Diamondbacks Need Saving from Themselves
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by user EricByrnesTriesHard
[]Nine games over .500, just one and a half games out of first place in the National League West as well as the wildcard lead, the Arizona Diamondbacks are falling apart. It's tough to watch it all unfold, really. Fans are upset, players are getting angry with management, injuries are lingering, and the play is suffering. Go to a Diamondbacks forum online and you'll think you're reading a bunch of angry Yankee fans. All of this despite the fantastic start to the season.
A 7-1 win Tuesday night helps, but news of Randy Johnson missing the start and going back to the DL for the 3rd time this season doesn't. And even though their record is great, the play hasn't been, as they've been outscored by 25 runs on the year. Their wins are nailbiting one or two run games (pause for applaud for all-star closer Jose Valverde), and their losses are blowouts.
The D'Backs are hitting just .248, bad enough for fourth worst in all of the majors. This along with their recent cold streak has raised questions about possible trades and future player contracts. All-Star second baseman Orlando Hudson is quoted in the Arizona Republic as saying he doesn't think he'll be in Arizona in the coming years.
"I don't think I'll be here for the remainder of my career. Even for the next couple of years, I don't think I'll be here," Hudson said.
Hudson is scheduled to be in Arizona next year, and he'll become a free agent after the 2008 season. But there are quiet rumors of him recently asking for a contract extension and GM Josh Byrnes declining. It's believable because the D'Backs are tight on cash at the moment and Hudson's price is undoubtedly rising, especially after the news of Chase Utley's new $85 million deal.
GM Byrnes and Manager Bob Melvin talked recently about possible roster moves:
> “I think we have to consider it,” Byrnes said. “I don't think we're ever in the mode of change for change's sake, but I think we're all frustrated that we haven't been as consistent offensively as we think we can be.”
Letting an all-star caliber player walk away, or even trading him, in the prime of his career though may be a fatal move for Arizona. The D'Backs are one of the youngest, most promising teams in baseball. In Tuesday night's win, Arizona played 6 position players who are 25 years old or younger, two 27 year olds, 29 year old Cabrera, and 31 year old Eric Byrnes (I know that doesn't add up, they used 2 pinch hitters). And these guys aren't just young players playing because Arizona sucks and doesn't have anyone else. They are in the lineup because they have talent and should be really good players...someday, at least.
There are talks of trading Outfielder Carlos Quentin, who is struggling mightily this year, hitting just .212 after he hurt his shoulder in Spring Training. Some people think he is still hurt and trying to play through it. In any event, something is wrong with him, and he was benched yesterday though he did pinch hit. Same goes for SS Stephen Drew. Last year he hit over .315 after reaching the Bigs in July, but this year he's hitting just .240. Is he hurt? Probably not, but something is obviously bothering him.
These guys will eventually come around though. Maybe it will be in the second half, maybe not 'till next year, but it's going to happen. And when it does, the D'Backs need their veterans to be around to help make a run at the playoffs and a World Series championship.
They have the talent to make up a dynasty-like run over the next 10 years. If, that is, they hold onto their players. If they know what's best for this team, they won't panic around the trade deadline this year and ship off Eric Byrnes and Orlando Hudson. Minor league outfielder Justin Upton, a former number one pick of the Diamondbacks, is waiting for his chance in the majors, but hes still only 20 years old, he can wait a few more seasons while this team blossoms.
This core group of talented players they have amassed should all hit their prime around the same time in a few years, and hopefully Byrnes and Hudson are around to witness it. Hell, they are only 1.5 games back, I'm not counting out a World Series run this year.
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