Article Written By: Manny Alcala
Arizona Diamondbacks
2013 Record: 81-81 (2nd in NL West)
Key additions: Mark Trumbo, Bronson Arroyo, Addison Reed, Henry Blanco, Matt Tuiasosopo.
Key losses: Adam Eaton, Tyler Skaggs, Heath Bell, Matt Davidson, Willie Bloomquist, Wil Nieves.
Most important players for 2014: Paul Goldschmidt, Mark Trumbo, Martin Prado, Gerardo Parra, Aaron Hill, Patrick Corbin, Wade Miley, Bronson Arroyo.
For some part of last season the Diamondbacks stood in first place in their division, until the Los Angeles Dodgers went on their amazing run and eventually won the division. Meanwhile the D-backs finished exactly at .500 with an 81-81 record. At times they showed that they could compete with the Dodgers, but now with some moves made to their roster, the D-backs seem like they have a much better squad that should easily finish with more than 81 wins.
The snakes made a huge move by acquiring Mark Trumbo from the Angels via a trade. A lot of questions are tied to Trumbo for his below average defense, as he will most likely play in left field this season. But Trumbo adds power to this lineup. He has hit more than 30 home runs each of his last two seasons, and now playing his home games at Chase Field should help him as many say that it is a hitter friendly park, especially when the stadium’s panels are open.
Trumbo will now also serve as protection for Paul Goldschmidt in the lineup. Goldy had a tremendous breakout year last season in which he hit 36 home runs and drove in 125 RBIs finishing second in the NL MVP race. You can only imagine that Goldschmidt will get better as the D-backs now have a deeper lineup than last season.
The closer role has been a problem in recent years for Arizona. Heath Bell didn’t work out and J.J. Putz was the pitcher that mainly closed games for the Diamondbacks. This year might be different, though, as Addison Reed was acquired from the Chicago White Sox. Reed earned 40 saves last season for the last place Sox and, now with Arizona, he should have more opportunities to save as they should be a winning team. He is still young at age 25, and will look to continue to improve with his new team.
Recently acquired starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo will bring a very much needed veteran presence to this rotation. With two very good young pitchers in Patrick Corbin and Wade Miley, Arroyo can serve as a mentor and help them with his experience.
The two key guys for Arizona’s success, though, are Brandon McCarthy and Trevor Cahill. Both of these starters need to have much better seasons than the ones they had last year. If both McCarthy and Cahill can bounce back, by adding them to the rotation the D-backs can have very good production from their pitching staff this year.
As for the rest of the lineup, Arizona is looking good with players like Aaron Hill, Gerardo Parra, Miguel Montero and Martin Prado. Hill has quickly become one of the best second baseman in the game. Parra is a very underrated player, he can occasionally swing a good bat, but his fielding is tremendous as he has a canon for an arm and was tied for first in the league with 41 DRS. Montero had a rough year in 2012, but will look to once again be the doubles machine he was a couple years back. And Martin Prado is one of the most consistent players, plus an unbelievable utility man that can play almost any position on the field.
Overall, Arizona has put together a really nice ball club, the additions should help a lot. Expect the Diamondbacks to be competing with the Dodgers for the division. Even though LA might look as heavy favorites to win this division, I think the D-backs can give them a great fight, and even if Arizona falls short of the division, they should be involved in the hunt for the wild card berth.