So this part of the forum is way too dead for how fun this team was last year and how much fun its going to be this year, so I thought I'd start a little discussion. This thread is to post either what you THINK the D'backs roster/lineup/roation/etc will be, or what you HOPE, your call, just specify.
I HOPE it will be something like this, and I think it'll be close (though obviously because of youth and Melvins style, the lineup will be fluid).
1. Orlando Hudson-2B-S He's not really a base stealer or burner, but he's fast enough. He's a switch hitter and has a good enough OBP (as far as Diamondbacks offensive numbers are concerned).
2. Chris Young-CF-R He's fast, and hit for a lot of power last year, but that was about it. Hopefully he'll be more patient this year and his average will improve.
3. Eric Byrnes-LF-R Decent power, good average, good speed probably the Snakes best all around offensive player (which admittedly, is kind of sad).
4. Mark Reynolds-3B-R He was very streaky last year, but he's got a ton of power when right. I'm not expecting anything more than a platoon type role from Chad Tracy due to his health, so I think the job is Reynolds'.
5. Conor Jackson-1B-R The organization thinks he'll improve this year w/ out the pressure of Tony Clark breathing down his neck. He'll never be a power guy, but if he can be a guy who hits for a 300 or so average and gets on base a lot, that would be excellent.
6. Stephen "Grizzly Adams" Drew-SS-L Hey look- a lefty! Stephen Drews been pegged as a 'do everything' guy on offense, though as of yet, he's done nothing. Hopefully this year he can increase his numbers across the board and at the very least just be consistent-ish.
7. Chris Snyder-C-R-He's not a great offensive player, though he did show some improvement last year. If he can hit over .260, I'll be thrilled.
8. Justin Upton-RF-R Maybe he's the next Griffey, who knows, but right now he's still super young and I don't expect much from his first full season in the bigs. He'll eventually hit for lots of power and have speed too they seem to think, but for now he's probably best at the bottom of the lineup.
Bench: Chad Tracy- Corner IF- Can platoon at either corner infield spot and has played some OF as well. He'll probably be injured on and off again, but when healthy he's got a pretty good bat.
Bench: Jeff Salazar-OF- He's definitely the 4th outfielder. He's not great in any one area, but he's solid and will probably fill in for Upton if he slumps for too long.
Bench: Robby Hammock-UTL- Miguel Montero is currently injured, so Robby Hammock is probably the best guy to make the roster as he can catch and play infield.
Bench: Chris Burke-Middle IF- Emilio Bonafacio may be the 2nd basemen of the future, but its probably best for him to get every day ABs in AAA.
Bench: Trot Nixon- 'Veteran leadership' I guess. Can play OF and the D'backs have him working at 1B as well.
Rotation:
1.) Brandon Webb-R- best sinker in baseball
2.) Randy Johnson-L- I'll hope for 20 starts and be thrilled with anything more. He's slotted here to break up righties and lefties
3.) Dan Haren-R- Really the #2 guy, I'm super excited to watch him in the NL this year
4.) Doug Davis-L- He's super consistent, a great guy to have as #4
5.) Micah Owings-R- Melvin has said when Owings pitches, he'll probably bat him higher than 9th- awesome.
Bullpen:
Brandon Lyon-R-Closer Melvins already named him the closer, and its probably the right call, even if it drives up his price after the year. He was very solid last year, and selling Valverde while he was at his highest value was a very shrewd move by the organization.
Tony Pena-R-Setup He could move into the closer spot if Lyon struggles.
Chad Qualls-R
Doug Slaten-L-LH specialist
Edgar Gonzalez-R He'll probably be the 6th starter for when RJ goes down with an injury or needs extra rest
Brandon Medders-R
Dustin Nipper-R
I HOPE it will be something like this, and I think it'll be close (though obviously because of youth and Melvins style, the lineup will be fluid).
1. Orlando Hudson-2B-S He's not really a base stealer or burner, but he's fast enough. He's a switch hitter and has a good enough OBP (as far as Diamondbacks offensive numbers are concerned).
2. Chris Young-CF-R He's fast, and hit for a lot of power last year, but that was about it. Hopefully he'll be more patient this year and his average will improve.
3. Eric Byrnes-LF-R Decent power, good average, good speed probably the Snakes best all around offensive player (which admittedly, is kind of sad).
4. Mark Reynolds-3B-R He was very streaky last year, but he's got a ton of power when right. I'm not expecting anything more than a platoon type role from Chad Tracy due to his health, so I think the job is Reynolds'.
5. Conor Jackson-1B-R The organization thinks he'll improve this year w/ out the pressure of Tony Clark breathing down his neck. He'll never be a power guy, but if he can be a guy who hits for a 300 or so average and gets on base a lot, that would be excellent.
6. Stephen "Grizzly Adams" Drew-SS-L Hey look- a lefty! Stephen Drews been pegged as a 'do everything' guy on offense, though as of yet, he's done nothing. Hopefully this year he can increase his numbers across the board and at the very least just be consistent-ish.
7. Chris Snyder-C-R-He's not a great offensive player, though he did show some improvement last year. If he can hit over .260, I'll be thrilled.
8. Justin Upton-RF-R Maybe he's the next Griffey, who knows, but right now he's still super young and I don't expect much from his first full season in the bigs. He'll eventually hit for lots of power and have speed too they seem to think, but for now he's probably best at the bottom of the lineup.
Bench: Chad Tracy- Corner IF- Can platoon at either corner infield spot and has played some OF as well. He'll probably be injured on and off again, but when healthy he's got a pretty good bat.
Bench: Jeff Salazar-OF- He's definitely the 4th outfielder. He's not great in any one area, but he's solid and will probably fill in for Upton if he slumps for too long.
Bench: Robby Hammock-UTL- Miguel Montero is currently injured, so Robby Hammock is probably the best guy to make the roster as he can catch and play infield.
Bench: Chris Burke-Middle IF- Emilio Bonafacio may be the 2nd basemen of the future, but its probably best for him to get every day ABs in AAA.
Bench: Trot Nixon- 'Veteran leadership' I guess. Can play OF and the D'backs have him working at 1B as well.
Rotation:
1.) Brandon Webb-R- best sinker in baseball
2.) Randy Johnson-L- I'll hope for 20 starts and be thrilled with anything more. He's slotted here to break up righties and lefties
3.) Dan Haren-R- Really the #2 guy, I'm super excited to watch him in the NL this year
4.) Doug Davis-L- He's super consistent, a great guy to have as #4
5.) Micah Owings-R- Melvin has said when Owings pitches, he'll probably bat him higher than 9th- awesome.
Bullpen:
Brandon Lyon-R-Closer Melvins already named him the closer, and its probably the right call, even if it drives up his price after the year. He was very solid last year, and selling Valverde while he was at his highest value was a very shrewd move by the organization.
Tony Pena-R-Setup He could move into the closer spot if Lyon struggles.
Chad Qualls-R
Doug Slaten-L-LH specialist
Edgar Gonzalez-R He'll probably be the 6th starter for when RJ goes down with an injury or needs extra rest
Brandon Medders-R
Dustin Nipper-R
