2008 Arizona Diamondbacks Preview

My main man Dave "Cash" Latimer previews the Arizona Diamondback and offers some predictions for the 2008 MLB season.

2008 D-Backs

Starting 5

Most people will point to the Mets signing of Johan Santana as the biggest splash of the off-season, but you could certainly argue that the D-Backs signing of Dan Haren will have a stronger impact. The innings eating righty brings his career sub 4.00 ERA to Phoenix and will comfortably slide into the two spot behind 2006 Cy Young winner Brandon Webb. This gives the D-Backs arguably the best 1-2 punch in the league and 2008 is already drawing comparisons to the “glory years” of Johnson and Schilling. As for The Unit, he has recovered from yet another back surgery and is hoping to give Arizona at least 25 starts as he continues to inch his way to 300 victories (16 shy). Add lefty Doug Davis and Silver Slugger winner Micah Owings to the pitching mix and the D-Backs are primed to defend their NL West crown.

Bullpen

The exit of Jose Valverde, last year’s saves leader, didn’t exactly bring tears to D-Backs fans. He was notorious for walking the bases loaded and then somehow getting out of the inning, all while wearing his cap to the side and performing some sort of wide eyed Samoan dance on the mound after every out. No lead seemed safe with this guy even though he was an All Star. Not to mention that he single handedly handed the Rockies Game 2 in last year’s NLCS. Enjoy Houston! In the trade for Valverde the Astros sent pitchers Chad Qualls, Juan Guiterrez, and next year’s MVP Chris Burke (Go Vols!) to Phoenix. Qualls, Brandon Lyon, Tony Pena, and Juan Cruz will take the brunt of the bullpen work with Lyon acting as closer—at least to start the season. With 3 starters that consistently log 200+ innings the D-Backs should be able to keep their pen healthy and rested for a very competitive division race.

Starting Lineup

The D-Backs won 90 games last year despite being outscored by 20 runs or so. That formula usually doesn’t work, and since there is nowhere to go but up you can expect offensive improvements across the board from this team. The starting lineup will look something like this:

1. Chris Young (CF)—24 year old who in 2007 became the first rookie EVER to hit 30 home runs and steal 25 bases. 3rd in ROY voting.
2. Orlando Hudson (2B)—Team leader and two time Gold Glove winner whose presence was sorely missed during last year’s post season (thumb).
3. Eric Byrnes (LF)—3 years, $30 million? Really? I like the guy, but falling down on every throw and constantly sliding head first into first base (I hate that) doesn’t win ball games. He didn’t show up in the post season and for that kind of money he needs to.
4. Conor Jackson (1B)—25 year old that showed some pop toward the end of the year finishing with 15 home runs. And according to my wife he’s dreamy.
5. Mark “The Sheriff” Reynolds (3B)—While Chad Tracy recovered from injury (knee) the 24 year old Reynolds filled in admirably. He played the hot corner well and is really the only D-Back that can absolutely kill the ball—light tower power as Steve Phillips would say.
6. Stephen Drew (SS)—25 year old brother of J.D. Has as much potential as anyone on the team. He played gold glove caliber defense and had more hustle plays than anyone.
7. Justin Upton (RF)—The D-Backs #1 pick in the 2006 draft and also the younger brother of Tampa Ray’s BJ. He can absolutely fly around the bases, has a canon for an arm, and has the best compact hitting stroke I have ever seen on a righty. Plus he’s 20 years old!
8. Miguel Montero/Chris Snyder (C)—Montero (24) is the catcher of the future, but Snyder had more action last year. Miggy is a better hitter.
9. Micah Owings (P)—This guy may actually bat 6th or 7th when he’s pitching. Melvin used him as a pinch hitter twice last year. 25 years old.

As you can see the bulk of this team is 25 years old or younger. In ten years of existence the D-Backs have made the playoffs 4 times with a Series win in 2001, and with the young pool of talent they have there is no reason to think this trend won’t continue for many years to come.

2008 Predictions

AL East: Boston, New York, Toronto, Tampa Bay, Baltimore
AL Central: Detroit, Cleveland, Minnesota, Kansas City, Chicago
AL West: Anaheim, Seattle, Oakland, Texas

ROY: JOBA CHAMBERLAIN
MVP: VLADIMIR GUERRERO
CY: JOSH BECKETT

BEST RECORD: ANAHEIM
WORST RECORD: BALTIMORE
WILD CARD: NEW YORK
PENNANT WINNER: DETROIT


NL East: Philadelphia, New York, Washington, Atlanta, Florida
NL Central: Chicago, Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Houston, Pittsburgh, St. Louis
NL West: Arizona, San Diego, Colorado, Los Angeles, San Francisco

ROY: JAY BRUCE
MVP: DERREK LEE (CHRIS BURKE CLOSE 2ND)
CY: DAN HAREN

BEST RECORD: PHILADELPHIA
WORST RECORD: SAN FRANCISCO
WILD CARD: SAN DIEGO
PENNANT WINNER: PHILADELPHIA

2008 WORLD SERIES

DETROIT OVER PHILLY IN 6