The Arizona Diamondbacks’ Crowded Outfield
By Cody Fincher
Going into the 2015 season, the Arizona Diamondbacks have a crowded outfield. This issue is becoming more frequent among MLB teams and is not easily resolved.
A prime example is that of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ outfield. Their outfield was full of players that demand playing time and that led to them trading superstar Matt Kemp. While the D-Backs’ outfield might not contain as much talent as the Dodgers’, it is crowded nonetheless.
As of today, the outfielders that could make the major league roster include: Mark Trumbo, A.J. Pollock, Ender Inciarte, Cody Ross, David Peralta, and newly signed Cuban star Yasmany Tomas. All of these players can demand playing time during this upcoming season, whether it’s due to playing ability or how much money the team owes a player.
Ross is likely to be a guy that secures a roster spot because he is owed $8.5 million in 2015. Ross only appeared in 83 games in 2014 hitting .252 with only two home runs and 15 RBI. The D-Backs definitely have not got what they expected out of Ross after signing him to a three-year deal after his successful 2012 season in Boston where he hit 22 home runs and had 81 RBI. It would be hard for D-Backs management to justify paying a player $8.5 million to be in the minor leagues.
Peralta and Inciarte both came up to the big leagues last year and had a lot of success. Peralta is a guy I would look to start somewhere in the outfield. In 88 games, Peralta hit .286 with eight home runs and 36 RBI. But the statistic that stands out is that Peralta was able to hit nine triples in a relatively short time in the big leagues.
Aug 6, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder David Peralta against the Kansas City Royals at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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Inciarte came up and had success, but mostly on the defensive side. This is why I believe that Inciarte will be the one out of all these outfielders to end up being in Triple-A; because of the amount of money he makes, the D-Backs can afford to keep him in the minors until they need him.
Trumbo, Pollock, and Tomas are the three players that will be guaranteed spots on the field. Before his injury, Pollock was playing great baseball. He was hitting .302 with seven home runs and 24 RBI. Trumbo was having a good year before a foot injury sidelined him for a long period of time. His power is what is valuable to the D-Backs and they are willing to sacrifice defensive ability to get him in the lineup every day.
What can make this whole situation work is what the D-Backs are planning to do with Tomas. Tomas worked out at third base for every team before he was signed by Arizona, and the D-Backs have made it clear that they will try to test his ability at third as well. If Tomas is able to play at third base every day, this will slightly clear up the crowded outfield. It will also let new manager Chip Hale pencil in a powerhouse 3-4-5 of Goldschmidt, Trumbo, and Tomas easily every day.
Of course, the D-Backs could possibly make another move this offseason, but this situation should be worked out during spring training.