azdad1978
Championship!!!!
Tribune
1 Will Luis Gonzalez be ready for the start of the regular season?
Gonzalez timed his 2004 season-ending right elbow surgery for early August to allow for ample rehabilitation time before the April 3 regular season opener against the Cubs, and he appears to be right on schedule.
Gonzalez has been hitting for about a month and began a throwing program recently. He will be given plenty of latitude but at worst should be able to serve as a DH in mid-spring training games against AL clubs.
2 How will the catching position shake out?
In Koyie Hill and Chris Snyder, the D-Backs believe they have two catchers who can have long, productive major league careers. The question is how to best facilitate their development. It is likely one will win the starting job this spring and the other will play regularly at Class AAA Tucson, with veteran Kelly Stinnett a likely major league reserve.
3 How is Troy Glaus’ surgically repaired right shoulder?
Glaus underwent arthroscopic surgery to clean up his right shoulder 29 games into last season with Anaheim, and he returned to hit seven of his 18 home runs in September, helping the Angels to the AL West title. He is already throwing at 130 feet, and while he will not be rushed, he may be ready when spring training opens.
4 Who will hit leadoff?
Craig Counsell is the early choice, and he has the game and the aptitude for it. Counsell has several traits ideally suited to a leadoff man — he is not afraid to work counts, which not only gives his teammates a chance to see the opposing pitchers’ stuff but also gives base runners a chance to steal, and he has a good eye. Jose Cruz Jr. has the speed to lead off but may be better suited on this team as protection for the G-Force at 3-4-5 — Gonzalez, Glaus and Shawn Green.
5 How does the bullpen line up?
Greg Aquino claimed the closer’s role late last summer after injuries thinned the ranks and he impressed all, including Randy Johnson, who made it a point to mention Aquino when talking about the quality of the D-Backs’ young pitching corps. Mike Koplove, Jose Valverde and Randy Choate appear set, leaving two positions available if Oscar Villarreal makes the rotation.
6 Who will be the fifth starter in the rotation?
This is the most undecided spot in camp. Villarreal, Michael Gosling and Brad Halsey appear to be the top candidates, with Villarreal (after 2004 elbow surgery) poised to return to his more natural role as a starter after spending his first two major league seasons at a setup man. Casey Daigle was the surprise of camp when he pitched his way into the rotation last spring. Could Ramon Antonio Pena do that this season?
7 What roles will Alex Cintron and Matt Kata play?
Former starters Cintron and Kata will be asked to sublimate themselves as less visible reserves this season, backing up three infield positions behind newcomers Counsell, Royce Clayton and Glaus. Switch-hitters, Cintron and Kata bring some good things to the table and will provide deep depth if willing.
8 How much adjustment time will the new staff need?
None. Manager Bob Melvin was the D-Backs’ bench coach in 2001-02, and former manager Bob Brenly credited Melvin with developing a spring training program that kept players and coaches working and teaching at a brisk pace.
9 Can Chad Tracy handle the shift to first base?
The opposite corner is hardly new to Tracy, primarily a first baseman in college at East Carolina before moving to third base in his senior year. Shea Hillenbrand made the transition last season, and there is no reason to believe Tracy cannot be just as effective.
10 Who is the 14th man?
The D-Backs seem set at 13 of the 14 position spots — to the eight regulars add a backup catcher, infield reserves Tony Clark, Cintron and Kata, and outfielder Luis Terrero, the nominal starter before Cruz was acquired. Veteran outfielder Quinton McCracken is in camp on a minor league contract and appears the most likely contender, a move that also would balance the roster. Scott Hairston, being asked to play outfield this spring, could be in the mix after proving he could hit at the major league level last summer.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=36337
1 Will Luis Gonzalez be ready for the start of the regular season?
Gonzalez timed his 2004 season-ending right elbow surgery for early August to allow for ample rehabilitation time before the April 3 regular season opener against the Cubs, and he appears to be right on schedule.
Gonzalez has been hitting for about a month and began a throwing program recently. He will be given plenty of latitude but at worst should be able to serve as a DH in mid-spring training games against AL clubs.
2 How will the catching position shake out?
In Koyie Hill and Chris Snyder, the D-Backs believe they have two catchers who can have long, productive major league careers. The question is how to best facilitate their development. It is likely one will win the starting job this spring and the other will play regularly at Class AAA Tucson, with veteran Kelly Stinnett a likely major league reserve.
3 How is Troy Glaus’ surgically repaired right shoulder?
Glaus underwent arthroscopic surgery to clean up his right shoulder 29 games into last season with Anaheim, and he returned to hit seven of his 18 home runs in September, helping the Angels to the AL West title. He is already throwing at 130 feet, and while he will not be rushed, he may be ready when spring training opens.
4 Who will hit leadoff?
Craig Counsell is the early choice, and he has the game and the aptitude for it. Counsell has several traits ideally suited to a leadoff man — he is not afraid to work counts, which not only gives his teammates a chance to see the opposing pitchers’ stuff but also gives base runners a chance to steal, and he has a good eye. Jose Cruz Jr. has the speed to lead off but may be better suited on this team as protection for the G-Force at 3-4-5 — Gonzalez, Glaus and Shawn Green.
5 How does the bullpen line up?
Greg Aquino claimed the closer’s role late last summer after injuries thinned the ranks and he impressed all, including Randy Johnson, who made it a point to mention Aquino when talking about the quality of the D-Backs’ young pitching corps. Mike Koplove, Jose Valverde and Randy Choate appear set, leaving two positions available if Oscar Villarreal makes the rotation.
6 Who will be the fifth starter in the rotation?
This is the most undecided spot in camp. Villarreal, Michael Gosling and Brad Halsey appear to be the top candidates, with Villarreal (after 2004 elbow surgery) poised to return to his more natural role as a starter after spending his first two major league seasons at a setup man. Casey Daigle was the surprise of camp when he pitched his way into the rotation last spring. Could Ramon Antonio Pena do that this season?
7 What roles will Alex Cintron and Matt Kata play?
Former starters Cintron and Kata will be asked to sublimate themselves as less visible reserves this season, backing up three infield positions behind newcomers Counsell, Royce Clayton and Glaus. Switch-hitters, Cintron and Kata bring some good things to the table and will provide deep depth if willing.
8 How much adjustment time will the new staff need?
None. Manager Bob Melvin was the D-Backs’ bench coach in 2001-02, and former manager Bob Brenly credited Melvin with developing a spring training program that kept players and coaches working and teaching at a brisk pace.
9 Can Chad Tracy handle the shift to first base?
The opposite corner is hardly new to Tracy, primarily a first baseman in college at East Carolina before moving to third base in his senior year. Shea Hillenbrand made the transition last season, and there is no reason to believe Tracy cannot be just as effective.
10 Who is the 14th man?
The D-Backs seem set at 13 of the 14 position spots — to the eight regulars add a backup catcher, infield reserves Tony Clark, Cintron and Kata, and outfielder Luis Terrero, the nominal starter before Cruz was acquired. Veteran outfielder Quinton McCracken is in camp on a minor league contract and appears the most likely contender, a move that also would balance the roster. Scott Hairston, being asked to play outfield this spring, could be in the mix after proving he could hit at the major league level last summer.
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=36337
