Gio Gonzalez Coming Back to Arizona

PHOENIX - After a long and drawn out bidding process Gio Gonzalez has decided to return to Arizona. Gonzalez drew initial interest from the Giants and Rangers, but the Giants dropped out after the offers started to get bigger. It looked like Texas was going to land him until the Twins stepped in and a late offer from the Pirates seemed to change his mind. Despite the flurry of offers, Gonzalez opted to stay with the Diamondbacks.

 The 29-year old free agent had a disappointing 2014 season in which he posted a career low in innings pitched, strikeouts, and career high ERA since becoming a full-time starter in 2010. Gonzalez has been almost a lock for 32-33 starts since 2010, but 2014 saw him only able to take the mound 27 times.

Gonzalez and Arizona agreed to a two-year $18.4 million contract through 2016 with a team option for 2017 that would take the total to $27.6 million. The deal will take him through his age 31 season which should see him hit the market again for one more contract.

Arizona needs Gonzalez to lead their staff.

Gonzalez went 21-8 with 207K and a 2.89ERA in 2012, but has failed to return to those lofty heights since. The Diamondbacks don't expect him to repeat 2012 every year, but they will need him to pitch 200+ innings, keep his WHIP under 1.20, and win between 12-15 games (if not more) every year in order for this deal to be worth it.

Diamondbacks Release 2015 Uniform Design

PHOENIX - After bizarrely unveiling new uniforms for 2014 in May the Diamondbacks seem to have decided to be more organized going forward. They did release the design after Christmas, so they probably can't count on people rushing out to buy them just yet.

The basics of the design have remained the same, the only real change is the logo font. The snake themed font from the previous rebranding is gone in favor of something more playful. The team announced that the new design was intended to invoke "Diamondback fangs" while avoiding the cartoon snake. Bringing back black was explored, but in the end the team decided to stick with red and metallic gold.

2015 Home Uniform

2015 Road Uniform

2015 Third Uniform

Revisions to minor league affiliates were also on the table, but management decided that the existing designs were fine as is. The Reno Aces home uniform is a favorite, but their road jerseys may get a redesign for the 2016 season.

Diamondbacks 2014-2015 Offseason

PHOENIX - The Diamondbacks 2014-2015 off-season had one extremely apparent theme; change. The changes started before last season was even over, with ownership moving on from the two GM model by firing one and keeping the other. The removal of Mr. Schroeer was just the start, not long after the front office was altered they showed manager Kirk Gibson and a number of his assistants the door. Arizona then hired Athletics bench coach Chip Hale, formerly a minor league coach with the Diamondbacks organization, to be manager. Turner Ward was promoted to Hitting Coach from Assistant Hitting Coach, and Mike Harkey takes over as Pitching Coach after six years as the Yankees' Bullpen Coach.

Hopefully Hale can bring more than 'grit' to this roster.

Once the front office and coaching staff was in order the team started rapidly tearing down the 2014 Diamondbacks to build towards a (hopefully) better future, more on that later.

NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST OUTLOOK

The NL West, oddly enough, probably won't be much different in 2015. The San Francisco Giants, defending World Champions, are probably going to walk away with the division and look like a favorite to repeat as World Champions. The Giants continue to have great hitters and pitchers, it's just going to be a matter of putting things together like last year and making their roster stronger through free agency.

The only thing up in the air is who will be the worst team in the division, and it's going to be a solid four team competition. Outside of San Francisco, this could be the worst division in baseball. There are teams engineering serious rebuilds (Arizona and San Diego), a team in flux (Colorado), and an outright bad team that appears to be rudderless at the moment (Los Angeles). Of the four the Dodgers have the most potential, but it doesn't seem likely any of these teams are going to be competing for much aside from a Top 5 draft slot.

WINTER TRADE WINDS

If it wasn't nailed down, the Diamondbacks tried to trade it this year. They probably would have traded things that were nailed down if someone offered a prospect for it, but sadly they were only able to move players. Arizona effectively burned down their roster and stocked their minor league system for the future, the trades ranged from minor blockbuster to forgettable, but each one is an important move forward.

Can Winker become the future of Arizona's outfield?

The biggest trade was one with the Chicago Cubs that saw Carlos Santana, Lonnie Chisenhall, Dayan Viciedo, Ian Kennedy, and Pat Neshek leave town. The centerpiece of the deal was OF Jesse Winker, a Top 100 prospects by many scouting services, but the addition of LHP Enny Romero and OF Billy McKinney made it hard to pass up. The deal also included C/3B Victor Caratini, C John Baker, RP Alex Torres, and RHP Mason Melotakis.

Jake Arrieta also hit the road, heading west to the Giants in exchange for prospects RHP Nick Travieso and RHP Michael Lorenzen. With Arrieta heading for free agency after the season the team opted to cash in on his 2014 season instead of risking free agency next winter.

Will management be sorry they traded for Rosario?

The most satisfying trade for management was one that swapped OF Domonic Brown for OF/2B Eddie Rosario. The Twins and Diamondbacks entertained a similar trade before the 2014 season, but ultimately could not come to an agreement. Arizona has been enamored with Rosario's upside, despite his off-field issues, and hopes to see him in Phoenix soon.

The final trades before 2015 were big ones in terms of potential return. The Diamondbacks sent R.A. Dickey, Henderson Alvarez, and Didi Gregorious to the Indians in exchange for OF Austin Meadows, 2B Taylor Lindsey, and SS Yeltsin Gudino. Arizona also took on quite a bit of salary with this deal by agreeing to take on Matt Cain ($10.8 million), Ubaldo Jimenez ($3.4 million), Kevin Slowey ($2.1 million), and Omar Infante ($4.5 million). All of these contracts expire after the 2015 season, but the wasted cap space will be well worth it if Meadows, a Top 100 prospect, can develop into a star. This deal yielded even more prospects as Jimenez was immediately flipped to Toronto for two pitching prospects. He didn't even have time to hold up a Diamondbacks jersey.

Matt Adams was sent to Seattle in exchange for prospects, OF Michael Taylor and 3B Mitch Nay, and Josh Johnson's bloated contract ($8.2 million) that expires after 2015. Sources note that the Diamondbacks were after OF Raimel Tapia, but the Mariners wouldn't budge on the talented OF prospect.



ARIZONA FREE AGENCY PREVIEW

With free agency already open, the team doesn't look like it will do all that much aside from the signing of Yasmany Tomas. Tomas, a Cuban defector, was landed after a heated battle between a number of interested teams. He went into free agency as an outfielder but reports are that Arizona will give him a shot at third. Tomas agreed to a team friendly 6-year deal, 4-years followed by a 2-year mutual option, so he should be in Arizona for some time.

Will the Cuban slugger be a stud or a dud?

Ownership has openly stated that they only have one hard target during free agency; Gio Gonzalez. The team is content to let a number of 2014 regulars walk, mainly SS J.J. Hardy and Trevor Cahill, but the team is committed to bringing back their ace. Despite not having a good season in 2014 due to injuries, the team feels that Gonzalez is part of their rebuilding process. The shedding of contracts through trades has left quite a bit of cap room for the Diamondbacks, it would be surprising if they failed to ink Gonzalez to a new deal.

Some sources feel that Arizona would be willing to bring Cahill back, but it's unlikely they will want to pay the 26-year old much considering his steep decline. There are also rumors that the Diamondbacks might be interested in RP David Hernandez, who missed all of 2014 after undergoing Tommy John Surgery, but with the bullpen arms available it seems unlikely that Arizona will invest any more in relievers.

The team is also laying low for the next few years as a whopping $38 million is scheduled to come off the books after the 2015 season, and none of those players appear to be of interest. If Matt Cain returns to form it's possible they would bring him back, but it's more likely they would flip him at the trade deadline to someone interested in a starter.

PROJECTED 2015 ROSTER (WINTER)

Pending the completion of Free Agency the Diamondbacks roster looks rather spartan. A number of projected starters are just guys who happen to be around (John Baker, Tony Campana) and 2014 contributors thrust into full-season roles (Ender Inciarte, Chase Anderson, Michael Bolsinger.) Paul Goldschmidt continues to be the cornerstone of this roster, but with the way things are going he could be gone before spring training.

C - John Baker
1B - Paul Goldschmidt
2B - Omar Infante
SS - Chris Owings
3B - Yasmany Tomas (Rumored)
LF - Tony Campana
CF - David Peralta
RF - Ender Inciarte
DH - Aaron Hill

SP - Patrick Corbin
SP - Matt Cain
SP - Kevin Slowey
SP - Michael Bolsinger
SP - Chase Anderson
RP - Joakim Soria
RP - Jim Johnson
RP - Matt Reynolds
RP - Alex Torres

2014 Season - Down On The Farm (September)

The season has come to a close, with the exception of the Arizona Fall League, but for the most part the Diamondbacks system is quiet. It was a disappointing season for the Diamondbacks, but there is some hope brewing the minors. Thanks to some players taking some serious steps forward, and some promising draft picks, it looks like the strength of the system is pitching.

RHP, Braden Shipley (Grade : B+, Double-A Mobile)

Made his way through three levels (Class-A, Class-A Advanced, and Double-A) and looked good everywhere. Slowed down a bit in Double-A and finished the year with a 7-8 record, but his stock is holding steady going into 2015.

RHP Aaron Blair (Grade : B, Double-A Mobile)

Basically shadowed Shipley through three levels, but had better results and pitched well enough that his stock is on the way up. Should enter 2015 as a B+, but there is some chatter that Blair (not Shipley) is the best pitching prospect in Arizona.

RHP Matt Barnes (Grade : B-, Triple-A Reno / Diamondbacks)

Barnes finished 2014 well and probably improved his stock going forward, but at age 24 he probably doesn't have much left to prove in the minors. Came up to the Diamondbacks during roster expansion, threw a few innings out of the bullpen, might get a shot at the rotation in 2015.

RHP Jake Barrett (Grade : B-, Triple-A Reno)

Solid season through two levels (Double-A, Triple-A) and probably holds steady with a B- grade, which is high praise for a reliever. Looks like he has nothing left to prove in the minors and should be ready for a major league trial in 2015 similar to fellow reliever Matt Stites.

RHP Alex Colome (Grade : B-, Triple-A Reno)

Had a decent suspension shortened season in Triple-A posting a 3.77ERA in 86IP, pitched sparsely for the Diamondbacks (17IP). Continues to be promising but health and command are a concern.

LHP David Holmberg (Grade : B-, Triple-A Reno / Diamondbacks)

Really bad season, just did not look like his usual self. Was hammered in multiple call-ups, which wasn't a surprise considering his MiLB numbers. Hopefully just an aberration, 2015 should be better.

3B Jake Lamb (Grade : B-, Arizona Diamondbacks)

Lamb just shot right through Reno to the majors after a surprising season in Double-A. Didn't look like the next Mike Trout, especially after missing some time due to injury, but he looks like a viable replacement for Lonnie Chisenhall at 3B.

SS Luis Sardinas (Grade : B-, Triple-A Reno / Diamondbacks)

Spent most of his year between Mobile and Reno with a few stints on the Diamondbacks. Still relies on defense to get himself in the lineup, but he hit .271 in 96AB while in the majors which is better than expected. Could benefit from the potential turnover at 2B with Gregorious and Hill figuring to be potential trade targets this off season.

SS Sergio Alcantara (Grade : C+, Rookie PL)

Mostly shined on defense and didn't have much power to speak of. Drew walks, but struck out at an unpleasant pace. He is still just 18 so there is time for the power and plate discipline to develop.

RHP Jimmy Sherfy (Grade : C+, Double-A Mobile)

Sherfy flew into the season under the radar but went on a tear and turned some heads. He couldn't keep things together and regressed, especially once promoted to Double-A, but his 68K in 49IP stands out. Could see time in the majors out of the bullpen in 2015, or he could spend more time in the minors.

RHP Matt Stites (Grade : C+, Triple-A Reno / Diamondbacks)

Pitched very well in Triple-A and moved up to the majors for 33 innings of work, but he was hit pretty hard during that stretch. Doesn't seem to have much left to prove in the minors so he should be back in the Diamondbacks pen for 2015, if he can get his command back he could be a valuable reliever with potential-closer upside.

OF Justin Williams (Grade : C+, Rookie PL)

Excelled in rookie ball and played well when promoted to Class-A South Bend. Still only 19, and figures to move up prospect lists for 2015.

2014 Season Report (End of Season)

The season has finally come to an end, and the Super Karate Monkey Death Car has parked in Kirk Gibson's spot. Despite a healthy 88-74 record (9th overall) the Goldschmidt-less Diamondbacks failed to make the playoffs and ownership decided to move in a different direction. In another front office shakeup ownership opted to terminate it's dual-GM experiment by firing Mr. Schroeer and retaining Mr. Ayers. The team is already hunting for a new coach and fielding trade offers for basically everyone on the roster.

The biggest surprise of the closing days was the status of Chris Owings' shoulder. The team had him rehab and let him come back at the end of the season only to post a sad slash line (.208/.256/.236), but it turns out that his injury was worse than originally thought. Owings is scheduled to undergo surgery on his left shoulder, hopefully Dr. James Andrews can work his magic in a non-Tommy John procedure.

The Diamondbacks' MVP was... Paul Goldschmidt! Even after missing most of the 2nd half he finished with one of the best stat lines on the team. Carlos Santana made it hard on voters with 27HR and 85RBI, but the .231BA wasn't working in his favor. David Peralta and Ender Inciarte also looked good, finishing the season with better-than-expected numbers, but ultimately it was the loss of Goldschmidt that doomed their season.

On the mound things get even muddier in terms of who was the 'best' pitcher. Ian Kennedy is the front runner with a full season under his belt and a career mark in K's (207), but a 13-13 record and a 1.29WHIP makes his 3.63ERA look much worse. Gio Gonzalez, the staff ace, missed a number of starts and didn't look sharp during a long stretch after returning. Gonzalez finished the season strong, but at that point it was too little too late in the face of a late season charge by the Braves. It actually looks like the best pitcher in Arizona was Pat Neshek, an early season free agent, who only tossed 67.1 inning but did more with them than just about anyone not named Jake Arrieta. Arrieta started the season late himself, but posted low win and K totals, and his 0.99WHIP and 2.53ERA were just what the team needed.

With so many people getting fired, and management looking to rebuild, it's hard to believe everyone will be back for the 2015 season. Most expect the GM to gut this team and look toward the future by stockpiling prospects.

2014 Season Report (150 Games)

Ok, now it's really over. The dark clouds that have been gathering since Paul Goldschmidt's season ended have finally descended on Chase Field, now nothing but reality is raining down on the Diamondbacks. Once in a close fight with Atlanta for that 5th playoff spot, the Diamondbacks are now looking up at the Braves and the Marlins are right behind. They also probably need to start worrying about the Cubs. Still the 9th best team in baseball (82-68) they are suffering from the extreme depth in the NL, with a whopping 7 teams in the Top 10 and the Cubs just about ready to kick Arizona out. Rough year in a rough division, it's all over now.

Injuries. Who doesn't like injuries? The Diamondbacks have been ravaged by injuries recently, and it doesn't look like they will be able to recover before the end of the season. David Peralta, Domonic Brown, Jake Lamb, and JJ Hardy are all missing significant time with various bumps and bruises. It's so bad that Didi Gregorious is the DH at the moment, if Diamondbacks fans weren't already avoiding home games the sight of Gregorious getting regular playing time might send them running.

The rotation is a little better off, but at this point Gibson just seems to be throwing warm bodies out there until the game is over. The staff is good, but if they had any chance of getting back into the Wild Card they would all have to be Clayton Kershaw for the rest of the month. The probability of that happening is low at best. Joakim Soria seems to be fully healthy, but it's doubtful that he will contribute all that much through the end of the season.

2014 Season Report (140 Games)

It's been a wild month leading up to September, and it might not get much better. The loss of Paul Goldschmidt left fans feeling hopeless, but the team has yet to fall off a cliff. At one point they suffered a losing streak that left them well behind the Braves for the final Wild Card spot, but they managed to jump a little ahead only to fall a little behind. The Diamondbacks are still running on fumes but continue to be 9th in the majors (76-64) and a solid 2nd in the NL West which is faint praise considering that the Dodgers (20th), Rockies (23rd), and Padres (27th) are all rebuilding and some of the worst teams in baseball.

The loss of Goldschmidt seemed fatal, but it just happened to coincide with a little boost from some of Arizona's lesser known players. David Peralta continues to be a good OF option, and Ender Inciarte has exploded recently to give the team a real boost of speed. Inciarte, who rarely got the nod over Dom Brown for most of the season, now has 14SB and a respectable BA (.268) after starting the season very slowly. The return of Chris Owings has also helped boost the offense, knocking Didi Gregorious back to the bench, and Carlos Santana continues to mash (24HR) and do little else (.228BA).

Is Lamb the future at 3B?

Fans are getting to see a glimpse of the future with 3B Jake Lamb rushing through AAA Reno and getting some at-bats when Lonnie Chisenhall sits. Lamb isn't doing much to impress at the moment (.185, 2HR, 9RBI, and a brutal 26:6 SO:BB ratio), but the fact he is playing at all is a testament to his ability. Lamb, a University of Washington product, is still just 23 so he has time to improve.


The pitching staff, surprisingly, has really come around and the starting rotation is doing quite well. Most expected the staff to be a serious weak spot, but some trades and call ups have really filled out this rotation that is on pace to finish with the 6th most strikeouts in the majors. September roster expansion has brought up David Holmberg and Kyle Lobstein, once dangled as trade bait, but neither has done much so far. The starters are rolling, but injuries are devastating a once promising bullpen. Jim Johnson has practically been run out of Phoenix, and Joakim Soria is just now starting to throw again, while Henderson Alvarez is constantly bothered by an oblique injury. Pat Neshek has taken over closing duties for now while future-closer-in-waiting Matt Stites looks more like Jim Johnson than a future closer.