The season went downhill after opening day.
The Arizona Diamondbacks opened 2009 with a 9-8 victory over the Colorado Rockies at Chase Field, but starting right-hander Brandon Webb was not himself.
He allowed six runs in four innings, and later revealed shoulder discomfort. The game turned out to be the only one Webb would pitch all season.
By May 7, the 12-17 D-backs fired manager Bob Melvin, replacing him with rookie A.J. Hinch, who was then the 34-year-old director of player development.
With shaky defense and a troublesome bullpen, the Diamondbacks tumbled to a 70-92 record, last in the NL West.
After making several promising moves in the off-season, the Diamondbacks enter their final spring training in Tucson looking to move forward from 2009.
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"The intensity of spring training is going to matter to me. The attention to detail in spring training is going to matter to me," Hinch said.
Will they be better than last season?
How can they not? As one of the busiest clubs in the off-season, the D-backs added starting pitcher Edwin Jackson, first baseman Adam LaRoche and second baseman Kelly Johnson, and hope to get Webb, the 2006 NL Cy Young winner, and left fielder Conor Jackson back for full seasons. Plus, youngsters Justin Upton and Mark Reynolds return from dynamic, breakout seasons.
How good will the rotation be?
If Webb returns to health, the rotation could be one of the best in the NL and allow the club to contend for the division title. After Webb, who was 56-25 in his previous three seasons, and the Cy Young runner-up the previous two seasons, are perennial All-Star Dan Haren and new additions Jackson and Ian Kennedy.
"It's going to be great," catcher Chris Snyder said. "Edwin comes with a very good résumé. He's pitched in a World Series. I think he's going to be a solid complement to Webby and Danny."
Hinch said Haren will start opening day (vs. San Diego, April 5), followed by Jackson and Webb. The move "rewards" Haren and gives Webb a few extra days of spring training, Hinch said.
Who was the most valuable acquisition?
During last season's All-Star season with the Detroit Tigers, Jackson went 13-9 with a 3.62 ERA in a career-high 214 innings.
He was also the last D-back scheduled for an arbitration hearing. But he avoided arbitration by signing a two-year, $13.35 million deal on Feb. 14.
Jackson came at no small price - the D-backs gave up hard-throwing starter Max Scherzer and left-handed reliever Daniel Schlereth to the Tigers in the deal that also sent Curtis Granderson to the New York Yankees.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Manager
• A.J. Hinch, 35, second season. The former D-backs farm director stepped into his first managerial job when Bob Melvin was fired after the team started 12-17. He led the club to a 58-75 record.
2009
• 70-92, fifth in the NL West.
Strength
• Starting rotation: The Diamond-backs were active at the winter meetings, completing a three-team deal with the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers that sent right-hander Max Scherzer and lefty reliever Daniel Schlereth, a former Arizona Wildcat, to the Tigers. The D-backs received starting pitchers Edwin Jackson from the Tigers and Ian Kennedy from the Yankees, adding Nos. 3 and 4 starters to their rotation. Dan Haren, a 14-game winner last season, could be the ace. If Brandon Webb can return successfully from shoulder surgery, the D-backs' rotation can be a force again. Billy Buckner is expected to be the fifth starter.
Weakness
• Defense: The D-backs made the second-most errors in the NL last year with 124, which led to 71 unearned runs. Third baseman Mark Reynolds topped the club with 19 miscues, right fielder Justin Upton added 12, and shortstop Stephen Drew had 11. As the youngsters continue to develop, the errors could fall. Perhaps the additions of first baseman Adam LaRoche and second baseman Kelly Johnson can help solidify the defense.
Worth watching
• Reliever Bob Howry: The right-hander returns to his native Phoenix after signing a one-year deal. He posting a 3.39 ERA for the San Francisco Giants last season. He and Juan Gutierrez likely will pitch in setup roles in front of closer Chad Qualls. In 12 major-league seasons, Howry has produced a 3.66 ERA and struck out 639 in 752 2/3 innings.
Impact rookie
• Outfielder Gerardo Parra - In finishing tied for eighth in NL Rookie of the Year voting, the 22-year-old batted .290 with 21 doubles in 120 games. He made the jump from Double-A in mid-May and started 66 games in left field and 34 in center. This season, he will contend for a starting spot or could platoon with Chris Young or Conor Jackson.
Who's back
• Starter Brandon Webb: After missing all but the season opener last season, Webb underwent shoulder surgery in August.
• Closer Chad Qualls: Didn't pitch after Aug. 30. He dislocated his left knee on the mound, then underwent surgery.
• Outfielder Chris Young: The center fielder suffered the worst season of his career, hitting .212 with 15 home runs. He even took a demotion to Triple-A.
• Infielder Augie Ojeda: Super sub played second base, shortstop and third base in 103 games last season.
• Outfielder Conor Jackson: Valley fever kept him out of all but 30 games last season. He hit .300 with 75 RBIs in his last full season, 2008.
• Catcher Chris Snyder: Underwent back surgery after playing in 61 games, his lowest total since 2006, while Miguel Montero became the club's primary catcher.
• Infielder Ryan Roberts: Vying for a bench role after playing in 110 of his 128 career major-league games last season, appearing at second base and third base and in the outfield.
Who's new
• Right-hander Edwin Jackson: In 214 innings for the Tigers, he posted a 3.62 ERA. After becoming an All-Star, he had a 5.07 ERA in the second half.
• Right-hander Ian Kennedy: Pitched just 22 2/3 innings last season with the Yankees' Triple-A affiliate, after he underwent surgery for an aneurysm in his arm.
• Second baseman Kelly Johnson: Hit .224 last season with the Atlanta Braves. He batted .287 in 2008.
• First baseman Adam LaRoche: Hit .277 with 25 homers and 83 RBIs for the Braves, Red Sox and Pirates last season. His career average is .274 in six seasons.
• Reliever Aaron Heilman: Acquired from the Cubs for two minor-league players. He went 4-4 with a 4.11 ERA last season.
Sarah Trotto
SCHEDULE
March
4 Rockies at D-backs, 1:05 p.m.
5 D-backs at Cubs, 1:05 p.m.
6 D-backs at Giants, 1:05 p.m.
7 Rockies at D-backs, 1:05 p.m. (ss); D-backs at Rockies, 1:10 p.m. (ss)
8 Indians at D-backs, 1:05 p.m.
9 D-backs at Reds, 1:05 p.m.
10 D-backs at Dodgers, 1:05 p.m.
11 Angels at D-backs, 1:05 p.m.
12 Athletics at D-backs, 1:05 p.m.
13 Dodgers at D-backs, 1:05 p.m.
14 D-backs at Rangers, 1:05 p.m. (ss); D-backs vs. Rockies in Hermosillo, 1:05 p.m. (ss)
15 Mariners at D-backs, 1:05 p.m.
16 Reds at D-backs, 1:05 p.m.
17 D-backs at Angels, 1:05 p.m.
18 D-backs at Athletics, 1:05 p.m.
19 Royals at D-backs, 1:05 p.m.
20 D-backs at Mariners, 1:05 p.m.
21 Giants at D-backs, 1:05 p.m.
22 Padres at D-backs, 1:05 p.m.
24 D-backs at White Sox, 1:05 p.m.
25 Cubs at D-backs, 1:05 p.m.
26 White Sox at D-backs, 1:05 p.m.
27 D-backs at Indians, 1:05 p.m.
28 Brewers at D-backs, 1:05 p.m.
29 D-backs at Padres, 7:05 p.m.
30 Rangers at D-backs, 1:05 p.m.
31 D-backs at Rockies, 1:10 p.m.
