» Arizona Diamondbacks

I’ve read in various places around the interwebs that the NL West is a toss up when it comes to who will win the Division. Honestly, it baffles me. I know San Fran added some pitching and a bat or two, but that still isn’t going to translate into an NL West division title.

As for the Dodgers, they are solid as well. They just signed a great 2nd basemen in Orlando Hudson (I wish he would have went elsewhere), as well as Randy Wolf a few weeks prior. I’m still not sold on their pitching, however. Yes, they have Billingsley, Kuroda, Wolf, Kershaw, and Schmidt, but it’s weak when you compare that to the Giants. Regardless if Manny is resigned (I feel like he’ll end up being a distraction of some sort anyway), they will finish second or third in the NL West, depending on how the Giants do.

Looking at the Rockies, I first want to say Troy Tulowitzki is a stud. I’ve always loved how he’s played and I have a feeling he’s going to have a great year. Beyond him, I’m not sure what more to expect out of the Rockies. I’ve been a fan of Spillborghs and Hawpe in the OF, but without Holiday (who, IMO, was their franchise player and should have built around him instead of making a deal with the A’s) they’ve lost a huge leader. They could take a step backward for a little time and then turn it on after the adjustment phase (though I don’t think it will be anything like the last month of the 07 season!). Otherwise, if their offense is fine I can see their pitching struggling. I don’t see anything jumping off the page that tells me this is a great starting rotation.

And the Padres… well, they have Jake Peavy. What more is there to say?

But really folks, this is a Dbacks year. That’s right, I said it: The Arizona Diamondbacks will win the NL West hands down. I’m sure there will be some epic battles with the Giants and Dodgers, but really, Arizona has a lock. Why? I’m glad you asked!

Pitching: No one in the NL West can compare to the rotation and bullpen Arizona has compiled. Let’s break it down:

Starting pitching: Brandon Webb, Dan Haren, John Garland, Doug Davis, Max Scherzer.

Brandon Webb

First off, no one in the NL (and possibly MLB? who knows…) has a better 1-2 punch than Webby and Haren. Second, John Garland is a huge signing because he’ll bring consistency. His ERA has been a little higher than I’m comfortable with, but I have this feeling that Webb and Haren will rub off on him (give him a little more motivation maybe?). Doug Davis will also bring consistency that’s he’s had in years prior.  He was set back last year with thyroid cancer (yes, I’ll use that as an excuse) and will probably rebound like crazy. Finally, Max Scherzer. I’ve already talked this kid up in an earlier post so there’s not a whole lot of detail needed: he will be a freakin’ stud.

As for the bullpen: Pena, Rauch, Slaten, Rosales, Peguero, and the new additons of Schoeneweis (I’m excited for this guy to pitch! He’ll be good) as well as Tom “Flash” Gordon (who is currently injured). There are still a few more spots up for grabs, but even the guys fighting for a spot look solid (I feel like Petit will win one of the spots… he’s got some good stuff).

Finally, hitting. In a previous post I’ve stated I’m uncertain about hitting of the Dbacks. Since then, I feel like I’ve had a change in heart: it is going to be a big year. Sure, Reynolds will strike out a lot, but he’ll have more RBI’s and HR’s that the year before. I’m also excited for Justin Upton. He’s been in the league for a year and a half and he’s hit the the weightroom hard this off-season(no, he’s not roids… he’s clean.). I’m hoping this is a huge season for him. My only concern is that the offense may start off really hot like last year and then cool off. I have this feeling that Bob Melvin has addressed (and is addressing) the issue of consistency and one can expect better hitting more throughout the year.

Now rip me a new one. I’ve left out details on purpose in hopes of igniting a good debate!

According to MLB.com reporter Steve Gilbert, 11 players and 1 coach were out from practice today because of the flu. Is it just me, or does it seem like this thing is hitting all over the place? I have had 15 friends and teammates come down with a nasty flu bug over the past week and I’m hope I’m not next!

Beyond that, the Dbacks certainly have interesting news lately when it comes to the bullpen.

Pre-spring training, Arizona had a two spots to fill in the bullpen. With the signing of Tom Gordon, it was then the impression that there was only one spot left(which reminded me of The Dark Knight, when the Joker says something along the lines of, “I have a position open on my team. There are three of you, but only one spot available. The one who doesn’t die, gets the spot.”). News has now come out that “Flash” Gordon is not ready to pitch because of his elbow, and has been reported there are now THREE spots in the ‘pen being fought for (including Tom Gordon). I thought I was following the whole situation pretty well, but I can’t get my head around there are 2 additional spots to fight for after only one player being injured.

How the fight for the bullpen looks... metaphorically.

Also making news is good ol’ Juan Cruz. There have been rumors that Cruz may be part of a “sign and trade” deal, which ends up sending him to the Twins. If you aren’t sure what’s going on, let me take the time to explain:

Juan Cruz is considered to be a Class A free agent, which means he’s a higher commodity, and if a team signs him Arizona gets a compensation draft pick in return. Being as no team seemingly wanted to give up a pick (making it hard for players to find a home), there is a “sign and trade deal”, which means that the team the player was playing for signs them to a contract and then trades them to their team of choice (who have already agreed to terms with both the team and the player… there is no backing out of a deal like this once struck). In this case, Arizona would get a player instead of a draft pick. However, I feel like Josh Byrnes is going to be extremely picky because he’s giving up a compensation pick here and I know he won’t want any Joe Shmo (or Joe Smith, right Mets Fans just kidding I guess I should say Indians fans now!).

Anyway, it now seems like the Twins haven’t offered Juan Cruz a deal and Byrnes is playing the “I’m not doing any thing until there is a deal with Juan” card. Good Move! Personally, I think Arizona should resign him and NOT trade (but I guess Arizona isn’t wanting to pay the salary he wants).

And finally, the Dbacks claimed Bobby Korecky off waivers… from the Twins, of all people. He just reported to camp and is also fighting for one of the three available bullpen spots. I was worried for a while from November on that our bullpen would be depleted, but it’s looking like we’re going to be SOLID! Now how about the hitting aspect…  We’ll see!

Hello, World!!!!

My name is Cameron Webb and I’m super excited to be a blogger for the Arizona Diamondbacks! I’ve done a few minor writings for blogs but nothing as full scale (nor as cool)!

Background: I live in Iowa, smack dab in the fun part of”Tornado Alley.” I’m also in my final semester of studying Computer Science at Luther College.

Why I’m a DBacks fan: In 1998, I had never been to an MLB game before. While visiting some family in Phoenix, we decided to go. It was a game against the Colorado Rockies, and I remember also that it was a tight battle for most of the game…until in the bottom of the 9th. The Dbacks hitters simply unloaded on the Rockies pitching (as they were down 3) to win the game. The roar of the crowd and their excitment was fun thing for me to experience, and from there I was hooked (and yes, Arizona had a crummy year. Really though, how much can you expect out of an expansion team?).

Enough about me, on to the “real” blogging!

To start, the amount of talent the Dbacks have coming back this year is phenomenal. Upton, Jackson, Drew, and Reynolds are going to be stronger than ever this year. With that in mind, it will still be the case that the DBacks pitching is the reason they win games. With arguably the best 1-2 punch in the Majors with Brandon Webb and Dan Haren, Arizona also added John Garland. His ERA might be high but I feel as if the likes of Webby and Haren may help him hone in on his pitching, and that my friends is a scary thing for everyone facing him. On top of that, Doug Davis is back, and I predict he’ll be a little more consistent this year (last year, he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and wasn’t really the same since).

And finally: Max Scherzer.

Yes, he has multi-colored pupils, but he also some wicked pitching!

If you HAVEN’T heard about this kid, you will. Last year, he went on a tear in his first major league appearance in relief, sitting down 13 straight batters! This kid has some crazy potential, and if he can keep up what he did last year, he’s in for a great year!

One other note: 4 Days until the first Dbacks Spring Training Game! Get excited!!!

When Randy Johnson pitches, everything stops and every eye is on him, waiting for yet another strike out. Last Saturday, he provide a glance of what is yet to come and what came to help him win 295 games, strike out 4,789 batters and of course five CY Young awards.

Below are some of the questions the left handed pitcher answered with a smile, and, despite all of his achievements, with immense humility.

Advise to young pitchers:

“There’s nothing in this game I haven’t done. You’re wondering whether you’re ever going to win a ballgame. And then I’ve won 10 games in a row. I’ve had surgeries. I’ve had to battle back from those kind of things.

“I’ve had bad games. I know how you can mentally be dragging a little bit towards the end of the year. I know the demands that Tim [Lincecum] will have this year after winning the Cy Young. The door is opening for Brandon Webb. The door is opening for a player like Tim Lincecum. “I won a Cy Young in Seattle and then I came to Arizona and won four in a row. Ironically enough, my best year statistically wasn’t until I won my fifth Cy Young.

Randy Johnson: The type of pitcher:

“At this point in my career, my ability and my skills may have diminished, but not my edge or my desire to still be good. As long as I have that, that’s what motivates me. That’s what motivated me and that’s why I was so dangerous, I suppose, because I could throw 100 mph and I wanted to win. Now I still want to win, but I can win throwing 92 and it’s made me a better pitcher, as well.”

The possibility of his 300^th victory with the Giants and not with Arizona or Seattle.

I’ve done a lot in Arizona; it would have been fitting to do it there. It’s not like I’m not familiar with the San Francisco Giants. I’ve pitched against them quite a bit. I’m familiar with the ballpark. I’m familiar with the Bay Area. It’s where I grew up. It’s as good of a last chapter, if you will, of my career that there could be.”

There’s not a blank page yet. We’re still filling the page up. The author’s still at work. I haven’t had a 5.00 ERA since, because my back has been surgically fixed. If I do, I’ll retire.”