is an excellent defensive outfielder in RF or LF, and an OK hitter (OPS+ ~ 100). He could be a slight upgrade over Gerardo Parra. Church earned $2.8M in 2009. Jonny Gomes is a very good hitter, but a pretty poor defensive player. Gomes' lifetime .914 OPS against LHP would be nice to have around, and he only cost around $1M last year. Pitcher Matt Capps was the Pirates' closer from 2007-2009, with 67 career saves. Like most of today's non-tenders, Capps had a poor 2009, seeing his ERA jump to 5.80, and his walks and home runs go way up. His career ERA is still only 3.61, and he's only 26, so he's a decent bet to turn his career back around. Capps earned $2.3M in 2009. Pitcher D.J. Carrasco led all AL relief pitcher in IP with 89.1, and had a 3.76 ERA in 2009. Carrasco can start or pitch multiple innings in relief. Carrasco only earned $440K in 2009. Here is a list of players who are now free agents: Catcher John Buck, KC - signed with Blue Jays, 1 Yr/$2M Raul Chavez, TOR - re-signed with Blue Jays Shawn Riggans, TB Mike Rivera, MIL First Base Garrett Atkins, COL Ryan Garko, SFG Josh Whitesell, ARI Second Base Kelly Johnson, ATL Outfielders Ryan Church, ATL Jonny Gomes, CIN Jack Cust, OAK Gabe Gross, TB Ryan Langerhans, SEA Alfredo Amezaga, FLA Brian Anderson, BOS Jeremy Reed, NYM Cory Sullivan, NYM Starting Pitchers Anthony Reyes, CLE - re-signed with Indians Chien-Ming Wang, NYY (out until July?) Scott Olsen, WAS - re-signed with Nats Tim Redding, NYM Dustin Moseley, LAA Relief Pitchers Matt Capps, PIT D.J. Carrasco, CWS Mike Macdougal, WAS Jose Arredondo, LAA (out for 2010) Brian Bass, BAL Seth McClung, MIL Neal Cotts, CHC Lance Broadway, NYM