Posts by: Jeff Wiser
Here at Inside the ‘Zona, we don’t report news very often, instead opting to analyze things that either did, can, should or should not happen. But this is TANAKA MANIA and I (unilaterally) suppose we can make an exception, Here’s the news:
The Diamondbacks have reportedly offered Masahiro Tanaka a 6-year, $120 million contract.
(*Note: this bit of …
Continue Reading →The common narrative around the “battle” at shortstop is that the Diamondbacks are going to let Didi Gregorius and Chris Owings fight it out to decide the starter. There’s one problem here, however, and that’s the fact that both of these guys profile to be pretty similar as solid, but not outstanding, shortstops. Yes, Didi plays outstanding defense and …
Continue Reading →In case you missed it, Ryan and I have begun contributing over at Beyond the Box Score as of three weeks ago. During our short stint there to date, we’ve published some really good stuff and I encourage you to head over there and check out our work and the writing of our saber-savvy colleagues. I’m bringing this up because …
Continue Reading →I’ve just got done releasing the last of the Diamondbacks’ Steamer projections. Don’t believe me? You can find them on this very website! Because I like you, I’ll even link them here: Primer | Rotation | Outfield | Bullpen | Infield. You should check them out because they’re loaded with information from one of the most advanced baseball projection …
Continue Reading →*Previous entries: Steamer Projections Primer | 2014 Rotation | 2014 Outfield | 2014 Bullpen
While the 2013 Diamondbacks outfield had some great defensive performances, the infield led the way offensively. #MVPaul did most of that damage as he became one of baseballs true young stars. Aaron Hill was very good when healthy and Martin Prado, despite some down months, …
Continue Reading →*Previous entries: Steamer Projections Primer | 2014 Rotation | 2014 Outfield
Writing about the Arizona bullpen is like having to talk to your neighbors. No, not the friendly neighbors who invited you over drinks last night, I’m talking about the neighbors who smile when you see them but throw their dog poop over the fence and into your lawn. …
Continue Reading →*Previous entries: Steamer Projection Primer | 2014 Rotation
The Diamondbacks’ outfield was solid but unspectacular at the plate in 2013. There were no black holes, at least once Jason Kubel stopped receiving playing time, as everyone posted a wOBA right around .320. Unfortunately, there were no standouts with the bat and unit lacked offensive punch last season. Defense, though, …
Continue Reading →*If you’re unfamiliar with these projections, please read the Primer on Steamer Projections
The Arizona rotation did not grade out particularly well in 2013. Although Patrick Corbin had an unexpected breakout, several rotation members disappointed. Ian Kennedy pitched himself right out of a Diamondbacks uniform, Brandon McCarthy never got it together and Trevor Cahill was wildly inconsistent. Wade Miley …
Continue Reading →Over the next couple of weeks, Inside the ‘Zona will be previewing the upcoming season through Steamer projections. Each post will feature a different Diamondbacks unit (ie. bullpen, outfield, etc.) and a player-by-player breakdown within those units. Provided will be each player’s Steamer projection for 2013, his actual performance for 2013, the player’s Steamer projection for 2014 and a capsule …
Continue Reading →‘Tis the season for asking for things that are unrealistic and I figured I should climb aboard that ship, but before I go any further, Ryan and I would like to sincerely wish you all a happy holiday season. This site has grown rapidly over its short, five-month life span and we truly enjoy writing it. Along those same …
Continue Reading →We’ve all heard it whispered: Kevin Towers is going for it all this year. With both Kevin Towers and Kirk Gibson in the last year of their respective deals (and quite possibly on the hot seat), it’s no wonder that people are coming to this conclusion. The team has been more active than any other team on the trade market …
Continue Reading →It seems like only yesterday (because it was) that I was writing about how the Diamondbacks could have used Matt Davidson to be their power bat in the outfield rather than flipping Eaton and Skaggs for Mark Trumbo. As it turns out, the Diamondbacks had been getting Davidson outfield reps in winter instructs and I was going to talk …
Continue Reading →It’s Friday and where I come from, Friday is supposed to be fun. So I think we should kick the weekend off early and have a little fun by playing a familiar game. It’s called “Guess That Power Hitter!” If you haven’t played before, the rules are simple. Read the career stat line of each player and guess who it …
Continue Reading →*Note: this is a continuation of yesterday’s post. You can take it for what it is, but I’d recommend reading the first half to get the full effect.
Yesterday we examined the two power-hitting outfielders that we know the Diamondbacks have been in on. Both Mark Trumbo and Yoenis Cespedes fit the bill as a “power bat” in …
Continue Reading →@ryanpmorrison
Best part of Peralta’s 108 mph fliner over the fence, IMHO: that he got that much leverage despite scooping it out… https://t.co/ivBrl76adF, 
RT @OutfieldGrass24: If you're bored of watching Patrick Corbin get dudes out, you can check out my latest for @TheAthleticAZ. https://t.co/k1DymgY7zO, - Of course, they may have overtaken the league lead for outs on the bases just now, also...
But in 2017, Arizona ha… https://t.co/38MBrr2D4b,
- Prior to the games today, there had only been 5 steals of 3rd this season (and no CS) in the National League. The… https://t.co/gVVL84vPQ5,
- RT @OutfieldGrass24: Patrick Corbin has a WPA of .318 and it's only the fifth inning.,
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RT @TheAthleticAZ: Talking points for Talking Stick: Taking a closer look at the @Suns arena situation, courtesy @BobYoungTHI
https://t.co/ArDvZsSM2t, - Four hours left to vote https://t.co/6IOquJ3LN6,
- It’s 👏 Not 👏 The 👏 Players 👏 https://t.co/JRGwwT6GKV,
RT @mikeaxisa: Spoiler: If they become free agents, teams will come up with reasons not to pay them too. https://t.co/sbQ20sf6Ln, 
RT @hopnotes: New from the blog: Anheuser-Busch-owned beer media website just so happens to think Anheuser-Busch made some of the… https://t.co/un7g34so7f,
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