The Arizona Diamondbacks won 94 games last season,
claiming the NL West crown and pushing the Milwaukee
Brewers to five games in the NLDS.

With virtually the entire team returning as well as the
additions of Trevor Cahill, Craig Breslow, Takashi Saito
and Jason Kubel — as well as the development of young
players and prospects — it stands to reason that the team
may actually be better in 2012 than it was in 2011.

So, would that make them the best team in the National
League?

“To me, they’re one of the top two National League teams,”
ESPN MLB analyst Buster Olney told Arizona Sports 620’s
Burns and Gambo Wednesday. “I love what the Diamondbacks
did. I know there was a lot of debate, was Kubel a
necessary signing; I love the depth they have.”

Olney said the perception around baseball when it comes to
the D-backs has changed dramatically over the last year,
as general managers across the league have nothing but
good things to say about the team.

“They talk about what a different place the Diamondbacks
are in now compared to a year ago with the depth in their
pitching staff, the depth in their lineup, the experience
on that team,” Olney said. “That to me right there, that’s
a team that can get definitely through the National League
and play in the World Series.”

With depth, talent, a strong farm system and the reining
National League Manager of the Year, the D-backs certainly
have the look of a team that is ready to make a
championship run.

It will begin on February 19, when pitchers and catchers
report.

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