Arizona Diamondbacks

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Vince Marotta

Gibson tells team: ‘Play the game the right way’

Diamondbacks pitcher Daniel Hudson sparked a firestorm on Monday when talking to Arizona Sports 620’s Burns and Gambo about defending his teammate Justin Upton. “If it’s a starting pitcher, remember, he’s got to hit. They either have to hit their spots, or they better expect something in return.” Tuesday, manager Kirk Gibson was asked about […]
12 years ago
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Arizona Sports

Bloomquist almost a Giant, but wants to retire a D-back

Willie Bloomquist started the offseason with the idea that he was going negotiate a new deal to stay with the Arizona Diamondbacks. But that plan nearly ended up with the veteran leaving town. “It was an interesting offseason, to say the least,” Bloomquist told Arizona Sports 620’s Burns and Gambo. “There was a lot of […]
12 years ago
Adam Green

Former Diamondback Brandon Webb just hoping for a chance

Three years ago Brandon Webb was one of the best pitchers in baseball, a Cy Young Award winner who was the ace of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ pitching staff. Webb had already won 87 games as a Major Leaguer, and at 29 still had plenty more victories in his future. Three years later, though, Webb still […]
12 years ago
Adam Green

Gonzalez on Hudson’s warning: ‘Shut your mouth, don’t say that’

Daniel Hudson had a message for anyone who deliberately hits Justin Upton with a pitch this season. “If it’s a starting pitcher, remember, he’s got to hit,” Hudson told Arizona Sports 620’s Burns and Gambo Monday. “They either have to hit their spots, or they better expect something in return.” Hitting spots was an interesting […]
12 years ago
Adam Green

New D-back Kubel not worried about his glove

Jason Kubel was signed because of his ability to hit. The Diamondbacks signed the former Minnesota Twin to a two-year, $15 million contract because of what he can do at the dish, not in the outfield. However, that doesn’t mean you should expect defense on par with, say, an Alex Cabrera or Erubiel Durazo. “I […]
12 years ago
Adam Green

D-backs expect big year from ‘Goldy’

It didn’t take long for Paul Goldschmidt to make an impact last season. In just his second big league game, he homered off of two- time NL Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants. He would hit seven more home runs in the regular season plus add a pair — including […]
12 years ago
Vince Marotta

NL West Champ Camp Notes: Monday 2/27

Diamondbacks starters Ian Kennedy, Daniel Hudson, Trevor Cahill, Joe Saunders and Josh Collmenter threw live batting practice today. Collmenter continues to work on a curveball. “We tried to have him work on that all last year,” said manager Kirk Gibson. “I want him to use that curveball more. He got a couple of big strikeouts […]
12 years ago
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Adam Green

Diamondbacks’ Hudson offers warning for those who hit Justin Upton

Diamondbacks All-Star Justin Upton was hit by 19 pitches last season, the second-most in all of baseball. “I’m not going to move,” Upton said at Fan Fest in early February. “So, I’m going to stand in the same spot again. We’ll see.” Upton is the team’s best player, so it’s little surprise he was the […]
12 years ago
Adam Green

A crowded outfield is a deep one? Kubel adds pop to Diamondbacks lineup

The Diamondbacks had a good outfield in 2011, with Justin Upton, Chris Young and Gerardo Parra covering as much ground as any trio in baseball while being fairly productive at the plate. But that didn’t stop GM Kevin Towers from looking for help, which he found in the form of former Twins outfielder Jason Kubel. […]
12 years ago
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Carter Nacke

Diamondbacks aiming for World Series again

Like every team, the Arizona Diamondbacks have their sights set on getting to the World Series. While that hope usually fades in the doldrums of summer for some teams, the D-backs will be in it to win it. At least, D-backs third baseman Ryan Roberts thinks so. “The expectations last year were to go to […]
12 years ago
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Carter Nacke

Gibson: D-backs have to buy in to be successful

As the baseball season approaches and Spring Training gets started, expectations are high for the Arizona Diamondbacks. They have been touted as the favorites to win the NL West and possibly heading to the World Series. There’s a buzz in the Valley and spring games are already selling out. But there’s one person who knows […]
12 years ago
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Arizona Sports

Camaraderie influenced Saunders’ decision to return

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Joe Saunders had an eventful offseason, to say the least. He thought he had no future with the team when GM Kevin Towers had other interests for a pitcher to take Saunders’ place. But in January, the organization wanted him back. It was a relief for the left-handed pitcher because he didn’t […]
12 years ago
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Adam Green

Gibson won’t let hype affect Diamondbacks

There is plenty of hype surrounding the Arizona Diamondbacks. Division winners last year, they improved over the offseason and have many picking them not only to repeat as NL West champs, but reach the World Series, too. And while positive attention is certainly a welcome change from what the team had the last few seasons, […]
12 years ago
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Arizona Sports

Putz is fine focusing on pitching, not hitting

With all of the time and resources the Diamondbacks have to improve during spring training, J.J. Putz expressed he has no desire to work on his hitting skills. Fortunately, quality bat handling isn’t a necessity for closers. “Back in high school my first couple years I was a catcher on the varsity team, and as […]
12 years ago
Arizona Sports

D-backs chosen to repeat as Division champs

Arizona has become the favorite among some to repeat as NL West Champions, after the Diamondbacks caught the national media’s attention last year. The latest to praise the franchise is MLB Network’s Matt Vasgersian, who spoke Thursday with Arizona Sports 620’s Burns and Gambo. “I loved what they did in the offseason. Trevor Cahill is […]
12 years ago
Arizona Sports

D-backs’ Gibson defends Kubel’s defense

The Diamondbacks signed left fielder Jason Kubel this offseason in an effort to increase their offensive depth while adding some punch from the left side of the plate. Kubel hit .273 with 12 home runs and 58 RBI for the Minnesota Twins in 2011. He should benefit from moving to Chase Field — a hitter-friendly […]
12 years ago
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Arizona Sports

Stephen Drew making progress

Diamondbacks shortstop Stephen Drew returned to the field for his third day of on-field workouts since undergoing surgery for a broken ankle last July. Drew took ground balls on Monday and Tuesday before taking Wednesday off and returning to action today. “The healing is coming along and you know pretty excited about that because there […]
12 years ago
Adam Green

Young D-backs pitchers are learning how to be big leaguers

Trevor Bauer and Tyler Skaggs are two of the D-backs’ more well known prospects, a pair of pitchers many think will reach the big league level sometime this season. Neither Bauer, 21, nor Skaggs, 20, are expected to begin the season with the Diamondbacks, but that doesn’t mean they can’t learn something while they’re with […]
12 years ago
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Vince Marotta

D-backs bracing for tougher NL West

The Arizona Diamondbacks have a target on their back, and they know it. As the team that came out of nowhere to shock their divisional foes to win the N.L. West last season, the Diamondbacks know repeating won’t be easy. “Every organization evaluates what they did last year and they try to improve upon that, […]
12 years ago
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Arizona Sports

Ian Kennedy facing high expectations after breakout year

For Ian Kennedy, high expectations abound following his breakout season with the Diamondbacks in 2011. Kennedy, who finished fourth in the National League Cy Young balloting after going 21-4 with a 2.88 ERA in 2011, wouldn’t have it any other way. “You always get those questions like, ‘well, are you going to try to do […]
12 years ago
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Adam Green

Kirk Gibson says Parra is up to the challenge

Diamondbacks Gold Glove outfielder Gerardo Parra was back at Salt River Fields Wednesday ready to work and return to his spot in left field. The only problem is somebody is already there — newcomer Jason Kubel. Nobody would have been surprised if Parra was upset about the off-season acquisition of Kubel from the Twins. After […]
12 years ago
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Adam Green

Diamondbacks rotation set up well for the future

The Arizona Diamondbacks have one of the league’s better starting rotations, with Ian Kennedy, Daniel Hudson, Trevor Cahill, Joe Saunders and Josh Collmenter rounding out the top five. But Arizona’s stable of arms doesn’t end there, and according to an ESPN Insider story, the D-backs have the next great MLB starting rotation, with Trevor Bauer, […]
12 years ago
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Arizona Sports

Gibson: Training facility perfect for work, fans

The Diamondbacks are looking to make a lot of improvements during Spring Training, and manager Kirk Gibson is glad they have the facility where they can do it all: Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. “It’s certainly an advantage for the team to be able to really live in the same location year round. The […]
12 years ago
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Arizona Sports

D-backs are doing things right, but NL West up for grabs

The positivity around the upcoming Diamondbacks season continues to reach new heights, with local and national attention, but the chance of repeating as National League West champions or going further into the playoffs is still up in the air. “I think when you look at the National League, there’s not that super power,” ESPN’s Pedro […]
12 years ago
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Adam Green

Gibson won’t let D-backs buy into their success

The Diamondbacks will not believe they will win the NL West simply by showing up this season. Kirk Gibson won’t let them. Gibson, who said “successes can be very dangerous” Sunday, expanded on that thought Tuesday as a guest on Arizona Sports 620’s Doug and Wolf. “You read a lot of good articles about yourself […]
12 years ago
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Arizona Sports

D-backs’ pitching depth is one of team’s strengths

Kirk Gibson knows one of his team’s greatest strengths is the depth of the pitching staff from top to bottom. The Diamondbacks’ starting rotation comprised of Ian Kennedy, Daniel Hudson, Trevor Cahill, Joe Saunders and Josh Collmenter is arguably one of the best in Major League Baseball. The team’s decision to bring Saunders back into […]
12 years ago
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Vince Marotta

Stephen Drew returns to action

Diamondbacks shortstop Stephen Drew took ground balls at Salt River Fields today for the first time since having ankle surgery last July. Drew has been working out non-stop since the injury but it’s the first time he’s seen any action on the baseball field. Manager Kirk Gibson was happy to see him back out there. […]
12 years ago
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Adam Green

D-backs GM Towers happy with his roster

One year ago we (the media) sat in a room at Salt River Fields and asked new manager Kirk Gibson how he was going to change the culture of the clubhouse, and we asked general manager Kevin Towers if the Diamondbacks had the talent to reach .500. This spring started out a little different. Scratch […]
12 years ago
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Arizona Sports

D-backs among top stories in Cactus League camps

It’s that time of year again when hope springs eternal for all 30 Major League Baseball teams. Pitchers and catchers reported to camp this weekend, signifying the official start to the new season. Not surprisingly, the new-look Angels have garnered the most attention in Cactus League camps, after luring the prized free agent on the […]
12 years ago
Adam Green

There’s a lot to like about this year’s Diamondbacks

There’s a lot to like about the Arizona Diamondbacks as they head into the 2012 season. They followed up a 94-win season with what most think was an excellent off-season, with some “experts” even picking the team to reach the World Series. So, it should come as no surprise that manager Kirk Gibson, on the […]
12 years ago