Diamondbacks Will Be Rewarded For Their Patience

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It was a subject that had fans on both sides of the fence. It was the MLB Trade Deadline and the Diamondbacks were strongly linked with Cincinnati closer Aroldis Chapman. So much so, that the Dbacks had put an official offer for Chapman’s services early on Friday. The deadline passed and Arizona didn’t acquire the Cuban lefty, citing too high an asking price. It was the right move, if you ask me.

The Reds reportedly wanted a Top-3 pitching prospect, Braden Shipley, along with two more Top 10 prospects in the Arizona organization. Most will agree that’s too steep, even for an elite player at his position. Never mind the fact that Chapman is controllable for next year and the front office had plans to re-sign him with the money coming their way. It was an unnecessary risk for a team on the fringe.

Mar 3, 2015; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Braden Shipley against the Arizona State Sun Devils during a spring training baseball game at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Patience will be rewarded. They only need walk across the diamond and ask the Houston Astros, their weekend counterpart, on if it’s worth it to keep waiting. The Astros were deemed by many as stock piled with talent, but lacking the maturation to contend this season. Not unlike the Dbacks, the Astros have exceeded expectations and are now a everyone’s darling. They were supposed to be having the type of season that Arizona is having.

Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve, Preston Tucker, Jason Castro, Dallas Keuchel and Lance McCullers are all key members of the club and are also players that Houston has homegrown. Once those players were able to mature at around the same time, Houston had the means in terms of organization strength to give them support. In comes Scott Kazmir and Carlos Gomez. Houston is now a favorite without having to mortgage their future.

Their AL West counterpart, the Los Angeles Angels, haven’t been as considerate with their farm system, and it showed on Friday. In past years, the Angels were known to be exorbitant spenders. Names like Zack Greinke and Mark Teixeira were acquired and spent a measly few months on the club. The Dbacks acquired Patrick Corbin from the Angels in the Dan Haren trade.

Friday came and the Angels had a pressing need to acquire a left fielder. They have had the worst production out of any in that position. With a depleted farm system, the Angels couldn’t be taken serious for Carlos Gomez, Carlos Gonzalez, Yoenis Cespedes or Justin Upton. They had to settle for an ensemble of platoon players. It’s a situation I hope the Dbacks will never find themselves in.

Mar 3, 2015; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Archie Bradley against the Arizona State Sun Devils during a spring training baseball game at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

It’s just a tad too early to buy. The homegrown quality for the Dbacks is there. Paul Goldschmidt, A.J. Pollock, Ender Inciarte, Jake Lamb and Yasmany Tomas were all drafted or signed by the Dbacks. David Peralta and Nick Ahmed were drafted elsewhere but have spent a majority of their professional careers in Arizona. The hitting is here. We’re just for the pitching to arrive. And arrive they will.

You’ll be hard pressed to see a gloomy future with Aaron Blair, Archie Bradley, Braden Shipley and Yoan Lopez. Bradley (46), Blair (72), and Shipley (92) all rank in MLB.com’s Top 100 prospects. They are all set to arrive in Arizona by next season. With these young guns in the fold, the Dbacks should be on the fast track to contention. That’s when they can pounce for the MLB Trade Deadline’s belle of the ball.

If the Dbacks season becomes too frustrating to watch, you can find enjoyment in type of season that the Astros are having. Looking at them is like looking into a crystal ball. Soon enough, Arizona will have all the chips to dominate the game. We’ve just got to remain patient.

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