Arizona Diamondbacks 2012 Preview

Kirk Gibson's first full season as the skipper in the desert will definitely be chalked up as a success, making the worst to first jump.  The D-Backs made some aggressive moves this off season to bolster a already strong ball club.  Adding pitching depth will pay big dividends for this team as they try to repeat as NL West Champs.  One of the question marks going into the season will be if the offense will be able to repeat a "surprise" season, with Ryan Roberts having a career year and Justin Upton emerging as an MVP candidate.  Roberts produces when he is in the lineup and he showed that last year, expect another solid season from him.  Will Paul Goldschmidt continue to wow us with his monster homers after a late season call up?  Goldschmidt got to taste a lot of the nice parts to being in the big leagues, and with a full season in 2012 this kid could emerge as one of the top power hitters in baseball.  The pitching looks to be even better than it was last year with addition Trevor Cahill to the rotation, who they acquired at somewhat of a bargain.  The bullpen which was the Achilles heal for this team for so many years, looks to be in for another great year.  Let's take a look at what the Diamondbacks will look like come Opening Day.
Starting Rotation-  Ian Kennedy emerged as the staff ace last year and coming off 21 wins proved a lot, look for another big year from him.  Daniel Hudson was great as the #2 and could have approached 20 wins as well if it weren't for some tough luck.  New addition Trevor Cahill will go from being the ace in Oakland to the #3 guy in Arizona, and coming off a tough year the sinker baller will look to show us the stuff he did in 2010.  Veteran Joe Saunders will bring his crafty stuff to the mound every fourth day, and he was a "bulldog" for the team last year.  The fifth rotation spot should go to second year tomahawker Josh Collmenter, who came out of nowhere to help this team win the division.  Look for youngsters Trevor Bauer, Wade Miley and Barry Enright also to make a push for a rotation spot in Spring Training, but all three will likely be headed to AAA.
Bullpen- J.J Putz will be the closer for them and after notching 45 saves last year will do a great job with ending ball games.  Fire baller David Hernandez will again be the 8th inning man, another guy who came out of nowhere to wow us last year, could also see time as the closer on days Putz is unavailable.  Brad Ziegler and his funky delivery will also see some bullpen time along with lefty's Craig Breslow and Joe Paterson.   Bryan Shaw and newly acquired Takashi Saito will compete for the other 'pen spot, and Saito's experience could land him the job.
Catcher- Coming off another great year Miguel Montero will look to continue his success and his improving defensive skills.  Veteran Henry Blanco will get some looks on Montero's off days, even though Montero hates taking them.
Infield- Ryan Roberts looks to add another solid season after his breakout 2011 and will get the third base job.  Last year's key second half addition Aaron Hill stayed in the desert and gives the D-Backs an excellent second baseman.  First base goes to Paul Goldschmidt and the rookie has earned the job as he has climbed through the organization.  Who will be the Opening Day starter is a question this team will have to face at the end of Spring Training, Stephen Drew should be fully recovered from his leg injury but you can't sleep on spark plug Willie Bloomquist, who filled in nicely in Drew's absence last year.  Our money is on Drew to take his job back and have a breakout season.  Geoff Blum, John McDonald and Lyle Overbay will provide plenty of veteran experience off the bench.
Outfield-  Perennial MVP Justin Upton continues to improve his defense in right field and will again lead the team.  Gold Glove winner Gerardo Parra looks to continue to impress everyone in left, but newly acquired Jason Kubel will be breathing down his neck for the job.  Chris Young will be the starter in CF to start the season, but if he struggles look for Parra to slide over to CF and Young will be used off the bench more.  Kubel adds outfield depth for a team that had both Young and Upton play in over 150 games, and Kirk Gibson would like to avoid fatigue caused slumps.
Lineup-
1. Ryan Roberts- TatMan will spark this team!
2. Aaron Hill- Will hit .300+.
3. Justin Upton- 30+ HR and 100+ RBI.
4. Paul Goldschmidt- Let's see how he does in a full season.
5. Miguel Montero- Great hitting catcher.
6. Chris Young- Needs a rebound year at the plate.
7. Stephen Drew- Coming off injury, could slide up a few spots.
8. Gerardo Parra- Great hitter to pencil in here, could be a lead off man.
9. Pitcher's Spot- Just Bunt!

Coming off their surprise 94 win season the Diamondbacks look to be heading back to the top of the NL West.  With an already solid lineup in place, any mid season moves seem out of the question.  Look for another 90+ win season and another NL West crown.   This team is still young and after their playoff loss may want to get that taste out their mouth and make a deep run into the playoffs.  You can call it a bold prediction but this team will take the World Series crown back to the desert.  Should be a very exciting season for Diamondbacks fans!

-Buddy