Serviceable Options For Diamondbacks. Ho Hum (or Not)?

by Apple Goodthree

Trading a star player for a bunch of average players rarely works.  Justin Upton is potentially a legitimate star, a top ten player.  But, would he reach that potential in Phoenix?  Would his presence add to team synergy or take away from it?

I am okay with the trade which sent Justin Upton (and Chris Johnson) to Atlanta for Martin Prado, Randall Delgado, Nick Ahmed and Zeke Spruill.  Most comments I have seen suggest the Diamondbacks are a little mental for making this trade.  Prado doesn’t have the star potential that Upton does.  But Prado is good.  In my opinion they will not regret this trade in the long run even if Upton fills some of his potential.

Why?  I think the Diamondbacks are sick of a star player striking out in key situations.  They are sick of a star player getting hurt.  What management wants is reliability and consistency.  Why else?  Because the Diamondbacks can win.  But, I have noticed something with this Dbacks club that goes against my taste in players.

It’s the “average” player – the serviceable option at this base, that base or the outfield.  Cody Ross is the prototype.  He’s good, but he’s not a star.  Jason Kubel is another – good but I don’t consider him a star.  Cliff Pennington.  Good grief.  Talk about average.  I hope that Paul Goldschmidt doesn't fall into this category either.

I definitely like Martin Prado.  But I always considered him simply a real nice player at second, third or the outfield.  I really would like my third baseman to be the Evan Longoria type.  But, there we go with injury issues again.  So what the hell’s my point?

My point is that maybe these players are growing on me.  Maybe they are players that Kirk Gibson can work with.  Are they serviceable options plus one?  Maybe we're onto something.  Gibby Ball?  Take young center fielder Adam Eaton, for example.  Who knows?  He might make the team.  He’s tough.  He’s got pretty good speed and a little pop. If a guy like that starts in center field, it could be a good thing.  It seems what he had going against him is that he’s short (only 4 inches taller than Freddie Patek).

Losing Chris Young?  He started off last year wonderfully.  Was he going to fulfill his potential?  Let him fulfill it somewhere else.  He’s always injured.  So, I am liking this reliability with the Diamondbacks.  I am liking this potential of hustle.  Sure, it's "potential" reliability and hustle.  But it's like being a Jet fan.  The management sucks so it's hard to put a good team on the field.  Fans are frustrated because of something that is out of control.

Here the groundwork is being laid for reliability and talent.  Montero behind the plate, Goldschmidt at first, Aaron Hill at second, (maybe) Didi Gregorius at short, and Prado at third.  I am okay with that.  I would love to have Geraldo Parra start in left field because his great defense will change games.  Then we have a choice between two very serviceable options in right field, Jason Kubel and Cody Ross.

This team is going to hustle.  I would like to see a big base stealer (the hope of Didi).  But there is decent speed here.  And here’s a statement.  You knew it was coming.  And, you won’t agree because the Los Angeles Dodgers are stacked and the Giants are defending champs.  The Diamondbacks will win their division.  If you re-read this and compare the Diamondbacks with other teams, I probably have not made my case.  

But, there are wins in the intangibles.  There are wins in base running.  There are wins in defense.   There are wins in attitude.  One of my favorite average players is Nick Swisher. When Nick first started playing right field for the Yankees, I was sure a ball would bounce off his head and land in the stands.  What an adventure he was defensively.  Yes, he had a good year last year in 2012.  But he's average.

Ask any Yankee if he's a good teammate and good for morale?  They'll probably say yes.  Does Swisher see the strike zone well?  Yes.  And since we are talking about last year, ask Buck Showalter if you can win a division with good team play and positive attitude.  Close enough.  Bye Justin.  Hello hustle and intensity. Hello Gibby Ball.