Arizona Appeal

Baseball in the desert has been dismal, depressing and dull lately. At least for the hometown team. Yes, there are many Spring training facilities and fans flock to root for their chosen Cactus League teams. But the Arizona Diamondbacks do not often headline the front pages. The Diamondbacks usually field a respectable team each season but lack the appeal of other major league ball clubs. Maybe baseball isn’t the prominent sport in a state where golf is king and college teams are worshipped. Local sports reporters are focused more on what is coming out of Shaquille O’Neal’s mouth and whether the Wildcats are bubble-bound this NCAA tournament. It doesn’t help the Diamondbacks when the previously pathetic and laughable franchise, the NFL Cardinals, earned a trip to the Superbowl. Getting back to the diamond though, this year’s NL West team from Arizona has a chance in today’s state of parity in baseball. However, here is my cynical synopsis.
The team has one goal heading into the 2009 campaign. The offense needs to reduce the amount of strikeouts. I realize it is refreshing to feel the “whiffs” in the dry desert air in the Southwest but come on. Arizona set franchise record 1,287 strikeouts in 2008. 3B, Mark Reynolds had 204 on his own, setting a new major league record. Mark was a promising player and I thought he was headed in the right direction when he began his career. I considered Reynolds one of the best up and coming third basemen in the league. He can still redeem himself. Reynolds has been working on his defense with former formidable fielder, Matt Williams. He accumulated 97 RBIs and 28 HRs hitting near the bottom of the Diamondbacks order in 2008. Mark’s defense is not stellar but he does the little things in the field and can play the position well when he takes his time and concentrates.
Manager, Bob Melvin, does not have a true leadoff hitter yet, so he will probably tinker with the lineup a lot. Felipe Lopez, the second baseman, is the best option to bat first. Loose Lopez is a quality switch hitter. CF Chris Young and SS Stephen Drew are projected to bat second and third. Each player moves down in Melvin’s batting order. The shift spells success for Arizona because they can be more productive in that order. Young needs to focus on patience at the plate and take a few pitches. He’s capable of stealing bases and ideally suited to hit second. Drew ‘s ability is limitless and the shortstop is only 25 years old. J.D. Drew’s kid brother had 11 triples last season and drove in 67 runs. He showed pop as well, slugging a modest 21 homers. The Florida State alum has improved every year since his first full one in 2007.
Conor Jackson and Justin Upton are the best hitters on this young team. Jackson will clean up and play left field or first base. He averaged an even .300 at the plate in 2008 and will look to match that again this season. Many are expecting a 90 RBI season for the third year player and hoping for 20 or more long balls. Upton came up as one of the best prospects and brings a lot to the table. The fire starter is a five tool player, but he has had his share of growing pains. Justin is only 21 years old but still managed to hit 15 out of the park. This rangy right fielder is flexible and makes great throws with an authoritative arm. Upton benefits from playing on a low-key team in the National League.
Left-handed first baseman, Chad Tracy, has a history of being injured. Tracy will help Arizona if he can remain on the field. If he is healthy, Tracy may take playing time away from Reynolds. Chad has been practicing third base during Spring training games. His career .285 average ignites the bottom of the order. Behind the plate, the Diamondbacks have viable options in Chris Snyder and Miguel Montero. Snyder is the front-runner and will probably be the opening day starter. He had surprising power for a catcher in 2008, with a career high 16 homeruns. Snyder also possesses post-season experience with Arizona. He had a HR in the 2007 LCS and his .333.
Veteran class-act, Tony Clark, is a first base reserve who will probably retire a Diamondback in the near future. Clark has been around the block a few times and is the best pinch hitter available off the bench. Infielder Augie Ojeda is efficient at three positions and will play a backup role. Eric Byrnes is also an option for any of the outfield positions. Byrnes is as gritty and hard-nosed as they come. I have a soft spot for Byrnes because he autographed a baseball card and ball with my name on it. He was sidelined with a bad hamstring and opted for surgery last season. It will be interesting to see how the departure of talented 2B Orlando Hudson will affect Arizona. Felipe Lopez arrived from St. Louis and I think the addition is appealing.
The rotation shakes out like this for the snakes: Brandon Webb, Dan Haren, Doug Davis, Jon Garland and Max Scherzer. Webb and Haren are arguably considered the best 1-2 in the league. Both will be innings-eaters like they were last season. Webb is reliable and if he can win another 22 games, Arizona need not worry about their ace. He also strikes out a lot of guys. Haren came to the desert from the Oakland surf, where he was not a top starter. Here, he has been nothing but a hard worker and an effective player. The Pepperdine graduate is also a strikeout artist. Dan will carry most of the load now that Randy Johnson signed the Giants. Haren won’t have to share the spotlight with the future Hall of Famer. If he can locate his pitches, Haren should be very good in 2009. Davis is a tossup, having just been treated for thyroid cancer. Garland was a risky but inexpensive addition this off-season. When healthy, both provide quality starts and should be decent 3-4 pitchers. Scherzer may be on the DL to begin April so Arizona could opt for a rookie slot starter. Cesar Valdez is that candidate.
The Arizona bullpen has no nastiness to it. Closer Brandon Lyon is replaced by either Chad Qualls or Tony Pena. Qualls is a ground-ball pitcher and Pena better suited for the closer role with his flame throwing stuff. Scott Scoheneweis breaks down easily but will be the lefty specialist for the most part. RHP Tom Gordon is coming off elbow surgery but can shut down just about any hitter when he wants to. Relievers Jon Rauch and Leo Rosales are unproven. Rauch is a fly-ball pitcher but is reportedly working on adding a cut fastball to his repertoire. The pen will sorely miss Brandon Lyon and Juan Cruz, who were both under the radar, effective relief men last season.
Arizona has a shot at the division but like the other teams in the NL West, were hurt by the Dodgers re-signing Manny Ramirez. With their shaky bullpen and youth up the middle, the Diamondbacks will eventually need to add an impact player near the trade deadline to remain in the playoff hunt. Maybe Arizona should consider signing Kurt Warner for a relief role.

Parting points: Song choice- “Cold-hearted Snake” by Paula Abdul

The outspoken WR, Terrell Owens will play in Buffalo next year. His strength and speed will be good for the Bills’ red zone offense but best of luck to everyone in that clubhouse who has to put up with his attitude.