After an active offseason that has seen them trade outfielders Justin Upton and Chris Young, third baseman Chris Johnson and highly regarded starting pitching prospect Trevor Bauer, the Arizona Diamondbacks have a new look heading into the 2013 campaign. That look has a chance to result in a post-season berth, even with the upgraded Los Angeles Dodgers, the steady San Francisco Giants and the surging San Diego Padres.
It was surprising that the Diamondbacks shipped the 28-year-old Johnson with Upton in a deal with the Atlanta Braves that yielded versatile infielder/outfielder Martin Prado, promising right-handed starting pitcher Randall Delgado and minor leaguers Brandon Drury, Nick Ahmed and Zeke Spruill. Yet Arizona does have 21-year-old right-handed slugger Matt Davidson who is almost Major League ready at the hot corner. Shedding the salaries of Upton and Johnson gives the Diamondbacks more flexibility as well.
Until Davidson is deemed Major League ready, Prado will occupy third base while the Diamondbacks outfield will consist of holdover Jason Kubel in left, Cody Ross in center and Gerardo Parra in right with prospects Adam Eaton and A.J. Pollock battling for spots.
Catcher Miguel Montero provides additional pop behind plate while veterans Eric Chavez (first and third), Eric Hinske (left field and right field) and Willie Bloomquist (infield and outfield) give manager Kirk Gibson valuable versatility.
Though Upton and Young are gone, the Diamondbacks lineup projects to score enough for a strong rotation that features returnees Ian Kennedy, Trevor Cahill and Wade Miley, and newcomer Brandon McCarthy. The No. 5 starter’s role will be filled by Patrick Corbin, Daniel Hudson, Tyler Skaggs or Delgado. The first three are talented products of the Arizona farm system while Delgado is just 22 and has Major League experience with Atlanta and a high ceiling. Skaggs was ranked at No. 7 on the Baseball News Source Top 10 Prospects List for 2013.
J.J. Putz returns as the closer along with David Hernandez and Brad Ziegler as the primary set-up men. They will be joined by reinforcements Heath Bell and Tony Sipp, so two spots in the pen are open.
Arizona is left without star power with the departure of Upton, yet this is a club that could generate steady production from its lineup supported by plus starting pitching and a reliable bullpen. The Diamondbacks understandably expect to contend in 2013.
About Salt River Fields at Talking Stick
The majestic and new Salt River Fields at Talking Stick is the first Major League Baseball spring training facility constructed on Native American land. The complex represents a partnership between the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies.
Salt River Fields is set on 140 acres of scenic landscape with views of Camelback Mountain, the McDowell Mountains, Four Peaks, Red Mountain, and the Superstition Mountains.
The complex features an 11,000-seat capacity ballpark, 12 practice fields, Major and Minor League clubhouses, training facilities and offices.
Fans can see the mountains amid the Sonoran Desert from every seat in the ballpark.
About Scottsdale
Metropolitan Phoenix is called the Valley of the Sun for good reason. There is 325-plus days of sunshine every year. A suburb of Phoenix, Scottsdale offers fans a myriad of activities to experience when they are not watching their team at Salt River Fields.
At night, Scottsdale springs to life with pulsating dance clubs, wild west-style saloons and upscale wine bars. Renowned art galleries and funky Old Town can be found in downtown Scottsdale, which boasts the nation’s third-largest artist community.
Care to shop while you’re in town? Fifth Avenue is known for its boutiques and Native American jewelry and crafts stores. Main Street and Marshall Way house a myriad of art galleries in different styles and interior-design shops.
Visitors can get a glimpse of what it was like a century ago at Old Town Scottsdale, which is billed as “The West’s Most Western Town.” Rustic storefronts and wooden sidewalks line the street. Mexican imports and high-quality jewelry are showcased alongside kitschy souvenirs.
A half-hour drive from Scottsdale sits a National Historic Landmark composed of 600 acres in the Sonoran Desert at the foothills of the McDowell Mountains. Architect Frank Lloyd Wright chose this spot as his permanent winter residence called Taliesin West. Wright and his apprentices build a desert camp and incorporated organic architecture to integrate buildings into their natural surroundings.
Today, Taliesin West is a bustling community of architects and students, and it includes two theaters, living quarters, a drafting studio, a music pavilion and the Sun Trap, which features sleeping spaces that surround an open patio and a fireplace.
Guided tours are offered, from a one-hour excursion to a three-hour behind-the-scenes tour.
For more information about activities, sites, restaurants, hotels and night life in Scottsdale, visit www.experiencescottsdale.com.
Arizona Diamondbacks Spring Training Information
Feb. 11 – Pitchers and catchers report
Feb. 14 – Position players report
Salt River Fields at Talking Stick
7555 N. Pima Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
480-270-5000
Single-Game Ticket Information
Infield Box, $27
Dugout Reserve, $25
Infield Reserve, $23
View Reserve, $21
Baseline Reserve, $18
Lawn, $8
For ticket information and a schedule, visit here
