Pitcher Brandon Webb had his option picked up.  As well as it should have been.  Webb has done the most for this franchise since the 2001 World Series.  It’s just a shame it took this long for the Dbacks to say they’ll give him another shot.

Infielder Chad Tracy is no more.  Also no more is pitcher Yusmeiro Petit and Doug Slaten.  None of these three were surprises.  Tracy was more a victim of circumstance and injury.  Petit and Slaten just weren’t that good.  Petit looked good for two or three weeks in August, but other than that they were basically a waste of space on the field.

Catcher Chris Snyder was almost traded to the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday.  The his bad back came to light and the Blue Jays decided against.  We almost had Lyle Overbay back.  Color me the most excited that this trade did not happen.  Snyder will be gone at some point no doubt, but why Overbay? Makes no sense.

Rumor is that the Dbacks are looking to get Livan Hernandez back.  Again, why?  I guess the Dbacks missed diarrhea boy.  Don’t foget, this was the guy a couple of seasons ago said he would play through anything, including a bout of diarrhea.  No, really, he said that.

Oh the fun is just starting….

Scott Allen

Now the work begins to put together a team for 2010.  You will see a lot of familiar faces and a lot of fresh ones as well.  The changes have already started.  The Diamondbacks released first base coach Lorenzo Bundy and third base coach Chip Hale a couple of days ago.  To me, not real surprising given the base running blunders that took place throughout the season.

Here is my prediction of the opening day lineup in 2010:

1st Base – Brandon Allen.  No he’s not a cousin I’m rooting for, however even though general manager Josh Byrnes wouldn’t commit to him the other day, saying that they liked some things he did, however left an impression that they were expecting a lot more out of him at the end of the season.  If Allen can’t get it done in Spring Training, it will be interesting to see if Conor Jackson is put back at first with the logjam in the outfield.

2nd Base – Sounds like it may be a platoon situation with Ryan Roberts, Augie Ojeda and possibly Rusty Ryal.  Manager A.J. Hinch hinted on his weekly show on KTAR yesterday that Ryal could be destined for the bench, at least at first.  That actually might not be a bad idea.  Roberts is a competitor and I like his fire.  I hope he catches some next season.

Shortstop – It’s all Stephen Drew.  I hope he can manage to stay healthy and hit lead-off all season.  That’s where he seemed to be most comfortable.

3rd Base – Mark Reynolds.  He improved his overall defense in 2009, although he still had lapses of “what the heck was he doing there?” moments.  Certainly hitting 44 HR’s and over 100 RBI’s will keep you in the lineup.

Outfield – Justin Upton, Chris Young, Gerardo Parra.  Those will be your starters.  I don’t think the Chris Young experiment is over yet.  He caught some fire at the end of the year and hopefully he can carry that into next season.  I guarantee you the Dbacks won’t wait until August again to see if he gets going before sending him down.  If he isn’t hitting .250 by mid-May, he’s gone – for good.

Catcher – Miguel Montero.  If there was one guy I thought gave the most to the team and did the most for himself in 2009, it was Montero.  Most definitely the most improved player on the team.  Will the Dbacks give up on Chris Snyder?  If Montero keeps hitting the way he does, Snyder will be hard pressed to get into the lineup every 3-4 days.  Sure Montero will need a backup, but will Snyder sit on the bench more often instead of maybe someone like Jon Hester?  I don’t think so.

Pitching rotation – Dan Haren, Brandon Webb, TBA, TBA, TBA.  Maybe the most uncertain area of the team going into next season.  Max Scherzer has left some with doubts he can last more than 5 innings in a game on a consistent basis.  He may be destined for the bullpen.  Doug Davis is all but gone in free agency.  Yusmeiro Petit showed a little promise, but nothing to write home about.  Billy Buckner might compete for a spot, however I guarantee you if there is a better pitcher on the market or available in a trade spot, the Dbacks will most likely go that direction first.

Bullpen – Your guess is as good as mine.  Who knows?  From the sounds of it Chad Qualls and Juan Gutierrez have spots for next season.  Probably Clay Zavada and maybe Daniel Schlereth.

Say goodbye to for sure:  Chad Tracy, Eric Byrnes, Doug Davis, Yusmeiro Petit

May be a mid-season replacement:  Trent Oeltjen, Jerrod Parker

Go Dbacks in 2010!!!

Scott Allen

A look at the current top 7:

Brandon Webb – he is injured, out for 2009.  He lasted only a few innings before injuring his shoulder, arm, chest, whatever it is.  Whatever it is though is going to keep the Dbacks from offering him a contract for 2010 and beyond.  The team holds an option for 2010.  I’m guessing they opt out of paying him $8 million and let him go for nothing.  Damn shame too.  I love Webby and he’s going to get a raw deal.

Dan Haren – outstanding up until July 15th.  After that, not so much.  He has looked very average over the past 6 weeks.  For 2010, I suggest he pitches in the roation until July 15th and after tha, gives way to a guy who has proven he can last the whole season.  I don’t know who that guy is yet though.

Doug Davis – all but gone.  The lefty stayed after almost going to the Milwaukee Brewers, but ended up staying here for the season.  I would expect him in another uniform in 2010.

Jon Garland – all but gone.  In fact, I’m surprised he hasn’t told the team and his teammates where they can stick it.  Comments made throughout the year indicate he is not happy here.  That and he hasn’t pitched well, especially at Chase Field.

Max Scherzer – a pwer pitcher, not made for the starting rotation.  Here is a guy that may still be around in 2010, but he seems more built for relief.  He just doesn’t last long into games.  His pitch counts are ridiculous before he reaches the 4th and 5th innings most of the time.  He’s wild and until he can prove he can control his pitch count and learns, really learns how to be a MLB starter, he just seems to be a better fit for the bullpen.

Yusmeiro Petit – this one is the toughest call I think.  He has had two great starts in his past three efforts.  He’s had flashes of brilliance in others, even in games he’s eventually been blown out of.  Another guy though where endurance is in question.  I’ve got to think if he is starting though in 2010, it won’t be in Arizona.

Billy Buckner – word is this guy is ready to return to the majors to start.  I hope that word passes by Josh Byrnes.  He isn’t very good when pitching to major league hitters.  Listen, he may be able to school minor leaguers, but when he reaches “the show”, he is clearly shown that his stuff just doesn’t measure up on a consistent basis.

Scott Allen