Winter is drawing to an end. Football and the Olympics are over with, and that can only mean one thing: It’s time for baseball.
For us D-Backs fans, we can only hope 2010 is not a repeat of the dismal 2009 season.
The 2009 season was a forgettable one for the Diamondbacks. Injuries to stars Brandon Webb and Conor Jackson took away two of our best players. Terrible defense and a rookie manager certainly did not help either.
In the end, the team sputtered to a last-place finish in the National League West.
The offseason brought significant changes — changes we all hope can get us back to our winning ways.
A blockbuster trade brought pitchers Edwin Jackson and Ian Kennedy to Arizona. Infielders Adam LaRoche and Kelly Johnson signed as free agents, and former D-Backs star Matt Williams and Bo Porter join AJ Hinch’s coaching staff.
The Diamondbacks have a strong group of core players heading into 2010.
Outfielder Justin Upton and third baseman Mark Reynolds will only get better. Ace Dan Haren looks to continue his success here in the desert. If shortstop Stephen Drew and once-promising outfielder Chris Young can bounce back from disappointing season, the team is bound to improve.
Despite last season, I remain optimistic about 2010.
It is time to put the struggles behind us and get back to enjoying Diamondbacks baseball at Chase Field.
I try to not get my hopes up too high.
Then again, these are the Diamondbacks we are talking about. Anything is possible.
