Arizona Diamondbacks: Pitching Will Have to Compensate for Poor Lineup

Josh Byrnes has assembled a good team this year, but it will take Randy Johnson pitching well for a half season, and Brandon Webb and Dan Haren becoming the best one-two punch in baseball for this team to repeat as NL West champs.

The D-Backs have no lineup.

Eric Byrnes is their best hitter, and he had 21 HRs and a .286 average.

They've spent a lot on pitching, and could deal a Micah Owings or a Jarrod Parker for a better hitter.

At short, Stephen Drew laid an egg last year, batting .238 with 12 home runs and a dismal .313 OBP; while he's going to be given a lot of leeway at shortstop, a slow start could lose him some at-bats to the up-and-coming Emilio Bonafacio, or veterans Chris Burke and Augie Ojeda.

Mark Reynolds (3B) has been tabbed a "wait-and-see", while first baseman Conor Jackson has not developed the necessary power to be counted on in this lineup.

Orlando Hudson may be a bit shaky after surgery on his thumb, but he will probably perform at his Gold-Glove standards.

Chris Young hit just .237 with his 32 HRs making him seem much better than he really is. Simply, he strikes out too much to bat anywhere but fourth.

Justin Upton has tremendous upside but he hasn't proven anything worthwhile in the bigs yet.

Starting pitching is aplenty in Phoenix, as Brandon Webb and Dan Haren are easily two of the best pitchers in baseball—I project 17-win seasons for both.

If Randy Johnson's back holds up until June and he pitches at least well until then, he will provide the D-Backs with what they need to repeat in this tough division.

Also, Doug Davis has to be an innings eater, and Owings has to have a winning record. All of this is possible considering the pitching prowess of Arizona.

Brandon Lyon is a setup man, and they can't expect Valverde-like numbers in his first season. There is no clear-cut proven bullpen enforcer. They need an overpowering, lights-out guy to shore up the 'pen.

Jamie Walker is the closest to that, but he's not consistent or proven enough. Edgar Gonzalez logged 100 IP last year, so I look for him to nab the LRP job. I wouldn't feel safe with him trying to hold a lead.

But otherwise, the D-Backs 'pen will be OK. I foresee a trading deadline acquisition of a setup/closer.