Spring training site
Tucson, Ariz.
2007 record
90-72, won NL West, lost to Colorado in NLCS
New faces
RHP Billy Buckner (trade, Astros); IF Chris Burke (trade, Astros); RHP Juan Gutierrez (trade, Astros); RHP Dan Haren (trade, A’s); RHP Chad Qualls (trade, Astros) INF/OF Chris Burke (trade, Astros), OF Trot Nixon (free agent, Indians); RHP Chad Qualls (trade, Astros).
Biggest offseason acquisition
It's Haren by a mile. The AL All-Star Game starter from 2007 was shuttled to Arizona as part of a rebuilding effort in Oakland, and with Brandon Webb and a resurgent Randy Johnson, it's a recipe for three-game sweeps all over the place for the Diamondbacks.
Gone but not forgotten
Closer Jose Valverde was traded for prospects to Houston, an interesting move for a Diamondbacks team that was so successful last season. But the Diamondbacks are confident in the back end of their bullpen with new closer Brandon Lyon as well as setup guys Tony Pena and Chad Qualls, who came in the trade for Valverde. The Diamondbacks also lost innings-eater Livan Hernandez (now with the Twins), who was effective in the postseason, and 1B Tony Clark (now with the Padres), who was a good bat off the bench and as a part-time starter.
Spring training battles
All eyes are on Randy Johnson to see if he can come back and be effective at age 44. He had back surgery last August, and this could be it for the 6-foot-10 fireballing left-hander. If Johnson is healthy, then the rotation and lineup are essentially set.
Projected lineup
- CF Chris Young
- 2B Orlando Hudson
- 1B Conor Jackson
- LF Eric Byrnes
- 3B Mark Reynolds
- SS Stephen Drew
- RF Justin Upton
- C Chris Snyder
- Pitcher
Projected starting rotation
- RHP Brandon Webb
- LHP Randy Johnson
- RHP Dan Haren
- LHP Doug Davis
- RHP Micah Owings
Projected bullpen
- RHP Brandon Lyon (closer)
- RHP Tony Pena
- RHP Chad Qualls
- LHP Doug Slaten
- RHP Juan Cruz
- RHP Edgar Gonzalez
Biggest strength
Webb is one of the best pitchers in baseball, and adding Haren was a huge move that could make the Diamondbacks the favorite in the NL West again.
Glaring weakness
Even with their success in 2007, recall that the Diamondbacks were last in the National League in hitting at .250. Their lineup looks like a nice collection of No. 6 hitters. It would be beneficial if one of their young hitters – Justin Upton or Mark Reynolds, perhaps? – becomes a middle-of-the-order run producer. Young is a budding star as the leadoff man.
