I hope Carlos Quentin makes the team out of spring training

[Lefty]

Carlos hit his second homer this spring and he made it look so easy. The guy can play the outfield very well. Saw him make a Willie Mays catch last week. If Byrnes does not get off to a good start I would hope Melvin gives Carlos a shot.

By the way, watched Justin Upton for the first time and he has some wheels. He is now 7-11 in his first spring with the Diamondbacks. I bet we could see him in the majors in two years.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I'd agree, but where do you suggest he plays? Does he have the range to play CF at Chase?

 

[Ryanwb]

I'd agree, but where do you suggest he plays? Does he have the range to play CF at Chase?

Get rid of Luis Gonzalez and let him patrol left field

 

[AZZenny]

Upton? LOL -- he's considered a natural CF with his speed and size, just as CQ is a natural right-fielder. Drew, some consider a natural SS.

Carlos should play where he's at his best.
The problem isn't Byrnes -- the problem is the dinosaurs at the corners.

 

[Diamondback Jay]

The problem is you can't just get rid of the face of the franchise without some kind of fond farewell.

I know a lot seem to want to dump Luis Gonzalez at first opportunity, but with what he's meant to this franchise both on and off the field over the years, the Diamondbacks owe him at least that much. Talk him in to retirement with a lifetime job in the organization like Williams. Give him the full season farewell tour, all in the meanwhile working Quentin in a platoon role. Then when Gonzo retires next year, the job will be Q's to lose.

By the way, watched Justin Upton for the first time and he has some wheels. He is now 7-11 in his first spring with the Diamondbacks. I bet we could see him in the majors in two years.

They say he's better than his brother, and we all saw how BJ tore up the Minors. I could logically see him somewhere on the Diamondback roster in 2 years, just drawing blanks as to where. Although, as Zenny said, his best long term value might be at CF, the Diamondbacks have a pretty good young (no pun intended) CF already who should man the position for quite a few years. Right is also an option, however they also have Carlos Gonzalez on the farm, who reminds me so much of Miguel Cabrera, I'd swear they're one in the same. SS seems to be Stephen Drew's to lose, however I could logically see Upton getting the gig at SS and Drew moved to second, or vice versa.

Either way, the depth Arizona has is frightening, and not in a bad way.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Get rid of Luis Gonzalez and let him patrol left field

I agree, but who wants him or Shawn Green for that matter? The best thing for this franchise would be Green and Gonzo to start tearing the cover off the ball the first half of the season so we can get something for them. The problem is that without the 'roids I don't see that happening for Luis.

 

[BC867]

Am I the only one who thinks that, now that Gonzo has had the buffer time since his surgery, he will be an asset to the team this season? And an effective cleanup hitter.

My wife and I were at the D'backs game in Surprise this past Sunday (easier than our annual trek to Tucson each Spring Training) and enjoyed seeing the old man performing like a kid on the field . . . and representing the team well as its reigning superstar.

I'm eager to see the kids take over when they are ready, but I'd like to see Luis help the D'backs this season.

What I'm concerned about is the starting pitching behind Brandon Webb.

We'll be lucky to get more than 5 innings out of the other starters, and our bullpen will be a bunch of old men before long.

Plus El Duque is now down with one of his sore backs.

 

[green machine]

As long as Gonzo is here let's hope for him to produce. In fairness, he wasn't awful last year, just not great either.

Quentin will get here, give him a bit more time to just tear up AAA like Conor did on a consistent basis and then he'll be ready.

 

[CronosCard]

"..And in this corner.."

Oh, but what nice problems to have finally!!!!

 

[FinleyLover]

Before we all kick Gonzo out the door, remember he was injured last year. While I am thrilled by our new "NeoNatal" Backs (can't call them BabyBacks yet), there still should be some veteran presence in the club. All rookies need and benefit from that. IF Gonzo stays healthy and puts up his average season numbers, then we're in really good shape.
Even with all the new young talent coming up, he STILL is the face of the Dbacks.
I'm also very concerned about BoMels ability to handle/play the kids the right way.

 

[WildBB]

Am I the only one who thinks that, now that Gonzo has had the buffer time since his surgery, he will be an asset to the team this season? And an effective cleanup hitter.

My wife and I were at the D'backs game in Surprise this past Sunday (easier than our annual trek to Tucson each Spring Training) and enjoyed seeing the old man performing like a kid on the field . . . and representing the team well as its reigning superstar.

I'm eager to see the kids take over when they are ready, but I'd like to see Luis help the D'backs this season.

What I'm concerned about is the starting pitching behind Brandon Webb.

We'll be lucky to get more than 5 innings out of the other starters, and our bullpen will be a bunch of old men before long.

Plus El Duque is now down with one of his sore backs.

I still want to see Gonzo - at least for this yr. Quinton will spend 2 months in the minors playing every day and then he'll be up here for good.

 

[HooverDam]

I agree its good to have Gonzo on the team. All these young guys surely know him from his World Series winning hit and probably respect him.

I'd hope Quentin goes into AAA at the start of the year and then maybe the second half of the year or last fourth (when we are out of the race- and we will be) have Quentin and Gonzo platoon.

 

[devilalum]

I agree its good to have Gonzo on the team. All these young guys surely know him from his World Series winning hit and probably respect him.

I'd hope Quentin goes into AAA at the start of the year and then maybe the second half of the year or last fourth (when we are out of the race- and we will be) have Quentin and Gonzo platoon.

If Gonzo is having a decent year they might be able to move him at the trade deadline. They won't get anything back but it would make room for one of the kids and give Gonzo a chance to help a winning team.

Oh well, a lot has to happen before we get to that point. If Gonzo has a bad year I don't think they'll hesitate to give some of his starts to one of the kids.

 

[HooverDam]

If Gonzo is having a decent year they might be able to move him at the trade deadline.

The sentimental side of me kind of wants to see Gonzo retire a D'Back and be rewarded w/ a position in the franchise. I think his number should be retired soon after he hangs them up as well (as well as Randy Johnsons, even though he flew the coop).