So far this offseason, the Arizona Diamondbacks have made more noise for the money they’ve shed than the talent they’ve added. They have lost Adam Dunn, Orlando Hudson, Randy Johnson to free agency (insomuch as there is almost no chance they will be re-signed with the Snakes). Two more free agents, Brandon Lyon and Juan Cruz, are also unlikely to sign. They made some noise yesterday when it was announced that they reportedly tendered an offer to Rangers 2B Ramon Vazquez for an undisclosed amount. Vazquez is nowhere near the defensive 2B that Orlando Hudson is, giving up upwards of 30 more runs per year. This is a big deal if you consider that Arizona’s top two pitchers induce a lot of ground ball outs.
Vazquez could be a nice pickup if he’s cheap (he makes $810,000/yr) and if he platooned with another player. He’s really quite decent against righties (almost 400 points higher in OPS against righties last year) and the Snakes could use another leftie in the lineup.
As for the starting rotation, I’m not too concerned. RJ’s coming off the books and will be replaced by Max Scherzer who’s got a ton of talent and potential. This means the starting five will be: Brandon Webb, Dan Haren, Doug Davis, Yusmeiro Petit, and Scherzer. Webby and Haren are top notch; Davis is an innings eater; and Petit and Scherzer have shown amazing upside. I’m not worried about the rotation.
The bullpen will be significantly weaker and needs a few more arms to make it competitive (at least it’s not as bad as the Mets). And the everyday players are all bound to improve. Between Stephen Drew, Mark Reynolds, Conor Jackson, Chris Young and Justin Upton, I imagine at least three (if not all) will show marked improvement this year. Throw Eric Byrnes and Chad Tracy into the mix and you have a solid group of starters. The problem, it seems, is that there is little room for error. The Snakes are betting it all on red. If the team’s talent has stagnated and this is as good as this group gets, then this team is done. Sure they’ll toy with their fans for a good portion of the year, but they won’t stand a chance at the playoffs. There is no backup plan and the front office seems content with the idea that this group is getting better. I don’t disagree, but wouldn’t some insurance make sense?
Sign and trade Orlando Hudson for Javier Vasquez. Deal?
What about HeJew’s favorite player Augie Ojeda…possible platoon at second?
/glazed over the truthful dig at the Met bullpen
If the Dodgers sign Manny, you have no shot. Blow up the team.
*yawn*
Trade Drew to the Reds for Micah Owings. Bullpen fixed.
/Science’d
Best shot D-Backs have next year is wild-card if LA stays healthy.
that’s cause they’re taking it from behind!
ooooooooh!
/immatrue’d
/immature’d
//fuck
Drew is frustrating because he always starts slow and then has a great August/September.
That’s ture, Hef.
/miz’d
Brew Crew, if the Dodgers lose Manny and Furcal, then they’re done. The Padres have lost Peavy and the Rox lost Holliday, this division should belong to AZ.
If the Padres get a package centered around Escobar, there’s a good chance they’ll end up being better than last year.
But the Padres have Chris Young.
/TBL’d
/TBL
W00t! I win.
what is up with all this baseball talk?
Way to kill the buzz around here, sparty.
no problem, i do what i can.