Comments on: ReclinerGM’s 2009 MLB Preview: Arizona Diamondbacks

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 13:58:33 +0000

Wait….Jacob is alive?

Pete, thanks for mentioning Olson. You’ve awakened much repressed memories of every save opportunity he squandered in our early days. If you ever wanted to sketch his most common position, you’d draw him on his knees looking North-east, where the opposing team’s bottom of the order just took him to the deepest part of the field.

By now Manny has decided to stick around in L.A. I think the Dbacks’ pitching will provide some exciting games against the Dodgers throughout the season, but if our hitting continues to be flukey – I’d agree with us taking second place, with no shot at the Wild Card.

By: ReclinerGM’s 2009 MLB Preview

ReclinerGM’s 2009 MLB Preview — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:37:50 +0000

[...] Arizona Diamondbacks [...]

By: Jacob

Jacob — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 05:39:55 +0000

I think Drew will probably continue to round into an All-Star caliber player, while Jackson will continue to be an on-base machine. Reynolds, Upton, and Young are similar in that they all have tons of raw power but strike out too much. If I had to rank their prospects for putting it all together this year, I’d probably say Young, then Upton, then Reynolds.

By: Pete

Pete — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 21:23:33 +0000

jacob-

thanks for the info.... i knew i would have noticed Drew's name on a FA list.

who do you think will have the best year: Young, Upton, Jackson, Reynolds or Drew?

By: Jacob

Jacob — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 21:19:12 +0000

- Doug Davis had a 111 ERA+ in 192.7 innings in 2007, and a 107 ERA+ in 146 innings last year (he was out with thyroid cancer). For $7 million a year, that’s a pretty good value.

- Stephen Drew signed a Major League deal as a draftee, but still has 4 years of Arizona control, including 3 arbitration years.

By: Pete

Pete — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 01:03:09 +0000

Jimmy -

you are right, I did miss some stuff here....

unis are changed, and I catch Stephen Drew's contract. He's definitely the best FA.

Davis over Tracy though. Carlos Silva got $40 million for having a similar ERA to Davis. Tracy has 70-some RBI the last 2 years combined and he'll be 30 next year. team option doesn't disqualify.

By: Jimmy

Jimmy — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 00:43:57 +0000

Well, it’s clear that Pete took the quick hits off for this review. Other than the obvious mistake of linking to the 1971 White Sox as the worst uniforms, I have to guffaw at your choice in best player in a contract year. Doug Davis might actually qualify as the worst contract in fact, making $8.75 million this season. He is one game under .500 for his career, with an ERA of 4.34 and a WHIP of 1.491. He’s only had two seasons with ERAs under 4 and WHIPs under 1.4, and those were with the Brewers in 2004 and 2005. He is the definition of an average pitcher. Probably worse. He hasn’t begun to earn the $22 million Arizona signed him for.

As for players in contract years who actually have talent, Chad Tracy is in the last year of his deal (although with a team option, not sure if that disqualifies you in that section), Jon Rauch also has an option year coming up next year, and Stephen Drew’s five year deal is up this year.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:55:43 +0000

A couple of quick thoughts:

1. One could argue that RJ’s 2002 season was better than his 2001 season.

2. The worst uniforms were the home whites used from 2001-2006

http://exhibits.baseballhalloffame.org/dressed_to_the_nines/detail_page.asp?fileName=nl_2001_arizona.gif&Entryid=1982

3. One could make the argument that Drew made the “leap” last year, while Chris Young had a quietly impressive second half, and Conor Jackson seems destined to be a hit machine lacking in HR power, a valuable commodity nonetheless. If Reynolds and Upton can be a little more selective at the plate, this team should win the division.

4. I could see the Manny Ramirez thing going either way. Either he puts up huge numbers and keeps a loose clubhouse, or he grumbles about his contract while alienating his teammates and fans.