ARRIVALS: C James Skelton (Rule 5 selection from Tigers), 2B Felipe Lopez (free agent from Cardinals), LHP Scott Schoeneweis (trade with Mets).

DEPARTURE: LHP Randy Johnson (free agent, signed with Giants).

FREE AGENTS: 1B/OF Adam Dunn, 2B/SS David Eckstein, RHP Juan Cruz, 2B Orlando Hudson, RHP Brandon Lyon.

The D-backs did not offer arbitration to Dunn or LHP Randy Johnson, both Type A free agents, fearing if either or accepted it would blow their 2009 budget, which stands at about $70-72 million. Johnson then signed with San Francisco. They offered arbitration to Hudson (Type A), Cruz (Type A) and Lyon (Type B).

ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE: OF/1B Conor Jackson, RHP Chad Qualls.

If the D-backs follow their usual path, they will stop short of an arbitration hearing.

IN LIMBO: OF Eric Byrnes is due $22 million over the next two seasons and has a complete no-trade clause, but the emergence of 1B/OF Conor Jackson as a capable left fielder in the second half of 2008 makes Byrnes expendable, if the D-backs can find a taker and if Byrnes (complete no-trade clause) is willing to move. 1B Chad Tracy ($4.75 million salary in 2009) could be a trading chip, although he hit well at the end of the season and is one of their few left-handed bats. C Miguel Montero, another left-handed hitter, is well-regarded in baseball circles but is stuck behind Snyder. The D-backs do not want to deal him, and they found a depressed market at the winter meetings, making a trade unlikely.

MEDICAL WATCH:

OF Eric Byrnes (torn right hamstring) was working out at Chase Field in December after being cleared to run. He opted against surgery to repair a small tear and expects to be full strength by spring training.