Heilman taken by surprise

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December 8, 2009

Trade finds Logan product expecting to pitch out of bullpen in Arizona

By BEAU WICKER Pharos-Tribune Tue Dec 08, 2009, 12:23 AM EST

Aaron Heilman is set to pitch on his third team in as many years in 2010.

The Logansport product was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks from the Chicago Cubs for prospects late last month.

“I was surprised when I got the news I was traded,” Heilman said. “You always know that it is a possibility at any time but you never expect it to happen when it actually does.”

Heilman, who turned 31 in November, had the opportunity to pitch for the team he grew up rooting for last summer. The Cubs were a consensus favorite to win the National League Central entering the season but went 83-78 to finish in second place, 7.5 games behind champion St. Louis.

Heilman went 4-4 with a 4.11 ERA out of the bullpen last season. In 72 innings pitched, he had 65 strikeouts and 34 walks.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time as a Cub,” Heilman said. “It meant a great deal to have the opportunity to play for the team I grew up cheering for, a luxury many professional athletes never get — not to mention being able to live at home was tremendous.”

Heilman is now set to head West next spring to pitch in Arizona. Last season the D’backs finished 70-92 — last place in the NL West.

Standouts on the D’backs roster include starting pitchers Brandon Webb and Dan Haren and position players Stephen Drew, Justin Upton, Mark Reynolds and Chris Young.

“I am looking forward to meeting and getting to know all of the guys,” Heilman said. “I have heard great things about the organization from friends that have played in Arizona in the past and I think I will enjoy my time here. I am looking forward to spring training and the start of another season.”

Heilman has long wanted another opportunity to be a starting pitcher, as his last start in a game came in 2005 for the New York Mets. But he’ll likely pitch out of the bullpen for the D’backs like he did for the Cubs and his last few seasons with the Mets.

“The conversations I have had with the coaches and the front office have been about being in the bullpen,” Heilman said. “It inevitably depends on how they feel I can best help the team. I just want to help the team win in whatever role they see fit for me.

“There is always a chance (to be a starter) as we have seen with several bullpen pitchers who have made the transition to a starter — guys like Braden Looper.”

Arizona general manager Josh Byrnes discussed Heilman’s likely role on MLB.com.

“We have followed Heilman for several years and acquired him because he has proven to be a durable reliever capable of attacking left-handed hitters and right-handed hitters,” he said. “It is always tempting to try a reliever in the rotation, and sometimes it works. In this case, we feel he will provide more value in the bullpen.”

The 2010 season is Heilman’s last year of salary arbitration before he enters free agency. He made $1.6 million in 2009 and is on schedule to make at least $2.2 million in arbitration for the 2010 season according to ESPN Chicago.com.

ESPN Chicago.com has also reported that offseason money issues are even affecting big-market teams such as the Cubs, which was a main reason Heilman was traded. With a $140 million payroll, general manager Jim Hendry was in a position where he had to move peripheral arbitration-eligible players in order to find money for players such as veteran reliever John Grabow, who recently re-signed with the club.

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