by Nick Opich
2/7/2014
Earlier today the Arizona Diamondbacks signed SP Bronson
Arroyo to a two year deal and solidified their starting rotation. Across
Twitter, there have been mixed reviews on whether this was a good signing for
Arizona but from what I have seen, Arroyo has averaged 199+ IP since 2005, has
never been on the disabled list, and brings 12 games of postseason experience
to a young Dbacks squad. And unlike Ervin Santana and Ubaldo Jimenez (the top
two rated SP free agents remaining on the market) he does not cost the
Diamondbacks their first round draft pick.
So what kind of implications does the Arroyo signing mean
for the rest of the Dbacks 25 man roster?
First, it likely signals the end to the Dbacks 2103-14
offseason. Arizona has had rumored interest in a number of free agents and
other trade candidates but after today’s deal it seems like the Dbacks have
filled all their needs.
Second, it makes it almost a guarantee that Archie Bradley
will start the year in Mobile or Reno . The 2011 first
round pick out of Oklahoma shot up prospect charts last season after he
continued his dominance of Single-A and Double-A competition. Earlier this
offseason, General Manager Kevin Towers
said Bradley will be given an opportunity to earn a spot in Arizona ’s major league rotation. With Arroyo
likely joining Corbin, Miley, McCarthy, and Cahill in the rotation, all signals
are pointing to Bradley starting the season in the minors and only reaching Arizona if there is a need
for him.
Third, it pushes Randall Delgado out of competition for the
5th spot in the rotation. Delgado joined Arizona last January in the Justin Upton
trade and since his arrival, his tenure as a Diamondback has been riddled with
uncertainty. Delgado spent 2013 pitching out of the Arizona
rotation, bullpen, and also made several starts in Reno . He was expected to compete for the
final spot in the rotation this spring but that now seems unlikely.
Looking at the rest of the Diamondbacks 25 man roster, it
looks like the final position on the roster will come down to Delgado, RP David
Hernandez, and RP Will Harris.
Delgado, 24, pitched well for the Dbacks posting a 4.26 and
1.19 WHIP in the majors but if Arizona stills envisions his future as a starter
as a major leaguer, he’ll likely start the year in Reno. Hernandez, who was
once thought of as a future closer, struggled mightily last season, posting a
4.48 ERA and giving up 31 ER in 62+ IP last season. His struggles saw him
demoted to Reno
and his status on the current roster was greatly diminished. Harris spent the
majority of last season in the Arizona
bullpen and pitched well in his 61 appearances. He posted a 2.91 ERA in 52+ IP
and had a K/BB ratio of 3.53/1.
These three guys will have until March 22, the day the
Dbacks open their season against the Dodgers in Australia , to earn their spot.
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