D-backs believe future is bright
Arizona looks to build on its surprise turnaround season.
PHOENIX — Archie Bradley walked off the mound after another scoreless relief outing and tried to appreciate the moment.
Arizona’s season ended in a 3-1 loss Monday to the Dodgers in Game 3 of an NL Division Series, and Bradley wanted to soak it in. The bearded hurler has become a local favorite for his hardnosed, emotional style, and with his 2⅔ innings complete, he got a chance to take note of the atmosphere.
“Even though we were losing, I just wanted to look up and enjoy a baseball game. Be a part of something bigger than the regular season and bigger than yourself,” Bradley said. “It was a fun time — I wish we could’ve won.”
The Diamondbacks went from 69-93 a year ago to 93-69, a wild-card game win over Colorado and a place in the NLDS. They did so under new management on the field and in the front office, and became one of the surprises of the MLB season with their unexpected success.
Not long after the final out of Game 3, players embraced and congratulated each other in the Diamondbacks clubhouse. There was the sadness about being swept and the season being over, but plenty of smiles at memories of a successful year few expected.
Manager Torey Lovullo’s family atmosphere clearly made a big difference with a young club. “We have laid a lot of good bricks down on our foundation,” he said. “This organization is in good hands with ownership and the front office, and I think there’s going to be a lot of successful years in the future.”
The D’s have some decisions to make on free agents in the offseason — notably slugging outfielder J.D. Martinez, who arrived via trade with Detroit in July and hit .302 with 29 homers and 65 RBIs over 62 games. Martinez expressed a desire to remain part of a powerhitting lineup that includes MVP candidate Paul Goldschmidt and young slugger Jake Lamb.
“You look at this team from the outside and it’s kind of like, ‘Let’s watch these guys because they’re going to keep growing,’ ” Martinez said. “This is obviously some of the best times I’ve ever had in my life playing professional baseball . ... Obviously I would love to come back, but I don’t know what the future holds or where God wants me to go. But hope it’s here.”
Many more Diamondbacks had successful seasons and figure to be part of the core group going forward. David Peralta hit .293 out of the leadoff spot in 2017. The young starting rotation came of age fast, with All-Star Robbie Ray having a 15-5 campaign and Patrick Corbin and Taijuan Walker combining for 23 wins. Veteran Daniel Descalso, who provided a major boost off the bench and as a part-time starting second baseman this season, said the Diamondbacks can still get better. Elimination came too quickly, but Descalso was proud of the season the Diamondbacks had. “It was a pleasure,” Descalso said. “We battled and we became a family, and we had a lot of fun.”
Around the majors: Miami Marlins CEO Derek Jeter began restructuring his front office by hiring former mentor Gary Denbo as vice president of scouting and player development. Denbo spent the past eight seasons with the Yankees, including the past three as vice president of player development . ... The L.A. Angels acquired right-hander Felix Pena from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for cash or a player to be named later . ... Texas Rangers infielders Phil Gosselin and Will Middlebrooks became free agents after declining outright assignments to Triple-A.