DBacks in Trouble

[az jam]

Well it looks like the DBacks are starting to have some serious problems.
JJ Putz is now on the disabled list. Starters Collmenter and Z. Duke are getting hit very hard and losing games regularly. I don't know why Heilman is still on the team as he can't get anyone out when he comes in.

The hitting hasn't been special either. We are weak at 3B & 1B.

I like Gibby and do think that the DBacks are going in the right direction and I really, really hope that they are not on the verge of collapsing.

I don't want them to trade any of their minor league talent to fix these problems this year.

Some of their vets need to step up.

 

[Catfish]

Well it looks like the DBacks are starting to have some serious problems.
JJ Putz is now on the disabled list. Starters Collmenter and Z. Duke are getting hit very hard and losing games regularly. I don't know why Heilman is still on the team as he can't get anyone out when he comes in.

The hitting hasn't been special either. We are weak at 3B & 1B.

I like Gibby and do think that the DBacks are going in the right direction and I really, really hope that they are not on the verge of collapsing.

I don't want them to trade any of their minor league talent to fix these problems this year.

Some of their vets need to step up.

Putz has a back that causes him problems from time to time. He was favoring it and ended up not finishing off his throws, resulting in not only a poor performance over the past 6 or so appearances, but tendonitis in his elbow. He will benefit much from a 15 day rest.

The new seems to be wearing off for Collmentor and Duke, and they are starting to get hammered pretty hard. The scouting reports must be getting around on them. I also think the heavy work and the heavy pressure is starting to work on them. Only time will tell with them. They may have to up their workout regimin so as to get stronger than they did when they were playing with boys instead of men. Heilman is another story though, and he seems fine for the first couple of batters in any inning, then inexplicably can't put the third one away for some reason. That appears to be a head-problem in my opinion, and I'm not sure he has an answer for that.

I look to see Putz coming back strong again after the All Star break. Maybe that will help with the rest of the staff, if he can again be THAT guy. His example may carry over to the others.

We do need a first baseman though. Miranda is not going to be the guy for us. Nady is a decent backup, but not starter material. Kelly is coming around slowly at the plate, and may be the man we wanted at second. It will be interesting to see what the guy we just brought back up from the minors can do at third. He seems to field okay, but we need him to hit too. Drew is very solid at short. Roberts is a strong utility infielder.

Para has really stepped up in LF. His arm is like a rifle, long and accurate. He is also hitting a ton right now. Upton seems to have taken a definite turn for the better and is practicing what Gibby and Baylor have been
preaching. Young is a solid CF, and has been upping his hitting. I wish he could keep from dropping that back shoulder and uppercutting half his swings.

I believe that Willy Mo has shown that he should be kept on the roster. He will make a great pinch hitting threat off the bench. It would be great if he could play first base, but that remains to be seen. His personality seems to be a good fit for this team.

I can't help but feel that a good rest and some home cooking will work wonders for those who are beginning to feel the drag of summer and the schedule. The All Star break is coming at just the right time.

 

[az jam]

Damn, Catfish, that was an excellent analysis on the state of the DBacks. No reason for me to read the morning paper just ask you for an in-depth status of the DBacks.


Additionally, you made me feel better about them. Also, I to do like Para that is why I didn't mention the LF. Just keep playing him.

Many thanks

 

[Gaddabout]

Collmenter is showing his colors as a starter. He's 4 or 5 starter. He doesn't throw hard enough or have enough craftiness to make it through the lineup one time before everyone gets the timing down. After that he's throwing not-so-spicy meatballs. His windup and delivery are just enough to hide his pitches, but unless he suddenly develops Greg Maddux like location, he's just not going to make it I'm afraid. I do like that he's not afraid to come inside with his fastball. The get has the guts to be a starter. I'll give him that. He just can't break glass.

 

[BC867]

Roberts is a strong utility infielder.

They said the same thing about Craig Counsell. Then when he became a regular and eventually took over the leadoff spot, he played one for the most important rolls in baseball. His presence made everyone in the lineup better.

I see Roberts having the same value. But, just as with Counsell, at 2B or SS, not at a corner power position.

With Johnson's erratic performance -- a .214 batting average, with a team-high 95 strikeouts (29 more than his closest competitor Young) -- I believe Roberts would be an improvement as our everyday 2B, with a more traditional 3B added to the lineup. No, that does not mean Burroughs.

 

[Catfish]

They said the same thing about Craig Counsell. Then when he became a regular and eventually took over the leadoff spot, he played one for the most important rolls in baseball. His presence made everyone in the lineup better.

I see Roberts having the same value. But, just as with Counsell, at 2B or SS, not at a corner power position.

With Johnson's erratic performance -- a .214 batting average, with a team-high 95 strikeouts (29 more than his closest competitor Young) -- I believe Roberts would be an improvement as our everyday 2B, with a more traditional 3B added to the lineup. No, that does not mean Burroughs.

I agree with much of what you say, but right now Roberts is the batting liability, not Kelley Johnson. Johnson has started to come on with the bat, and has been one of the best DP combinations in baseball when paired with Drew. Both Roberts and Miranda have almost completely stopped hitting.

By the way, thanks for including Burroughs' name. I couldn't remember it.

 

[Nasser22]

I'm not really too concerned at this point. I think we have a good squad here and can still make the playoffs. Before this trade deadline, I believe we need to trade Wily Mo and prospects to bring in a couple of strong relievers. Putz and Hernandez can't do it alone as we've seen. Collmenter could also be a good option there at some point. He's shown to only be effective through 3 inning. I think that solidifying our bullpen alone will make us a playoff team. That is, if the Giants can't pick up a strong bat, because despite their great game today, they're still one of the worst offenses in the league. We've kept every game close and the bullpen is what has won or lost us games all year.

My reason for being optimistic is also that we have a farm system that should fill in our weaknesses pretty well even by next year. We need two more starters and have Skaggs(right?), Parker, Bauer, and Bradley(i know it'll be a little while for him) among others I'm sure I've forgotten. Someone has to have major league talent out of all of them... Goldshmidt can come in at 1B and possibly give us a boost even this season.

3rd base will be tough for us to fill, but with how frugal the FO has been in putting this team together, you would think they could spend for one position?

In short, not worried at all. And when this team does tick me off, I remember us thinking it would be a huge accomplishment to finish at .500 this season. I'm very proud of what these guys have done.

 

[Evil Ash]

Collmenter is showing his colors as a starter. He's 4 or 5 starter. He doesn't throw hard enough or have enough craftiness to make it through the lineup one time before everyone gets the timing down. After that he's throwing not-so-spicy meatballs. His windup and delivery are just enough to hide his pitches, but unless he suddenly develops Greg Maddux like location, he's just not going to make it I'm afraid. I do like that he's not afraid to come inside with his fastball. The get has the guts to be a starter. I'll give him that. He just can't break glass.

Deception is good for him through the first time through the batting order but his problem now is teams have adjusted to his changeup (which is very good BTW) and like you said his fastball couldn't break glass. He needs to add more pitches to have in his repertoire.

There haven't been many 2 pitch starting pitchers in this league and those that have, had to be absolutley DOMINATING (ie Randy Johnson).

He has a fairly decent curve but for whatever reason, he's afraid to use it and that may be his downfall