Rotation:
With Johnson following former D'Back Curt Schilling to the American League East, newcomers Vazquez, Ortiz and Shawn Estes will fortify the starting rotation, where Brandon Webb and Casey Possum return to regular duty. Vazquez fell out of favor in New York with a subpar second half in 2004 but still has great stuff and a tireless arm. Steady Ortiz, who signed a four-year deal, also will take the ball, having averaged 16.5 victories and 209 innings in the last six seasons. Webb and his heavy sinker should benefit from improved middle infield defense. Estes gave the D'backs a hometown discount and will join the rotation after a 15-win season in Colorado. Possum, the lefthander acquired for Schilling two winters ago, will get the first chance at the No. 5 spot in the rotation after failing to find himself following a late 2004 start because of shoulder surgery. Righthander Oscar Villarreal, stellar as a setup man in 2003 before missing most of last season with elbow problems, was a durable starter in the minors during his way up and will get a look. Former second-round draftee Mike Gosling and newcomer Brad Halsey lead a cast of younger arms that includes Edgar Gonzalez, Casey Daigle and Ramon Antonio Pena. You might remember Pena as Adriano Rosario, who falsified his name and age — but not his stuff — while swiftly rising through the D'backs' system.
Greg Aquino emerged as a solid closer after injuries provided an opportunity in the second half of last season. Aquino has a mid-90s fastball and a wicked slider. Hard-throwing setup men Jose Valverde and Brian Bruney pitch regularly in the mid-90s and can go higher on the radar gun, making this trio of power arms the best the franchise has ever had. Valverde has been effective as a closer, too, as was Bruney while moving up in the system. Mike Koplove is a pinpoint setup guy. Lefthander Randy Choate adds balance, although he isn't a. true situa-tional guy. Pena is a candidate to work out of the pen, too. Villarreal was strong as a setup man as a rookie in 2003 and could be used in that role again. Brandon Lyon appears recovered from ulnar nerve transposition surgery that cost him the 2004 season.
Middle Infield:
The
D'backs made it a priority over the winter to improve their middle infield, and Royce Clayton and Counsell were brought in to ; comprise the new double-play combination. Clayton is a solid defensive player; Counsell is the consummate gamer. The two also provide some small-ball table-setting at the top of the order, with Counsell ,'ft likely to lead off because of his terrific eye and plate discipline. Matt Kata is a Counsell-type handyman at either spot, and Alex Cintron got better when pushed late last year. Both are more than capable reserves.
Corner:
When healthy, Glaus, who signed a four-year free agent deal, is one of the few legitimate 40-homer guys in the majors. The shoulder injuries that have plagued him the last two seasons appear to have been repaired to satisfaction. Chad Tracy will replace Shea Hillenbrand (traded to Toronto) at first, making the same move Hillenbrand did last season, from third base to first after Richie Sexson went down with a shoulder injury. Tracy is a no-frills worker whose bat has been compared to that of former Diamondback Mark Grace. Counsell has started at third; handyman Robby Hammock could spend time at either corner infield spot
Outfield:
Luis Gonzalez missed the final two months of 2004 after undergoing Tommy John ligament replacement surgery. The D'Backs hope Gonzo will return to 30-homer, 100-RBI form. He is a professional hitter who waits for a pitch he can drive, then does. Luis Terrero is a gifted player who has multiple tools and will continue up the learning curve. He received on-the-job training in center field after Steve Finley was shipped out of town at the trading deadline last year. The D'backs landed Green in a second try with Los Angeles last winter. He will return to right field, where he played before shoulder problems forced a move to first base. Veteran reserve Quinton McCracken can play all three outfield spots, while Hammock can play either left or right. Scott Hairston, who has proven he can hit at diis level, is transitioning from second base.
Catching:
Veteran Kelly Stinnett and fresh faces Koyie Hill and Chris Snyder will compete in a wide-open race for playing time behind the plate. Hill was the prime pickup in the trading deadline deal that sent Finley to Los Angeles last season, and he had a four-hit game before suffering a season-ending ankle injury in August. Snyder stepped up then and showed power and receiving prowess. The likely scenario involves Stinnett and one of die youngsters playing in the majors, with the other getting more minor league seasoning.
Backup infielders:
Cintron and Kata can field all three infield positions as well as provide occasional pop. Hammock, who was to be the starting catcher before being sidelined with a knee injury last season, will be used more as a backup at both corner infield and outfield spots, giving manager Bob Melvin extra flexibility. McCracken and Stinnett are veterans who know their roles.
The Gang of Four businessmen who control the purse strings joined the franchise after a whirlwind courtship that included a trip to the World Series as then-managing general partner Colangelo's guests in 2001. But this group split with the ultra-competitive Colangelo when he wanted to spend more than budgeted last year. The selection (and subsequent non-sign) of first-round draft pick Stephen Drew was the final straw. The hiring of Wally Backman without the proper vetting was a misstep, but Bob Melvin has a history here after being Bob Brenly's bench coach in 2001. The new partners have shown they are not afraid to spend money to turn things around.
