By Trevor Utley
Arizona finished even last year for the second consecutive season. They overachieved on the back of a herculean effort from first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and a stellar debut from left handed starter Patrick Corbin. They addressed two of their biggest weaknesses this offseason by adding Angels slugger Mark Trumbo and White Sox closer Addison Reed. Why are they all the way down at #20 then? Paul Goldschmidt proved last year that one man does not a lineup make. Even the addition of Trumbo does not give this lineup a level of imposition against the elite pitchers of the NL West. They have little to no speed to speak of and that affects them both in the batter's box and the basepaths but the field as well. Even when they get baserunners they do an awful job of bringing them home. Though the addition of Reed is a good move, it does not clear up a murky closer situation that led to 29 blown saves in 2013. As many as five different arms could claim the role and closing by committee is never a beacon of success. GM Kevin Towers and manager Kirk Gibson are both no longer in lame duck situations but they may be back under fire next off-season after finishing under .500 for the first time since 2010.
PREDICTED RECORD: 77-85
PREDICTED ALL-STAR REPS: Paul Goldschmidt, first baseman; Mark Trumbo, outfielder
Image Credit: Diamondbacks logo (sportslogos.net)
PREDICTED RECORD: 77-85
PREDICTED ALL-STAR REPS: Paul Goldschmidt, first baseman; Mark Trumbo, outfielder
Image Credit: Diamondbacks logo (sportslogos.net)
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