Boasting a formidable starting rotation and one of the top arms in the minors (21-year-old right-hander Archie Bradley), the Arizona Diamondbacks are expected to be fine in the starting pitching category this year even if they don’t land Masahiro Tanaka. The closer’s spot, center field and right field, and shortstop are not so certain.
At 24, left-hander Patrick Corbin appears poised to serve as Arizona’s staff ace. He is joined by Trevor Cahill, Wade Miley, Brandon McCarthy and Randall Delgado, and Bradley could force his way into the rotation in 2014. Another product of the Diamondbacks farm system, 26-year-old first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, posted MVP-caliber numbers at the plate in 2013, providing middle of the order punch.
Two years ago, Arizona had three of the most highly regarded starting pitching prospects in baseball with Trevor Bauer, Tyler Skaggs and Bradley. Bauer was traded to Cleveland in December 2012 as part of the three-team deal that brought shortstop Didi Gregorius to the desert. Earlier this offseason, Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers shipped Skaggs and outfielder Adam Eaton in a three-team transaction that yielded left fielder Mark Trumbo for the Los Angeles Angels.
Who’s Elsewhere
Towers has been one of the busiest executives in baseball this offseason.
Skaggs has a high ceiling and could have joined Corbin atop the rotation, but he is now in Anaheim. Eaton was sent to the Chicago White Sox as part of that trade. Promising third baseman Matt Davidson was dealt to the White Sox for right-handed reliever Addison Reed. Veteran right-handed reliever Heath Bell was sent to Tampa Bay for a minor league pitcher and a minor league outfielder.
Relievers Daniel Hudson and Tony Sipp departed via free agency.
Who’s New/Who’s Back
Reed will compete for the closer’s role with J.J. Putz and Brad Ziegler if all three are in camp this spring. Trumbo is more comfortable at first base, but with Goldschmidt entrenched there he will occupy left field. A.J. Pollock and Gerardo Parra are projected to open the season in center field and right field respectively.
Veteran corner infielder Eric Chavez agreed to return to the Diamondbacks. He offers depth behind Goldschmidt and third baseman Martin Prado, who will play the hot corner after the trade of Davidson.
What Could Happen Before Spring Training/Opening Day
With Reed in the bullpen, the Diamondbacks could look to trade closer J.J. Putz. Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal speculated that Putz could be shipped to the New York Yankees for Ichiro Suzuki and Rosenthal also says Arizona cannot be ruled out as major players for Japanese right-hander Masahiro Tanaka.
Cody Ross fractured and dislocated a hip, which is the first known injury of its kind in Major League Baseball. He is projected to return in April, but it is uncertain if that will happen and how effective he will be when he does get back.
Chris Owings, Cliff Pennington and Gregorius will compete for the starting shortstop job in spring training, unless Towers decided to add another name.
Editor’s Note: This “New Year, New Season” post on the Arizona Diamondbacks is part of a series where Baseball News Source columnist Jeff Louderback chronicles each Major League team as spring training draws nearer.
