ESPN Insider says D-backs ‘better tinker’

Nobody will deny that 2011 was a magical season for the
Arizona Diamondbacks.

After finishing in the cellar of the National League West
two straight years, the D-backs turned things around in
’11 behind skipper Kirk Gibson, winning a division title
and coming within a run of advancing to the National
League Championship Series.

And nobody will deny that the D-backs can’t afford to
stand pat with their roster if they want to repeat as
rulers of the NL West roost in 2012.

ESPN baseball insider Tim Kurkjian agrees. Kurkjian
joined “Burns and Gambo” on Arizona Sports 620 on Tuesday
for their weekly chat, and talked about the Diamondbacks’
future.

“They need another bat,” Kurkjian said. “I know they
finished fourth in the league in runs scored, but they’re
going to have to get a little help for Justin Upton.”

Kurkjian also pointed to his research on teams, like the
Diamondbacks, who make a huge jump in victories over the
course of one season, and how difficult it is to repeat
that success with largely the same roster.

“If you’re going to be as good a team, you better tinker,”
he said. “You don’t have to go get Prince Fielder to play
first base, but you better add some pieces here or there.”

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