Arizona Diamondbacks
2010 Record: 65-97
713 RS, 836 RA, Pythagorean Record: 68-94
Manager: Kirk Gibson
GM: Kevin Towers
Free Agents Signings:
Henry Blanco, C (1, $1MM); Willie Bloomquist, 2B (1, $900k; $1.1 Mutual); Geoff Blum, 3B (2, $2.7MM); Aaron Heilman, RP (1, $2MM); Melvin Mora, 3B (2, $4MM); Xavier Nady, OF (1, $1.75MM); J.J. Putz, RP (2, $10MM).
Minor League Free Agent Signings:
Russell Branyan, 1B; Sean Burroughs, 3B; Kawika Emsley-Pai, C; Robby Hammock, C; Mike Hampton, P; Jordan Kendall, P; Ryan LaPensee, OF; Jon Mark Owings, OF; Micah Owings, P; Wily Mo Pena, OF; P.J. Pilittere, C; Cody Ransom, 3B; Mark Reed, C; Ed Rogers, SS; Andy Tracy, 1B; David Winfree, OF; Clay Zavada, P.
Rule V Picks:
Joe Paterson, P (Giants)
Trades:
Received Zach Duke (SP) from the Pirates for Cesar Valdez (P); Received Armando Galarraga (SP) from the Tigers for Kevin Eichhorn (P) and Ryan Robowski (P); Received David Hernandez (P) and Kam Mickolio (P) from the Orioles for Mark Reynolds (3B); Received Juan Miranda (1B) from the Yankees for Scott Allen (P).
Waiver Claims:
Juan Jaime, P (from the Nationals); Brian Sweeney, P (from the Mariners).
Players Lost:
Bryan Augenstein, P; Ryan Babineau, C; Jeff Bailey, 1B; T.J. Beam, P; Kris Benson, P; Blaine Boyers, P; Evan Button, 2B; Adonys Canelo, SS; D.J. Carrasco, P; Ryan Church, OF; Carlos Corporan, C; Bobby Crosby, SS; Doug Deeds, OF; Alberto Diaz, OF; Cyle Hankerd, OF; Adam LaRoche, 1B; Rodrigo Lopez, P; Drew Macias, OF; Jose Marte, P; Roque Mercedes, P; Augie Ojeda, SS; Kasey Olenberger, P; Randy Rodriguez, P; Leo Rosales, P; Rusty Ryal, 3B; Yunesky Sanchez, 2B; Brandon Webb, P; Byron Wiley, OF.
Draft Picks from Free Agents Lost: 1 (LaRoche, Type B)
Top 15 Prospects
1. Jarrod Parker, RHP
2 . Tyler Skaggs, LHP
3. Bobby Borchering, 3B
4. Matt Davidson, 3B
5. Chris Owings, SS
6. Marc Krauss, OF
7. A.J. Pollock, OF
8. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
9. Tyler Linton, OF
10. Wagner Mateo, OF
11. Pat Corbin, LHP
12. Wade Miley, LHP
13. Collin Cowgill, OF
14. David Holmberg, LHP
15. Keon Broxton, OF
This system has seen better days. Outside of the top 4, there isn’t much to be excited about here. Most of the players they are acquiring in trades go straight to the parent club (Dan Hudson for example). I think Kevin Towers should do a decent job of building this organization in the next few drafts.
2010 Review:
Not much went right for the D’backs in 2010. They fired their manager and GM mid-season after neither proved really effective. Josh Byrnes did make a solid move prior to the season by acquiring Ian Kennedy; Edwin Jackson, also part of that deal, didn’t do quite as well. Jackson was dealt and played much better afterwards.
Brandon Webb killed the team; he was expected to contribute but his should injury prevented that — again. Of course he wouldn’t have mattered since the D’backs were fielding the worst bullpen in the NL; they had a 5.74 ERA and 1.61 WHIP.
The hitters were an issue; the team could strike out like no other team; they lead the league in strikeouts by a wide margin. Mark Reynolds led the way in that department, but Chris Young was right there with him.
2011 Preview:
Kevin Towers’ plan is to cut out some of the strike outs, hence the trade of Mark Reynolds. He’s also trying to re-vamp the bullpen, which hasn’t had a true closer since they traded Jose Valverde.
Trading Reynolds caused a hole at third, and I wouldn’t be optimistic of Melvin Mora and Geoff Blum being effective. Granted, they do have a hitter friendly ballpark, but still. I’d feel better if Russell Branyan could prove he could handle third everyday; but then that would make trading Reynolds a moot point.
J.J. Putz, coming off a healthy season, will be the clubs closer. He’s got the experience, but the injury question is still pretty big. He’s also had a few years since he was a full time closer. They really didn’t add a back up for him, nor pieces to get him a lead.
Truthfully, none of the major league deals are anything to be happy about for D’back fans. This will be Towers’ year to clean out the organization and determine which way the franchise will move – keep with the current kids or bring in new players. All they can hope for is Young, Justin Upton, Stephen Drew, and the rest can continue to improve. They can also look forward to having full seasons from Joe Saunders and Dan Hudson.
From the Bloggers:
Jim McLennan, AZ SnakePit: The Diamondbacks face a long, hard road back in 2011, having finished last season with a 67-95 record. They fired their manager and GM mid-campaign, and replacements Kirk Gibson and Kevin Towers have embarked on a serious rebuilding progress which will see an Opening Day roster mostly composed of new faces. On offense, K-prone sluggers Mark Reynolds and Adam LaRoche are gone, and the plan is to score more runs through ‘small ball’. The team will now look to Justin Upton and Chris Young to provide the power, though the middle infield should also be solid, with Kelly Johnson and the under-rated Stephen Drew both capable of 15-20 homers.
The bullpen was atrocious last season: Arizona had a record of just 6-18 in games which were tied after seven frames. Towers signed free-agent J.J. Putz as closer, hoping he can provide ninth-inning stability, upon which the team can then build. The rotation will be highlighted by young pitcher Daniel Hudson and Ian Kennedy, backed up by veterans Joe Saunders and Zach Duke – the team may get some help later on from top prospect, Jarrod Parker. However, contention would be a surprise, and this season looks more likely to be a recovery year. Most projections have the Diamondbacks with a win total in the low 70′s, and if the team were to reach .500 overall, that would be deemed a huge success in the desert.
Prediction:
5th Place