I'm still wondering why the Diamondbacks don't play their spring training games in their own home stadium, Chase Field. Why not? Same goes to the Marlins and Rays. The Diamondbacks coaching staff would be a great 80s throwback team: Alan Trammell, Kirk Gibson, Don Baylor. They are tasked today with moving a very young but talented D-Backs team forward. Out are star OF Justin Upton, 3B Chris Johnson and SS Stephen Drew. In are SP Brandon McCarthy and lots more. Let's get to the slithering snakes...
Starting Lineup
CF Gerardo Parra
3B Martin Prado
1B Paul Goldschmidt
LF Jason Kubel
C Miguel Montero
2B Aaron Hill
RF Cody Ross
SS Cliff Pennington
I'm still trying to fathom the Cody Ross signing. It makes no sense, whatsoever. The Diamondbacks were loaded on OF already and have two, not one, two MLB ready OF in Adam Eaton and AJ Pollack. I know Eaton and Pollack aren't power hitters, but Goldschmidt, Kubel, Montero and Hill are good for 100 home runs. Throw in one of them in front of Prado - run making machines. I think Parra gets the call because of his experience since the three skill sets are all essentially the same. I LOVE the Prado acquisition and extension - one of the most underrated players in the league. Goldschmidt is my breakout player of the year. Pennington holds down the fort until Didi Gregorius is ready. I like this lineup (except Pennington - and GM Kevin Towers could have gotten MUCH more for Trevor Bauer). Young and talented.
Starting Pitching
SP Ian Kennedy
SP Brandon McCarthy
SP Trevor Cahill
SP Wade Miley
SP Patrick Corbin
1-4 aren't changing. I don't understand why they went after McCarthy because they are loaded on young starting pitching as well. Nevertheless, Kennedy, the hilarious McCarthy (seriously, follow him on Twitter) and Cahill are solid veterans. Miley nearly won the NL ROY. I'm giving Corbin the 5 spot only due to the Diamondbacks depth chart on their site: Dan Hudson gets his spot back after he gets back during the summer. Randall Delgado and Tyler Skaggs are in the mix as well, but the Diamondbacks are set here, too.
Bullpen
CL JJ Putz
SU David Hernandez
SU Heath Bell
SU Brad Ziegler
LHS Tony Sipp
LR Josh Collmenter
SU Matt Reynolds
This bullpen is solid as well. Putz is a solid closer. Hernandez has been fantastic since coming over from Baltimore. Bell should be a nice reclamation project. Ziegler and Sipp are good middle relievers and Collmenter and Reynolds will hold the middle innings. If Heath Bell gets back on track, this should be a lock down bullpen.
I'm really excited about this Diamondbacks team. It would not surprise me at all if they win the division, but I have them finishing a slight 2nd. A sleeper team - and not just for the Wild Card.
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