Competition the prevailing theme for Arizona Diamondbacks this spring
Feb 26, 2015, 1:32 AM | Updated: 4:59 pm
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — With the Arizona Diamondbacks, much is unsettled.
Only three position players have spots locked up, the starting rotation is but two-fifths filled, and little is settled in the bullpen aside from the closer (Addison Reed) and right- and left-handed setup men (Brad Ziegler and Oliver Perez, respectively).
In other words, trying to project how this team will look on Opening Day is nearly impossible — and that’s just how first-year manager Chip Hale likes it.
“There’s nothing bad that comes out of competition,” Hale said Wednesday. “Other teams that have pretty set lineups right now, they have a different issue to deal with. Our issue is let ’em all go play and let the best man open April 6.
“So, it’s a fun way to do it, and these guys are going to get after it.”
Paul Goldschmidt is secure in his position at first base. Center fielder A.J. Pollock and right fielder Mark Trumbo know they’ll be regulars in the lineup. And when it comes to the projected rotation, the names of right-handers Josh Collmenter and Jeremy Hellickson appear written in ink.
Little else is known.
Before the D-backs’ first full-squad workout, Hale conveyed the message that there are positions to be won this spring.
“I just spoke from the heart,” he said, reminding his players that he also had to compete for playing time during his seven seasons in the majors.
“It was fun. It was good to get this thing started and good to let them hear me.”
Hale became emotional when he touched upon his beliefs about how the game should be played and the direction of the team, both this season and beyond.
“Well, you start talking and you start getting into things,” he said, “you start … reminiscing about your own career and when I was coaching and just, when you start talking about family, you start to think about your own family — just try to let them understand that that’s a very important thing in this organization and to me.”
While Hale had already talked to most of players individually, this was the first time he addressed them as a group.
“It was just an honor to be up in front of this group, out there as a manager with the Arizona Diamondbacks,” he said. “It’s a special time for me.”