Arizona Diamondbacks 2010 Preview, Predictions & Odds

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Arizona Diamondbacks 2009 MLB Record: 70-92
Arizona Diamondbacks 2009 MLB Home Record: 36-45
Arizona Diamondbacks 2009 MLB Away Record: 34-47

Arizona Diamondbacks 2010 Betting

Arizona Diamondbacks Odds to Win the National League: 35/1
Arizona Diamondbacks Odds to Win the World Series: 75/1

Arizona Diamondbacks 2010 Preview & Prediction

Decorated right hander Brandon Webb is back and presumed healthy after a shoulder cleanup that cost him all but one start in 2009. With him comes a belief that the Diamondbacks again will be a factor in the NL West after winning the division in 2007 and leading for 156 days in 2008. A perennial Cy Young candidate, Webb heads a solid rotation, and No’s. 3-4-5 hitters Justin Upton, Miguel Montero and Mark Reynolds have big pop. With improvement on defense, the team can contend.

The D-backs spend every winter trying to improve their starting pitching behind Webb, and they seem to have succeeded big-time this off season. In 2008 they added Haren. In 2009, it was Jon Garland. Now they have hit a bonanza with Edwin Jackson and Kennedy – and, most important, Webb himself, who is healthy once again. They certainly have the starting pitching to contend for the NL.West title. While the D-backs’ young position players have not moved forward on a linear path as hoped, the kids have made progress, and it is not a stretch to believe the D-backs can continue to advance and contend in the NL West.

Arizona Diamondbacks Manager: A.J. Hinch (1 Season) Record: 58 – 75

Arizona Diamondbacks 2010 Projected Batting Order: SS Stephen Drew (L), 1B Conor Jackson (R), RF Justin Upton (R), C Miguel Montero (L), 3B Mark Reynolds (R), CF Chris Young (H), LF Gerardo Parra (L), 2B Kelly Johnson (L)

Arizona Diamondbacks 2010 Projected Rotation: RH Brandon Webb, RH Dan Haren, RH Edwin Jackson, RH Ian Kennedy, RH Billy Buckner

Arizona Diamondbacks 2010 Projected Closer: RH Chad Qualls

2010 Arizona Diamondbacks Rotation:

Because of contract language, the D-backs were forced to exercise their $8.5 million 2010 option on Webb shortly after the World Series, before they had seen him throw following an early August shoulder surgery. After receiving positive medical reports, however, they considered the move a no-brainer. Webb, still only 30 when the season begins, finished first, second and second in the three NL Cy Young ballots beginning in 2006. He reported no setbacks in a short November throwing program, and he has shown the ability to carry a staff. Dan Haren was the de facto No.1 last season, and he pitched like it during an All-Star season in which he set career highs in strikeouts (223) and innings (229.1) while leading the NL with a 1.003 WHIP. Shoddy defense and bullpen failures limited him to 14 victories. Edwin Jackson was a first-time All Star with the Tigers last season, when he had a career-low 3.62 ERA in 214 innings. Another newcomer, Ian Kennedy, was obtained from the Yankees in the three-team deal that landed Jackson, and the D-backs believe they have added a breakout candidate to the rotation.

Kennedy, a No. 1 pick in 2006, has struggled in very brief trials in the majors with the Yankees and missed most of last season with an aneurysm in his right biceps, but he is firmly entrenched entering spring training. Billy Buckner is not overpowering, but he spotted his pitches so well in September that he created separation from contenders Kevin Mulvey, Bryan Augenstein and Cesar Valdez for the final spot in the rotation.

2009-2010 Arizona Diamondbacks Bullpen:

The D-backs gave Chad Qualls the opportunity to close last season, and it worked out so well he’ll remain the ninth-inning guy. Qualls had 24 saves before missing the final month with a knee injury, but he returns in full health. Juan Gutierrez cemented a setup role by going 9-for-9 in save situations after Qualls was hurt. Newcomers Bob Howry and Aaron Heilman were added when the D-backs targeted proven setup men for a bullpen that lacked experience in 2009, and both have strong track records. Clay Zavada, who quit the game in 2007 to help on the family farm after the death of his father, seems secure because he is the lone left hander returning, although the D-backs also added Rule 5 lefty Zach Kroenke. Blaine Boyer pitched well in middle innings after being acquired from St. Louis last season.

2010 Arizona Diamondbacks Middle Infield:

Kelly Johnson is expected to be the D-backs’ third starting second baseman in three seasons after signing as a free agent in late December. Johnson had a down year in Atlanta last season, perhaps in part because of a forearm injury, but he averaged 14 homers and 69 RBI’s as the Braves’ starter in 2007-08. Shortstop Stephen Drew’s numbers were down from his remarkable 2008, but his 12 triples tied for second in the majors and his 65 RBI’s ranked sixth among NL shortstops despite the fact he missed three weeks with a hamstring injury.

2010 Arizona Diamondbacks Corners:

No one swings a bat like third baseman Mark Reynolds. He was the only player in the major leagues with at least 40 homers, 100 RBI’s and 20 stolen bases last season, but he also broke his own major league record with 223 strikeouts. He ranked second in the NL with 24 errors, 19 at third and five at first. Reynolds will stay at third this year, with Conor Jackson and Brandon Allen jockeying for time at first base. Allen long-balled his way to the majors in late August after being acquired in July, but he scuffled at both the major league level and in the prospect-heavy Arizona Fall League, so Jackson could get the majority of time. Jackson hit a career-best .300 in 2008 but missed the final five months of 2009 with misunderstood valley fever, a lung infection caused by wind-borne spores.

2010 Arizona Diamondbacks Outfield:

Youth reigns supreme here. First-time All-Star Justin Upton continued to blossom offensively while becoming the fifth 20-20 player in D-backs’ history when he had 26 homers and 20 stolen bases last season. Upton is a fiXture in right field, although his defense and focus remain works in progress. A converted infielder, Upton still has trouble with balls to his right, and he was removed from a game for not running out a ball last season. Center fielder Chris Young had what the D-backs believe was an aberrational season in 2009, when he was sent back to the minors for three weeks with a batting average under .200. The D-backs understand that Young may never hit for a high average, but they believe that 20-20 seasons (maybe even 25-25 seasons) and solid defense are within reach with his skill set. Jackson certainly will start somewhere – in left field unless he is otherwise occupied at first base. He is the most patient hitter on the roster. When Jackson is at first. left-handed-hitting Gerardo Parra is the first option in left after hitting .310 against righties as a rookie last season.

2010 Arizona Diamondbacks Catching:

Miguel Montero became the regular catcher when Chris Snyder went down with a back injury in June, and he never looked back. Montero had career highs in virtually every offensive category and was so consistent that he eventually moved into the cleanup spot, providing a left-handed balance between righties Upton and Reynolds. Montero also improved as a handler of pitchers, and he has always been a strong clubhouse presence.

2010 Arizona Diamondbacks Bench:

Snyder is one of the best defenders in the majors, and he makes the catching position a strength entering 2010. Allen hit 49 homers in 919 minor league at-bats the last two years and does not have much left to prove there. Ryan Roberts and newcomer Tony Abreu are steady reserves who provide versatility. After three previous cups of coffee, Roberts had a breakout 2009 while playing second base, third and left field. Abreu can play second base and shortstop and has surprising pop. Eric Byrnes enters spring training as the fifth outfielder on a team that likes to carry four, but his resume includes a remarkable 2007 in which he became one of 2 players in major league history with at least 20 homers and 50 stolen bases in the same year.

Arizona Diamondbacks 2010 Season Predictions

We predict that the Arizona Diamondbacks will finish 4th in the NL West Division .

Arizona Diamondbacks 5-Year Win Trend

2009: 5th NL West 70
2008: 2nd NL West 82
2007: 1st NL West 90
2006: T-4th NL West 76
2005: 2nd NL West 77

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