MLB Season Preview: Arizona Diamondbacks

Arizona Diamondbacks

Last Season's Standings: The Arizona Diamondbacks were a bad 76-86, good for 4th in the NL West after winning the season series with Colorado, but losing the season series to LA. They were 4-6 in their final 20 regular season games.

In: SP Randy Johnson (via trade with NY Yankees); SP Juan Cruz; RP Jorge Julio; SP Doug Davis (via trade w/ Milwaukee Brewers); SP Dave Eveland (via trade w/ Milwaukee Brewers); CF Dave Krynzel (via trade w/ Milwaukee Brewers)

Out: C Johnny Estrada (via trade w/ Milwaukee Brewers); SP Claudio Vargas (via trade w/ Milwaukee Brewers); RP Greg Aquino (via trade w/ Milwaukee Brewers); SP Miguel Batista (new team: Seattle Mariners); RP Randy Choate (new team: Minnesota Twins); SS Craig Counsell (new team: Milwaukee Brewers); SS Damion Easley (new team: NY Mets); LF Luis Gonzalez (new team: LA Dodgers); RP Mike Koplove (new team: Florida Marlins); RP Luis Vizcaino (via trade w/ NY Yankees); SP Ross Ohlendorf (via trade w/ NY Yankees); SP Steven Jackson (via trade w/ NY Yankees); SS Alberto Gonzalez (via trade w/ NY Yankees)

Starting Pitching: He's back! Two seasons being traded to the NY Yankees; Randy Johnson was traded back to the Daiamondbacks after 2 disappointing seasons with the Yankees. His stint with the Yankees got off to a rocky start with a confrontation with a cameraman as he was walking down the street. He is aging and his stuff isn't quite as good as it was in his prime, but its still better than most other pitchers. He has had back problems off and on the last few seasons and the D-backs would be wise to listen to Johnson and give him maintenance days when needed. He was 17-11 in 33 starts with an elevated 5.00 ERA last season; he struck out an impressive 172 batters. Johnson will likely be the #2 starter behind ace Brandon Webb. The defending NL Cy Young winner will be looking to repeat his performance of 16 wins next season with a fine 3.86 ERA and 178 K's. Webb established career high's in wins, strikeouts, and a career-low in walks allowed. The #3 starter should be ex-ace Livan Hernandez. He's not the most agile pitcher in the world and does have difficulty getting to first base quickly and covering bunts; he struggles against southpaw hitters. Hernandez was 13-13 in 34 starts with a 4.86 ERA and 126 K's. He needs to pitch 200 innings to take a load of the bullpen. Lefty Doug Davis is another inning-eater and adds to this already deep starting staff. Davis was 11-11 last season with a not-so-good 4.91 ERA. He needs to improve his concentration with runners aboard and his game against righties. Finally, rookie Edgar Gozalez should have a shot at his first full major league season. Although, he needs to prove to the coaches that he's ready to handle the challenge. If not, he'll start the year in Tuscon.

Bullpen: Career set-up man Jose Valvedere will have a good shot at the closer's spot in the D'backs 'pen, he saved 18 games last season and proved he can handle the role. He needs to prove to management that he has the mettle to close consistently and he needs to work on his pitching arsenal. His ERA of 5.84, record of 2-3 in 44 appearances last season is not exactly closer numbers. Brandon Medders will likely start the year as set-up man to Valvedere; heis numbers from '06 were 5-3 with a 3.64 ERA in 60 games. He had shoulder problwms last season and may need to adjust his delivery as it is very awkward. Brandon Lyon, a second setup man, does not have overpowering stuff, so if his command is off then he'll get hit. his numbers from last year? 2-4, 3.89 ERA, 46 K's, 22 BB's in 68 games played. RP Tony Pena will be considered for the closer's role as well as middle-relief duty but don't be surprised if he starts the year in Tuscon. Middle/long reliever Juan Cruz suffered through an injury-riddled season where he missed a quarter of the season. He was 5-6 with a 4.18 ERA in 31 appearances, with half of those being starts. Tends to have mechanical issues, resulting in lots of walks. Doug Slaten will be looked at but should start the year in Tuscon. He allowed no runs in 5.2 innings as a September call-up. Veteran reliever Jorge Julio will make his appearances in the middle-to-late innings. He was 2-4 with a 4.23 ERA in 62 appearances last season. Getting ahead of hitters is key for any pitcher, but for Julio it is critical for success. His rough patches tend to last a few games. When he's on, is virtually unhittable. Finally, sophomore Dana Eveland is vying for a middle-long relief spot in the Diamondbacks bullpen. He should have a decent shot at making the squad.

Catcher: This should be Chris Snyder's third season as the Diamondbacks primary catcher. Snyder calls a great game, has power, but tends to over-swing resulting in a lot of strikeouts. Look for him to get between 70-90 games this season. The back-up job will be a battle betwen sophomore Robby Hammock and rookie Miguel Montero. Hammock likely has the edge as he has more major league experience, however if Montero has a good spring training he could find himself in Arizona to start the season. Snyder should bat 8th in the line-up.

First Baseman: Last season, third year player Conor Jackson proved he was ready for major league service. He had a respectable average of .291. He's mediocre on defense, poor as a base runner, his offensive skills at the bat are what keep him in the line-up every day. He should bat 5th and play between 135-150 games next season, assuming he's healthy. Tony Clarkn is coming off shoulder surgery and should be primarily a pinch-hitter with between 20-30 starts at first base. He's not good at reading pitches (lets good ones go, swings at bad ones). He has tremendous power and connect with pitches way off the plate; below-average in the field. Look for him to bat 6th in this lineup.

Second Baseman: Orlando "O-dog" Hudson started an insane 157 games last season and the only reason he didn't start more was because he missed three games towards the end of the season because of personal reasons. He has great defensive skills and can grab balls that seem impossible to get. This switch-hitter is terrible from the right side of the plate, but has great power and has tremendous energy and instincts. Backing him up and likely to start just a handful of games is Alberto Collaspo. Hudson will bat 7th in the batting order

Shortstop: It could be interesting at shortstop as currently Stephen Drew is the only shortstop with any major league experience signed at the moment. Look for the Diamondbacks to sign a utility veteran to a contract. He had an impressive .316 average during his roookie season. Look for him to bat 2nd in the lineup.

Third Baseman: Currently, Chad Tracy is the only player in the organization with major league experience. He played 152 games and should play around that many in '07. Again, signing a utility man capable of playing a number of infield positions should be a priority for the Diamondbacks. Luckily, he's a versatile defender, but he's not outstanding. He has difficulty against lefties. He hit .281 in 597 AB's last season. He should bat 3rd in the line-up next season.

Left Fielder: Eric Byrnes is expected to provide a lot of the offense on this team. This switch-hitter struggles against righties, but plays the game hard and loves facing southpaws. Look for him to play between 135 and 145 games and bat clean-up, at least to start the year. Backing him up is Scott Hairston, whose dedication is in question; strikes out way too much. He has great natural ability. Look for him to get a ten game trial as left fielder, after that, who knows? Carlos Quentin will also likely get some time in left field, but he'll be fighting for the #1 right fielder's job. Jeff DaVanon is coming off an ankle injury and will be looking to prove to management that he's healthy and ready to fight for a starter's spot in center and right field. He was hitting .290 before he went and got hurt.

Center Fielder: If Chris Young makes this squad as the starting or back-up center fielder as he's supposed to, it'll be his first full season in the majors. He'll be battling DaVanon for the job. Rookie Dave Krynzel is also in the mix, but he'll all but certainly start the season in AAA Nashville. Young hit .283 in 30 games last season including 2 home runs. Look for Young to bat lead-off.

Right Fielder: Quentin and DaVanon will battle it out for the tarters job in training camp, with the winner batting 5th in the batting order. Hammock will be considered but is likely the team's back-up catcher.

Season Prediction: I expect the Arizona Diamondbacks to contend for 1st in the NL West. If their pitching holds, they can take first place; otherwise they may end up last in the NL West because they will struggle to score, as their outfield especially is inexperienced and not great offensively.