|
COPYRIGHT 2004 Sporting News Publishing Co.
Jerry Colangelo was removed as chief executive officer. Wally Backman was ousted almost immediately as manager. Consider them lucky in one sense: Each got to jump off the S.S. Arizona.
As bad as the Diamondbacks were last season--their 51-111 record was the worst by a National League team since 1965--next season they could be even worse.
Impossible? Perhaps. But Hall of Fame lefthander Randy Johnson is a goner. Free-agent first baseman Richie Sexson is a goner. And free-agent center fielder Steve Finley isn't coming back.
Even though Diamondbacks executives vow to compete--perhaps fearing their attendance will crater if they suggest otherwise--the truth is they have no chance.
The Diamondbacks need to start over, just as the Indians, Twins and A's did after hitting rock bottom. Their strategy should be to get the best young players they can for Johnson, use the Sexson money on impact draft picks and build a contender for 2006 or '07, when their top prospects will be ready to make an impact.
Naturally, they're planning just the opposite.
Diamondbacks general partner Ken Kendrick notes--correctly--that the team will save about $25 million if Johnson and Sexson depart, creating enviable flexibility in a buyer's market. Kendrick also notes--correctly, again that the Padres contended in the N.L. West last season after finishing with the worst record in the National League the year before.
Injuries wrecked the Diamondbacks' chances, and general manager Joe Garagiola is hellbent on improving the team's defense, which was one of...
Read the full article for free courtesy of your local library.
|
Bookmark this article
Print this article
Link to this article
Email this article
Digg It!
Add to del.icio.us
RSS
