Byrnes’ Plan A is staying with D-Backs

Eric Byrnes is well on his way to his second consecutive career year, with another double-double in home runs and stolen bases already, and he stands to strike it rich when he hits the free agent market this winter.

He may even get his payday from the Diamondbacks.

In a slight shifting of course, the D-Backs initiated preliminary discussions with Byrnes about a contract extension within the past several weeks, said Byrnes, who added before a Thursday workout that he is willing to give the D-Backs a home team discount “within reason.”

“I’m hoping we can get something done,” Byrnes said.

“There has been communication. How serious it is, and whether or not it is a realistic possibility, I don’t know. I know how serious I am about wanting to stay here.

“Like I told the Diamondbacks, I want to stay here, but I’m not going to be stupid.”

General manager Josh Byrnes also said that he can envision a scenario in which both Byrnes and Orlando Hudson — the team’s two most valuable offensive players in the first half and their two highest paid offensive players — could return in 2008.

Hudson has one more year of salary arbitration, so the D-Backs have control of him through next season.

The sides have not gotten into contract specifics in talks with Eric Byrnes, and it remains to be seen if the D-Backs will commit long-term years to Byrnes since top outfield prospects Justin Upton and Carlos Gonzalez may be ready to challenge for spots along side center fielder Chris Young soon.

If Upton continues to progress as he has this season, he will be given every chance to win an outfield spot next spring, possibly right field, where Carlos Quentin began this season.

“I can’t go into details,” GM Byrnes said of discussions with Eric Byrnes. “We always want to keep our options open.

“Without question, he has played well. It’s a matter of the best use of available dollars, and the way the organization sets up now and going forward.”

Byrnes delivered All-Star credentials in the first half, hitting .306 with 14 home runs, 49 RBIs and 17 stolen bases, leading the team in all four categories while playing all three outfield positions.

Byrnes makes $4.575 million this season and could command perhaps double that on the open market.

The D-Backs have an expected budget of about $65 million next season, although the contract of Russ Ortiz ($8.5 million) still mitigates against big-time spending even with the expiration of Livan Hernandez’s $7 million contract. It is unlikely they could commit even $8 million a year to Byrnes.

At the same time, Byrnes’ agent, Mike Sasson, appears amenable to working within the D-Backs’ financial constraints, with Byrnes perhaps willing to accept lesser money in the first year or two of a new contract as long as the average annual value of the deal is acceptable.

“We are not going to drag this thing out,” said Sasson, not willing to put a time frame on talks.

“It’s a complicated process. At the same time, the reality of the situation is that three months from now, there are 29 other teams I can negotiate with as well,” Eric Byrnes said.

“Just the fact that we have talked about the possibility of me being here next year is a huge step in the right direction.”