The Arizona Diamondbacks, coming off a disappointing 2009 season, to say the least, is about to embark on a new season.  Pitchers and catchers report in less than three weeks, for their last spring training in Tucson.

The Dbacks have their roster set for the month-long event.

Some exciting things to be on the lookout for:

• The return of OF Conor Jackson
• 1B Adam LaRoche will make his Dbacks debut
• The return of Brandon Webb, in what may be his last season in Arizona
• Eric Byrnes is gone
• So is Doug Slaten!!

Stay tuned, a lot more to come soon with the start of a new season.  Can’t wait!

Scott Allen

This week the Arizona Diamondbacks continued to make headlines, by giving Stephen Drew a contract extension and singing relievers  Chad Qualls and Aaron Heilman.

Meanwhile, former Dbacks pitcher Doug Davis signed with the Milwaukee Brewers, his team prior to coming to Arizona in 2007.  I like what Davis did for the Dbacks.  I know he wasn’t popular all the time and had some rough stretches, however for the most part he was very serviceable, even coming close to a couple of no-hitters in his time here.  Good luck to him with the Brew Crew.

Spring training is just around the corner…

Scott Allen

Free agent first baseman Adam LaRoche was signed today by the Arizona Diamondbacks to a one year contract with an option for 2011.

Interesting signing.  In an off-season that has almost screamed “if you are breathing, come sign with us, ” the Diamondbacks could have done worse.  Not sure they could have done much better either.  The pickings are slim right now.  for a career .275 hitter who averages 25 home runs a game, I suppose it couldn’t hurt.  The idea in this signing was to allow Conor Jackson the freedom to move to left field and provide another strong bat in the middle of the lineup.  I know not everyone is excited about this move, but right now I will reserve judgment until the season gets started.  However, I will also reserve my excitement until I can see this guy consistently produce in a Diamondbacks uniform.

Scott Allen

You’ve undoubtedly heard about the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts and their march towards “imperfection” this past Sunday when they pulled all their starters in favor of resting for the playoffs and how an Indianapolis City Councilman has called for fan refunds.  I love it.  It’s a great idea.  As I sat here, I thought about all the reasons the Dbacks fans could do the same.

• The roof.  Why in God’s name do we want the roof open, even at night, in June when the temperature hit 107 outside?  103 in the shade at night still sucks!  The sun might not be on us, but the heat is still there.  I am all for the roof being open on cooler days, which they don’t even do very often in day games, but how many times did they end up opening the roof for night games in the summer last season?
• Keeping Eric Byrnes.  This made as about as much sense as someone showing The Family Guy in a second grade classroom.
• The post game concert and fireworks seating.  I realize this is a baseball stadium and there is only so much you can do, but telling people you can sit where ever you want but telling them where the best seats are and then having the Seat Nazi’s, or as you might call them, ushers, tell you that you need to move.
• Josh Byrnes
• A.J. Hinch…although I think Hinch is a nice guy and has somewhat a good head for baseball, he’s not the right guy I don’t think for this team
• Taco Bell promotion.  Score 8 runs and get 3 free tacos with soda purchase?  We have to pay to get something for free?  What happened to the days of free fries from McDonalds or Thirstbusters from Circle K?
• Ken Kendrick
• The Home Run Porch.  Let me tell you, great seats, great view.  My family and I sat there for an Astros-Dbacks game in May and they weren’t cheap even on the discount I got them on.  However, if you are going to tout unlimited food service, how about providing service?  Servers came to us about as often as 10 game win seasons for the Arizona Cardinals.
• The Gila River Home Run promotion.  Are you getting the sense of a theme here?  So, the Dbacks had a promotion if a Dbacks player hit a HR during the home run inning and hit the small target in left or right field during that inning, a huge jackpot would be won by a lucky fan.  There was about as much chance of this happening as Charlie Sheen staying out of trouble more than 15 seconds.  I mean, how about a dollar off our next Dbacks ticket for every home run NOT hit during the inning?  Not only did the Dbacks fail to hit the targets, rarely did they even hit a home run during those innings.
• The fashion show.  If ushers really want to do their job right, keep the ladies with the high heels and dresses out of the park.  This isn’t a fashion show ladies.  This is family fun baseball….well for someone I guess.  The way the Dbacks played at times this season, I wouldn’t subject my family to on a consistent basis.
• The upper deck.  It’s just cruel to make someone pay for seats up there.  Not only do you feel a million miles from the field, the seats are small and steps long and forever – plus it’s empty 97% of the time!  Block it off except for bigger games and playoffs.  Oh…speaking of bigger games….
• Dodgers games are NOT premium games.  They are divisional foe we play like 219 times in a season.  Stop charging us like we are playing the Yankees every night.
• Finally, for now, Orlando Hudson.  How do you let this quality all-star go because he apparently cost too much, only to see him sign for less with the Dodgers than what was offered to him from the Dbacks in the first place??  Now we get Kelly Johnson?  Geez!

Hopefully I will find just as many reasons to demand people go to games after next season.  I doubt it.  I will probably find a list twice as long as this.

Scott Allen

Depending on who you believe, it appears the Arizona Diamondbacks have signed second baseman Kelly Johnson.

I knew this day was probably coming, but I have to ask why?  I know Johnson has the ability to break out and be a star, maybe, but he was a defensive and offensive liability for the Atlanta Braves last year, hence the reason they chose not to re-sign him.

What this ultimately means is the end of the Augie Ojeda era in Arizona.  Most likely this means his trade is forthcoming.  Too bad.  Ojeda didn’t put up the biggest numbers, however what he did do was put some of the best hustle anyone in this organization has put forth.  You could always count on Augie showing up for work and earning his paycheck.  I’m not saying Johnson won’t, but this isn’t a major upgrade in my opinion. I hope I eat these words come next season, right now, I can only go by what I know now.

So long Augie, it was great having you!

Can I get one more Augie Augie Augie???

Scott Allen