Photo:Gene J. Puskar/AP


When you look at the final numbers, and see an 82-80 record, and a second place finish 2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers, you’d immediately consider 2008 a success for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Not so quick.

Bob Melvin’s team led the division from April 6th to September 5th. That’s 136 games, or 84% of the season. A ill-timed swoon by the starting rotation coupled with a hot streak from the Los Angeles Dodgers equaled defeat for Arizona. I’ve said for a young team a year removed from a NLCS appearance, the Diamondbacks face a pretty substantial rebuilding process heading into ‘09.

The following players are free agents:

• 1B Tony Clark
• 2B David Eckstein
• 2B Orlando Hudson
• OF Adam Dunn
• SP Randy Johnson
• RP Juan Cruz
• RP Brandon Lyon

Clark, acquired from San Diego in July, managed to get only 63 at-bats in a Diamondbacks’ uniform, and only hit .206 with 2 homers and 13 rbis after the deal. He is a steadying force in a locker room, especially on a young team such as the Diamondbacks, but it is doubtful he’ll be back again in ‘09.

Eckstein was acquired from Toronto after the waiver wire deadline, and was unable to duplicate the production he posted with the Blue Jays. He hit only .219 with 4 rbis after the trade, and three of those runs batted in were in his first two games as a Diamondback. His on-base percentage was 53 points lower than what it was in Toronto. Again it’s doubtful if he’ll be back.

Orlando Hudson is another story altogether. Hudson, who for the second straight season had to sit out with an injury down the stretch, has been, in many ways, the heart and soul of this team since he arrived in 2006. He is arguably the best defensive second baseman in baseball, and his batting average has climbed each season he’s been here. His contract has been a frequent topic of discussion, and it’s basically a foregone conclusion that Hudson will move on in free agency this offseason. But why? He’s won two Gold Gloves as a D-Back, and is the most attractive free agent second baseman available (not to mention, one of the youngest). All accounts indicate that Hudson will command a salary of around $7 million. If the Diamondbacks were wise, they’d try to re-sign Hudson.

Adam Dunn was brought in for the stretch run, and was incredible at getting on base. Dunn drew 42 walks in 44 games, which actually ranked him 6th on the team despite joining the Diamondbacks in late July. His on base percentage was a whopping .417, and he is one of only 8 players in Major League history to have hit 40 or more homers in 5 consecutive seasons. The question is, does Adam Dunn fit with this team. He’s not strong defensively, and will command big bucks in the offseason- maybe more money than the D-Backs have to offer. It would be interesting to see what the Donkey could do in a full year in the desert though.

The most intriguing scenario involves 45-year old Randy Johnson. Johnson came into 2008 needing 16 wins to reach 300 for his career. Most people feel that if that milestone was reached this season (and with any help, it should have been) that Johnson would have retired. He won 11 games, and pitched very well in the number 3 starter spot for most of the season, as evidenced by his sub-4.00 ERA. He added some punctuation to the season by pitching a complete game 2-hitter in the season finale on Sunday. He’s 5 wins away from reaching 300, he’s had the best years of his career in an Arizona uniform, and he’s proven he can still pitch, even after two back surgeries. Randy Johnson should be brought back, if for no other reason, for what he’s given this franchise.

Closer Brandon Lyon stumbled down the stretch, and basically pitched himself out of town. The other free agent, reliever Juan Cruz, battled through injuries and was solid again. Cruz was maybe the steadiest of the bullpen guys and should be brought back.

But there are other questions concerning this team…is Conor Jackson a left fielder or first baseman? Does he have enough power to play either position? What do you do with Eric Byrnes? Does Mark Reynolds have any confidence left after committing 35 errors and striking out a record 204 times? Can Reynolds move to second? Can Miguel Montero play third? If Reynolds moves to second, and Montero to third, is this the worst defensive infield in baseball history? Do the Diamondbacks make a play for Mark Teixeria? Is Chris Young closer to Ken Griffey Jr. or Mike Cameron? Will Justin Upton become the star player that everyone predicted him to be? Can Stephen Drew put up another All-Star caliber season? Is Rick Schu the hitting coach in ‘09? Is Bob Melvin the manager in ‘09. Is Chad Qualls your closer next season after finishing ‘08 strong? Will Max Scherzer be ready to take over the number 4 or 5 starter role full-time next season?

Like I said, lots of questions. And the next 5 months will provide the answers.

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