At this time last year, the Oakland A's were getting ready for a new season with a bunch of question marks and 2 huge hurdles (Angels and Rangers) in their division. As I look over the teams this year, the Arizona Diamondbacks seem to be in a very similar situation, question marks and hurdles (Giants and Dodgers) await them.
Heading into last season, the A's were picked by most to finish third in their division behind one team that had recently been to a World Series, and another team from L.A. that was stacked with high priced players, sound familiar? I can see the 2013 Dodgers under-performing much like 2012 Angels, and the 2013 Giants might be staring at a "hangover" from recent high times and success. This would open up the door for this year's Diamondbacks to sneak in and steal the division with a bunch of "no-name" players, much like the A's did last year.
Speaking of "no-name" players, many of this years D-Backs are former Athletics. Two of them were major pieces of last year's Cinderella Team, shortstop Cliff Pennington and starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy. Other former Athletics include SP Trevor Cahill, RP Brad Ziegler, OF Cody Ross, and 3B Eric Chavez.
In the off season, the Diamondbacks got rid of their biggest name star, outfielder Justin Upton. They traded him to the Braves for third baseman Martin Prado, another "no-name" player. They might have lost some star power and overwhelming talent, but they gained consistency and camaraderie, the cornerstone to Oakland's success last year. Up and down this Arizona roster, I see the same type of players that led the A's to 94 wins a year ago.
Currently at 50-1 to win the World Series, and about 6-1 to win the NL West, this is clearly a bold prediction that will most likely be wrong, but there is a chance. They have pitching depth in both the rotation and the bullpen and a nice balance of power and defense, but the biggest advantage they have is their team chemistry and the fact no one is expecting too much from them, just like the 2012 Oakland Athletics.
Heading into last season, the A's were picked by most to finish third in their division behind one team that had recently been to a World Series, and another team from L.A. that was stacked with high priced players, sound familiar? I can see the 2013 Dodgers under-performing much like 2012 Angels, and the 2013 Giants might be staring at a "hangover" from recent high times and success. This would open up the door for this year's Diamondbacks to sneak in and steal the division with a bunch of "no-name" players, much like the A's did last year.
Speaking of "no-name" players, many of this years D-Backs are former Athletics. Two of them were major pieces of last year's Cinderella Team, shortstop Cliff Pennington and starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy. Other former Athletics include SP Trevor Cahill, RP Brad Ziegler, OF Cody Ross, and 3B Eric Chavez.
In the off season, the Diamondbacks got rid of their biggest name star, outfielder Justin Upton. They traded him to the Braves for third baseman Martin Prado, another "no-name" player. They might have lost some star power and overwhelming talent, but they gained consistency and camaraderie, the cornerstone to Oakland's success last year. Up and down this Arizona roster, I see the same type of players that led the A's to 94 wins a year ago.
Currently at 50-1 to win the World Series, and about 6-1 to win the NL West, this is clearly a bold prediction that will most likely be wrong, but there is a chance. They have pitching depth in both the rotation and the bullpen and a nice balance of power and defense, but the biggest advantage they have is their team chemistry and the fact no one is expecting too much from them, just like the 2012 Oakland Athletics.
