30 Teams in 30 Days: Arizona Diamondbacks

I was going to wait until March, but I just couldn't wait any longer. Over the next 30 days, I'm going to breakdown all 30 MLB Clubs, though not necessarily one per day in alphabetical order, culminating with a crazy long post giving my full MLB breakdown, and where I see each team ending up.

Lineup

1. Stephen Drew SS
2. Conor Jackson LF
3. Justin Upton RF
4. Mark Reynolds 3B
5. Adam LaRoche 1B
6. Miguel Montero C
7. Chris Young CF
8. Kelly Johnson 2B

Starting Rotation: Dan Haren, Brandon Webb, Edwin Jackson, Ian Kennedy, Billy Buckner
Closer: Chad Qualls

What To Like:
- A healthy Brandon Webb
- Edwin Jackson pitching in an NL West littered with pitcher-friendly parks. Expect a sharp decrease in his HR rate, and perhaps another All-Star year from him.
- Justin Upton is one of the most complete players in the game, and has 30/30 written all over him.
- Mark Reynolds gives them a solid 40HR guy in the middle of the lineup
- Miguel Montero is a rising star at the Catcher position, and is poised for a breakout year in 2010

What Not to Like:
- Everything else about Mark Reynolds' game. Expect his average to drop from the .260 he posted last year, his defense is abhorrent, and he's still good for 200+ strikeouts a year
- The wasted talent that is Chris Young (the outfielder)
- LaRoche gives them a solid 3rd bat, but this isn't a lineup that's going to strike a lot of fear into opposing pitcher's hearts.
- THE BULLPEN: The Snakes' biggest problem in 2009 will continue on into 2010, as they posted a 4.61 ERA last year, costing countless wins for Danny Haren, and derailing their season.

Prognosis: Few teams in the majors have more question marks entering the season than Arizona, and while I think this team has the talent to compete in the NL West, I don't see that talent translating into on-field results. Without a true leadoff hitter, inconsistency throughout the lineup (most of them are feast/famine type guys), and with one of the worst pens in the game, I can't envision their strong starting pitching being able to carry them in a very tough NL West.

(75-87 4th in the NL West)