Oh Yeah!!!! The most exciting franchise on Bro Takes is back. Offseason Breakdown. I know everyone was clamoring for it so it just had to come back for the third installment. And what better team to start it off with than the Arizona Diamondbacks. So if you are not aware of what is done here, I write about all the acquisitions and losses the team had, my projected lineups and rotations, grade for the offseason, and my prediction for the team in the 2020 season. So without further ado, let’s get into it.
Acquisitions and Losses:
SP Madison Bumgarner signed a 5 year $85 million contract
This was a shocking signing, but at the same time, it isn’t. It was shocking that Bumgarner went to a team with very little promise. You would think a pitcher of his caliber/name alone would want to head to a contender, but you have to remember who Bumgarner is. He never wanted to go to a big market team and that was one of the reasons why he wasn’t traded to New York during the trade deadline last season. He followed the Zack Greinke route and will enjoy his big money in Arizona.
Arizona trades 2 minor league prospects to the Pirates for CF Starling Marte
This was a trade location I did not see Marte landing in. I thought Marte would go to a bigger market team once he became available, but somehow the D-Backs were able to acquire him. Marte had one of his better seasons last year in Pittsburgh where he hit .295 with 23 home runs and 83 RBIs, which were both career highs. Starling Marte will be the new starting center fielder and moves star player Ketel Marte to second base.
RF Kole Calhoun signs a 2 year $16 million contract
The D-Backs ink their new starting right fielder and I like the signing. Calhoun is a good power hitter who can hit 30+ home runs a season and can get on base. Last year Calhoun had 33 home runs, 74 RBIs, 90 runs, 70 BBs, and had a .325 on-base percentage. Underrated player whos biggest struggle is hitting the ball.
2B Wilmer Flores signs a 2 year $6.5 million contract with San Francisco
Flores will always be a player I love dearly and he had a very underrated season last year with Arizona. Flores hit .317 in 265 at-bats last season. Flores can play every position in the infield and shows he can be a trustworthy pitch hitter.
C Stephen Vogt signs a 1 year $3 million contract
The Diamondback replace Alex Avila, who signed with Minnesota, with former 2-time All-Star Stephen Vogt. Vogt hasn’t been the same since 2016 but had a good comeback 2019 season. In 255 at-bats last season, Vogt hit .263, had an on-base of .314, and a pretty good slugging percentage of .490. Vogt will be a good back up option for Carson Kelly
Projected Lineup:
C: Carson Kelly
1B: Christian Walker
2B: Ketel Marte
3B: Eduardo Escobar
SS: Nick Ahmed
LF: David Peralta
CF: Starling Marte
RF: Kole Calhoun
Projected Rotation
1. Madison Bumgarner
2. Robbie Ray
3. Mike Leake
4. Luke Weaver
5. Merrill Kelly
Offseason Grade:Â B+
2020 Prediction:
The Diamondback had a pretty shockingly good offseason. Adding Bumgarner, Marte, and Calhoun are pretty good pickups that can make them a middle of the road team. I can see the D-Back finishing the season with around 78-83 wins and finishing 3rd in the NL West. Their biggest problem will be pitching this season. The Diamondbacks had a lot of pitchers who had an above 3 ERAs so if they want to compete with a wild card spot this season they need to fix their pitching staff.
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