2010 Record: 65-97
Pitching:
It was just a couple years ago that this team had one of the best starting rotations in baseball with guys like Edwin Jackson, Haren, Webb and so on. Now it is a much different rotation, but there is some reason for hope. Ian Kennedy has turned out to be much better then I thought he would be limiting opponents to a .228 batting average. Behind him they have Joe Saunders who is a solid eating eater (set career highs in innings and strikeouts last season), and then Daniel Hudson, who was unbelievable last season (7–1 with a 1.69 ERA). There will be a competion for the last two spots between Zach Duke, Barry Enright, Armando Galarraga, and Jarrod Parker. For a team that 30 game sunder .500 that's a pretty good rotation. Their bullpen was terrible last season (5.74 ERA 3rd worst in major league history), so they went out and signed J.J. Putz, David Hernandez, and Kam Mickolio. By no means will they have a good bullpen, but it should be improved.
Hitting:
The Diamondbacks lost a lot of power when Mark Reynolds was traded to Baltimore, but they also lost a lot of strikeouts. Right after Reynolds left Arizona went out and signed Melvin Mora, who had a solid season after the All-Star break hitting .307 with 31 RBIs. The Diamondbacks also lost Adam LaRoche, so Juan Miranda will be given a strong shot to become the starter after his offseason acquisition from the Yankees, but holdover Brandon Allen and even free agent signee Xavier Nady could figure in the mix. Stephen Drew and Kelly Johnson give the Diamondbacks a very strong combo at 2nd and SS, and they have a good young outfield with Chris Young and Justin Upton. They have a lot of guys who can run, but I question if they are going to be able to knock anyone home.
Overall:
The Diamondbacks are improved from last season even with the losses they had in the offseason. What will really help them is their division is weaker then last year. The Padres will take a step back after losing Gonzalez, and the Dodgers suck. They won't be a playoff team, but they won't be in last in this division either.
2011 Record: 79-83
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