In case you missed it, we published our Offseason Plan the week before last. In that piece we, like we have done every year, looked for ways to the make the Diamondbacks a better baseball team. As we started out we developed some large goals, ones that are hardly unique if you read this site regularly. Upgraded catching, more athletic …
Continue Reading →It doesn’t seem all that long ago that Kevin Towers was relieved of his duties and we all did the happy dance, more or less. Sure, Tony La Russa might have been an unconventional choice as a pseudo replacement, but he had a pretty compelling on-field record to back up the logic. The appointment of Dave Stewart was maybe a …
Continue Reading →We’ve known for a very long time that the Diamondbacks were in need of bullpen reinforcements. Things looked kind good in early 2016 with Daniel Hudson, Tyler Clippard, and Brad Ziegler all being better than average relief arms. That group was due to make something like $14.3 million in 2016, and while the triumvirate proved effective more often …
Continue Reading →We have fun with the Offseason Plan, but we do try to take the project seriously — in November, we hashed out our offseason priorities and then tried to examine each of the other 29 organizations through that lens. As we were trying to turn goals and fits into actual transactions, things kept happening — the Taijuan Walker trade was …
Continue Reading →Change is inevitable, and it seems as if there’s been nothing but change for the Diamondbacks since their disappointing, 69-win 2016 season came to a close. Out went Dave Stewart and Tony La Russa from lead roles, and in came Mike Hazen, Amiel Sawdaye, Torey Lovullo and others. After pushing hard for contention in 2016 under Stewart, the …
Continue Reading →Let’s say you took over a baseball club with a recent history of some severe struggles. The main culprit, it appears, is pitching—only a handful of pitchers have broken through for the team in recent memory, and most have done quite a bit worse than expected. The fact that many pitchers have struggled at the same time has caused a …
Continue Reading →News broke late Wednesday night that owners and the Major League Players Association (MLBPA) had reached an agreement on a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA). This was good news because it means baseball will enjoy five more years of labor rest and a lockout was avoided. But as the terms began to leak out, well, the deal began to look …
Continue Reading →The D-backs’ early blockbuster trade has mostly been panned as the Jean Segura for Taijuan Walker deal. You can see why — those players are likely to have the biggest impact on the long-term evaluation of the deal. They’re the most talented players in the swap, but this narrative clearly leaves the peripheral pieces on, well, the periphery. The Mariners …
Continue Reading →Trades are funny. I mean, there’s such a wide range of responses no matter the deal. Trade Ian Kennedy for Matt Stites? Great move, save money. Bad move, Ian Kennedy eats innings. Trade Adam Eaton and Tyler Skaggs for Mark Trumbo? Bad move, Eaton and Skaggs are budding young players. Great move, DINGERZ. Trade Dansby Swanson, …
Continue Reading →Weeks after Tyler Wagner was disappeared off waivers by the Rangers, former GM Dave Stewart’s signature acquisition, Jean Segura, was parceled off to Seattle. With Segura went Mitch Haniger, half of the return former GM Kevin Towers extracted from Milwaukee in the last throes of his reign. In exchange? Taijuan Walker, the pitcher that Towers didn’t get for Justin Upton …
Continue Reading →The Diamondbacks got the hot stove going properly Wednesday night. A trade that sent Jean Segura, Mitch Haniger and Zac Curtis to the Mariners for Taijuan Walker and Ketel Marte is one hell of a way to start the offseason. I mean, no one saw that coming. As we’ve been working diligently on our Offseason Plan, I can let …
Continue Reading →There’s an axiom on the internet that simply states, “don’t read the comments.” I get that. Comment sections are littered with thoughtless, rude comments. Well, I should say most comment section, because here, things have been very good. I can’t even count the number of posts that have been born in the comments here. Readers have been a great inspiration …
Continue Reading →The hot stove is heating up, but not in Arizona. There was no one to extend a qualifying offer to, though old friend Jeremy Hellickson accepted one from the Phillies and that created some waves. The Diamondbacks gave away outfielder Justin Williams, now one of Tampa Bay’s top prospects, and shortstop Andrew Velazquez, who’s had his last two …
Continue Reading →Everyone wants to know what Mike Hazen is going to do. I’d throw my hat in that ring, too, but I understand that he’s had a boatload of work to do in reworking the front office and coaching staff. There’s been more turnover than just about anyone anticipated and filling those holes — re-crafting Arizona’s decision-making nucleus — has rightfully …
Continue Reading →The game of Diamondbacks musical chairs continues. I sometimes wonder what song they’re playing when the music is on. Is it light pop music? Maybe White Snake? Perhaps it’s some modern house music to confuse the middle-aged participants? Either way, the music stopped briefly yesterday and several people were left without a chair, notably coaches Mark Grace and Matt Williams…
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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- Every once in a while you get a beer that's just a little off... Usually happens to me at airports.,
- If Pollock doesn’t sign with a team that wears red uniforms I’m going to be really disappointed. Working theory: Se… https://t.co/zHn9DqzEiD,
- The work here by @Britt_Ghiroli is splendid https://t.co/c8tSq0vw3T,
RT @TheAthleticAZ: Plenty of #Dbacks fans gave it some time - and they still don't like the idea. The "why" from @ZHBuchanan
https://t.co/9oDlvue3fV, 
RT @CardsNation247: Episode 30 of the Cardinals Nation 24/7 Podcast, Hosts @ToR_Ron75 & @JMRedwine welcome @buffa82 of @KSDKSports &… https://t.co/7dbIEzcahN,
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