Retooled club exudes air of optimism
The notion was probably far-fetched, but it felt vaguely possible, perhaps just a few strokes of luck within reach. After the Diamondbacks acquired center fielder Starling Marte late last month, many wondered if the club might be a threat to finally bring an end to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ seven-year run of division titles.
That dream lasted about a week, up until word of the Dodgers’ reported acquisition of superstar outfielder Mookie Betts and lefty David Price. That trade, assuming it is finalized, serves as a reminder of the balance of power in the National League West – and that the structure of it isn’t likely to shift on the basis of a move or two during the winter.
None of that is to say the Diamondbacks cannot or will not compete. Based on their winter, perhaps they will. They’ll begin taking their first steps toward that when camp opens on Wednesday, the day pitchers and catchers will hold their fist workout of the spring at Salt River Fields.
The Diamondbacks enjoyed an active offseason. They acquired accomplished players to fill holes on their roster. On paper, they look better than they did this
time a year ago.
They signed postseason hero Madison Bumgarner to essentially replace Zack Greinke atop the rotation. They have Marte taking over in center field, allowing Ketel Marte to shift to second base. Kole Calhoun was brought in to play right field, where he will replace Adam Jones, who replaced the injured Steven Souza Jr.
But perhaps the main reason they look better now than they did last year is because of what happened last year.
Ketel Marte is coming off a breakout year. Third baseman Eduardo Escobar had another strong season. First baseman Christian Walker and catcher Carson Kelly showed they could hold their own at the big league level.
They now have Zac Gallen, who pitched so impressively over 15 starts in the majors last year. And they have enough rotation depth that Merrill Kelly, a capable back-end starter a year ago, appears ticketed for the bullpen.
So much more is known this year about the roster’s potential that it allows for more optimism. Still, as always, there are questions, including those about Bumgarner’s effectiveness, Luke Weaver’s health, Ketel Marte’s legitimacy and more.
The Diamondbacks will need much to go right. If they are to catch the Dodgers, who finished 21 games up on them last year, they will need just as much to go wrong in Los Angeles.
But they look like they reasonably can be expected to compete for a wild card, something they have done each of the past three seasons, winning it in 2017 before falling apart in September the previous two years.
After a year of diminished expectations, hopes are high again. The Diamondbacks will have to show they can perform when everyone expects them to, something that has proven difficult for the organization for more than a decade.
Then again, not everyone is sold. FanGraphs projections place the Diamondbacks 19th in the majors with 34.8 total WAR (wins above replacement), sandwiched between the St. Louis Cardinals (35.4) and Cincinnati Reds (32.8).
Nine NL teams are ahead of them. One sportsbook, BetOnline, put the Diamondbacks’ World Series chances at 40/1; 19 teams have better odds.
But baseball isn’t known for its predictability. And the spring is no time for harsh realities. It is a time to believe Ketel Marte is poised to repeat his MVP-caliber season. And to hope Bumgarner can return to his form of a few years ago. And to knock on wood for healthy seasons.
The Diamondbacks have been mentioned as one of the teams that perhaps won the offseason. They hope the winning continues when it counts.