Cody Ross feels no pressure to fill Justin Upton’s spot

Feb 14, 2013, 9:34 PM | Updated: 9:39 pm

New Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Cody Ross feels right at home in Arizona because his permanent residence is in Scottsdale, but the uniform he’s putting on is a bit different for him. Ross agreed to a three-year-deal worth $26 million back in December after playing last season with the Red Sox.

When Ross signed there was additional speculation that one of Arizona’s outfielders would need to be traded because of the logjam at that position, with Justin Upton, Jason Kubel, Gerardo Parra, Adam Eaton and A.J. Pollock vying for just three spots.

Upton was eventually the player that got moved in a trade with Atlanta. Thursday, at Salt River Fields, Ross was asked if he “feels any pressure filling Upton’s shoes” in right field.

“No, no, no. No, absolutely not. You know Justin is a great player. He’s one of the top players in the big leagues but I’ve been around for a long time,” said the 32-year-old Ross. “I don’t feel the pressure to come in and step in and replace guys. Maybe when I was 20 but now I’m 32, come on man.”

Ross has said when he signed with the D-backs they did not tell him that a trade of existing outfielder would be made. He also has no idea which of the outfield positions he’ll be playing on a daily basis.

“They didn’t tell me where I’m going to play, what I’m going to play or where I’m going to hit. They just told me to be ready and I told them anywhere they need me to be, I’ll be,” said Ross. “When they traded Justin they didn’t say, ‘hey you’re our right fielder.’ Chances are I’ll probably play there a lot but I told them I can play center, I can play left. Whatever they need me to do.”

That’s what makes Ross such a valuable guy on the field and in the clubhouse. His approach to the game is that whatever is best for the team that day, that is what he’s willing to do.

“I think that’s the mentality of our whole team,” he said. “We got a lot of versatile guys that can mix in and use in certain spots to help keep guys fresh and help keep guys healthy.”

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson watches a spring training baseball workout Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson watches a spring training baseball workout Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz.(AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks' Nick Ahmed takes a throw during an unofficial spring training baseball workout Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, in Scottsdale. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks' Eric Chavez hits during an unofficial spring training baseball workout Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks' Willie Bloomquist fields a ground ball during an unofficial spring training baseball workout Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt tosses the baseball during an unofficial spring training baseball workout Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks' Chris Owings makes a throw during an unofficial spring training baseball workout Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks stretch at a spring training baseball workout on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Fans watch as the Arizona Diamondbacks run at a spring training baseball workout on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks' Brandon McCarthy stretches at a spring training baseball workout on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson, right, talks with Tony Sipp during a spring training baseball workout on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks stretch at a spring training baseball workout on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks stretch at a spring training baseball workout on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Wil Nieves stretches at a spring training baseball workout on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Matt Davidson, left, awaits a throw while Martin Prado watches during a spring training baseball workout on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Arizona Diamondbacks' Martin Prado throws during a spring training baseball workout on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks' Brandon McCarthy throws during a spring training baseball workout on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks' Aaron Hill makes a catch at second base during a spring training baseball workout on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks' Trevor Cahill bunts during a spring training baseball workout on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks' Willie Bloomquist makes a throw during a baseball spring training workout Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Arizona Diamondbacks' Matt Davidson takes batting practice in a cage during a spring training baseball workout Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013 in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) A basket of baseballs are seen as Arizona Diamondbacks players take batting practice in a cage during a spring training baseball workout Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013 in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Arizona Diamondbacks

Starting pitcher Merrill Kelly #29 of Team USA throws a warm-up pitch during the first inning of th...
Alex Weiner

D-backs’ Merrill Kelly set up to start World Baseball Classic final for Team USA

Team USA "looks like" it will turn to Diamondbacks starting pitcher Merrill Kelly in the World Baseball Classic final on Tuesday. 
1 day ago
Paul Goldschmidt #46 of Team USA celebrates with Moookie Betts #3 after hitting a two-run home run ...
Associated Press

Turner, Goldschmidt lead Team USA to WBC final with win vs. Cuba

Defending champion United States romped over Cuba 14-2 on Sunday night to reach its second straight World Baseball Classic final.
1 day ago
David Peralta #6 and Eduardo Escobar #5 of the Arizona Diamondbacks celebrate after scoring on a si...
Haboob Blog

Former D-backs OF David Peralta rekindles Eduardo Escobar’s cat fear with Team Venezuela

David Peralta had some fun with Eduardo Escobar's fear of cats when they were teammates with the Diamondbacks.
1 day ago
Brandon Pfaadt #90 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches in the second inning against the Cincinnati ...
Kellan Olson

Diamondbacks reassign Brandon Pfaadt, send Seth Beer to Triple-A

The Arizona Diamondbacks made 11 roster moves on Sunday that cut their spring training roster down to 40.
1 day ago
United States' Mookie Betts (3) is congratulated by teammates after he scored on a throwing error b...
Associated Press

Team USA comes from behind to defeat Venezuela, advance to WBC semis

Trea Turner hit a grand slam in the eighth inning that lifted the United States over Venezuela 9-7 Saturday night and into the WBC semis.
2 days ago
Manager Torey Lovullo #17 of the Arizona Diamondbacks speaks to the media during the Spring Trainin...
Alex Weiner

Lovullo gives example on how D-backs monitor players at World Baseball Classic

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo is watching every single play in the World Baseball Classic to monitor his players.
1 day ago
Cody Ross feels no pressure to fill Justin Upton’s spot