Arizona Diamondbacks- 2013 Preview

2012 Results: 81-81 (3rd in NL West)

To be totally honest, 2012 was VERY disappointing for Arizona fans. After a very successful 2011 season, 2012 was meant to be the continuation. Instead the D'backs fell to a .500 record and were completely irreverent from postseason talk. Where was the problem? The D'backs were 13th in baseball in batting average (.259), 15th in ERA (3.93), and 6th in Fielding percentage (.985). So does this explain the poor performance of the team during the year? A little bit.

I looked more into the stats and found that Arizona wasn't a bad team from a stats point of view. The team gave up a total of 688 runs and managed to score 734, a run differential of +46. The fault mainly lies within the pitching staff. In 2011 Arizona's staff had a 3.80 ERA and managed only to give up a total of 662 run while scoring 731, a run differential of +69. The fact that Arizona gave up more runs in 2012 while scoring the same amount shows why they performed the way they did. The offense just wasn't there and the pitching staff didn't do as well.

How does 2013 look?

Offseason Moves:  ARRIVALS

1B/OF Lars Anderson - Trade (CLE)
1B/OF Eric Hinske - Free Agent (ATL)
3B/1B Eric Chavez (NYY)
SS Didi Gregorius - Trade (CLE)
IF Gustavo Nuñez - Waivers (PIT)
IF Cliff Pennington - Trade (OAK)
OF Cody Ross - Free Agent (BOS)
RHP Heath Bell - Trade (MIA)
RHP Brandon McCarthy - Free Agent (OAK)
RHP Starling Peralta - Rule 5 (CHC)
LHP Matt Reynolds - Trade (COL)
LHP Tony Sipp - Trade (CLE)

DEPARTURES

C Konrad Schmidt - Waivers (TEX)
1B/3B Ryan Wheeler - Trade (COL)
IF Yordy Cabrera - Trade (MIA)
IF Jake Elmore - Waivers (HOU)
IF Gustavo Nuñez - Rule 5 return (DET)
OF Ender Inciarte - Rule 5 (PHI)
OF Chris Young - Trade (OAK)
RHP Matt Albers - Trade (CLE)
RHP Trevor Bauer - Trade (CLE)
RHP Brad Bergesen - Free Agent (Japan)
RHP Sam Demel - Waivers (HOU)
RHP Takashi Saito - Free Agent (Japan)
RHP Bryan Shaw - Trade (CLE)

Overall the Diamondbacks have IMPROVED this offseason, however it may depend on the Justin Upton situation. If rumors are to be believed then he will be traded before the season starts. However it seems hard to believe that Arizona would trade him considering his upside unless they were to get a great package in return.

2013 Prediction: 88-74 (3rd in NL West)
While I think the D'backs will be improved in 2013, it's hard to think the moves they've made so far will be enough to compete with the Dodgers or Giants. The second wild card will be a focus on the D'backs but it's hard to say they will be able to get it. Arizona still needs some pitching help and until they get that, 88 wins seems like a safe guess for them. While the offense has been improved, the D'backs need to find a good starter still. Shawn Marcum, Joe Saunders, and Kyle Loshe are all still available and should be a reasonably cheap option for any team, Arizona included, to sign.

Arizona has proved one thing before, never underestimate them. In 2011, no one thought Arizona would be a player for the NL West or any playoff spot.They manged to get 94 wins and the NL West crown, so it's possible for Arizona to do that again.