The Arizona Diamondbacks recently designated left fielder Eric Byrnes for assignment (DFA). If the D-backs do absolutely nothing in the next ~10 days they will owe Brynes $11 million (see his 2010 contract here).

On the other side of the country, the New York Yankees have a need for a left fielder. They have been telling agents this week that they have $2 million to sign a player for that position.

The Diamondbacks have an extra left fielder, the Yankees need a left fielder. The Diamondbacks could benefit by getting the Yankees to pay $2 million. Win-win, right? Unfortunately, it isn’t that easy.

Byrnes has a no-trade clause in his contract, so it will require him to waive that clause before the Diamondbacks can put him in a U.S. Airways seat to JFK Airport. The ball is now in Byrnes court. The D-backs are handcuffed. They can beg and plead Byrnes to do something, but once the 10 days after his DFA expires, Byrnes is free to go wherever he wants.

Byrnes, 34 by Opening Day, hit 8 home runs, drove in 31 RBIs and hit .226 in 84 games for the D-backs last season. Byrnes could wait out the 10 days, collect his guaranteed $11 million throughout the 2010 season, and sign with a team for the Major League minimum salary of about $400,000.

Another possibility is that the Diamondbacks financially persuade Byrnes. I’m not sure if this is legal since it was not pre-negotiated, but it’s a thought. Let’s say the D-backs pay Byrnes an addition $1 million ($12 million total), Byrnes waives his no-trade clause, and the D-backs trade him to the Yankees who in return send the D-backs $2 million plus a fourth-tier prospect.

The Yankees get their veteran outfielder that can platoon with Brett Gardner. The D-backs save $1 million and Byrnes makes about $600,000 more than he would if he tested the open-market. Makes sense? Here’s a visual of my proposal:

Team	Acquires
Yankees	Eric Byrnes from D-backs
D-backs	$2 million from Yankees 4th Tier Prospect from Yankees
Eric Byrnes	$11 million from D-backs $1 million for financial motivation from D-backs

If this situations happens, all parties have about 9 days left before Byrnes gets his freedom. If the D-backs wait too long, then the negotiation leverage will go to either the Yankees or Byrnes, so they need to move now.

You can see Byrnes’ contract history and statistics here.