On November 18, 1997, the Diamondbacks began to take shape with the Major League Baseball expansion draft. Here, the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays each selected players from the existing Major League Baseball franchises to make up their teams. I remember attending the draft, excited that the Diamondbacks would finally have players to fill those uniforms. At the time, Joe Garagiola Junior said not to get to attached to these players. On average, a player taken during the expansion draft lasts 3 years or less with a team. I did not believe that. There were some good young ballplayers taken. Surely the Diamondbacks would keep most of these guys.

The 2001 season marked the fourth season for the Arizona Diamondbacks and I thought it would be interesting to see how many of these players were still with the Diamondbacks.

• Brian Anderson - With the Diamondbacks in 2001. Signed a minor league contract with Texas Rangers in 2006.
  
• Jeff Suppan - Traded during the 1998 season to the Kansas City Royals.  Signed free agent contract with Milwaukee in 2007.
  
• Gabe Alverez - Traded before the 1998 season to the Detroit Tigers.
• Jorge Fabregas - Traded during the 1998 season to the New York Mets.
• Karim Garcia - Traded after the 1998 season to the Detroit Tigers.  Signed free agent contract with Philadelphia in 2007.
  
• Edwin Diaz - Signed a free agent contract with the Texas Rangers after the 1999 season.
• Cory Lidle - Claimed off waivers by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays before the 1999 season.  Passed away in plane crash in 2006 as a member of the New York Yankees
  
• Joel Adamson - Final game played in 1998 as a Diamondback, injuries forced retirement.
• Ben Ford - Traded to the New York Yankees before the 1999 season.
• Yamil Benitez - Placed on waivers before the 1999 season.
• Neil Weber - Traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers during the 1999 season.
• Jason Boyd - Traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates during the 1999 season.
• Brent Brede - Released before the 1999 season to play in Japan.
• Tony Batista - Traded to the Toronto Blue Jays during the 1999 season.  Played in 2006 for Minnesota Twins.
  
• Tom Martin - Traded before the 1998 season to the Cleveland Indians.
• Omar Daal - Traded during the 2000 season to the Philadelphia Phillies.
• Scott Winchester - Traded before the 1998 season to the Cincinnati Reds.
• Clint Sodowsky - Traded before the 1999 season to the St. Louis Cardinals.
• Danny Klassen - With the Diamondbacks in 2001. Now with the Detroit Tigers
• Matt Drews - Traded before the 1998 season to the Detroit Tigers.
• Todd Erdos - Traded before the 1998 season to the New York Yankees.
• Chris Clemons - Traded before the 1998 season.
• David Dellucci - With the Diamondbacks in 2001. Traded to New York Yankees in 2003. Now with the Cleveland Indians.
• Damian Miller - With the Diamondbacks in 2001. Traded to the Chicago Cubs in 2003. Now with the Milwaukee Brewers.
• Hector Carrasco - Released before the 1998 season, pitching for the Los Angeles Angels.
• Hanley Frias - Traded to Minnesota Twins before 2001 season.
• Bob Wolcott - Traded during the 1998 season to the Boston Red Sox.
• Mike Bell - Played for the Cincinnati Reds in 2001.
• Joe Randa - Traded before the 1998 season to the Detroit Tigers.
• Jesus Martinez - Traded before the 1998 season to the Florida Marlins.
• Russ Springer - Returned to Diamondbacks as a free agent before the 2000 season. With the Diamondbacks in 2001. Now pitching for the Houston Astros
  
• Bryan Corey - Claimed off waivers after the 1998 season by the Detroit Tigers.
• Kelly Stinnett - Signed a free agent contract with the Cincinnati Reds after the 2000 season.  Now playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers
• Chuck McElroy - Traded before the 1998 season to the Colorado Rockies.
• Marty Janzen - Traded before the 1998 season.

Based upon this analysis, there were only 5 players from the 35 selected during the expansion draft that were still with the Diamondbacks in 2001. Of those five, only 2 were starters. Within 5 years there were no players remaining from the expansion draft.  It would seem that perhaps Mr. Garagiola was correct, expansion players are a short term investment.