Mismanaged

In light of the Dan Haren trade, I found the need to drop a few words on the current state of the Arizona Diamondbacks. It seems as if mismanagement is the name of the game for this team. Dan Haren’s exit interview was appallingly clarifying regarding the organization’s outlook. Haren’s time ended having played for three different managers since coming here in 2008. The team progressively got worse during that time. Remember, he was traded to the Diamondbacks the offseason on the heels of a surprising season that saw the Diamondbacks win the National League West. That was followed by an outstanding month of April, which was so great it took the entire season for the Dodgers to finally catch them after trading for slugger Manny Ramirez. That disappointment led to another, equally disappointing 2009 that included the mismanagement of century (more on that to come later).

Then of course we get to this season. Haren continued his own downward trend from the second half of last season. He finished his time in the National league with a 7-8 record and 4.60 ERA. Those are not good numbers. Especially for a guy who is supposed to be considered the ace of the rotation. That, coupled with potentially the worst bullpen in MLB history and a roster leading the Majors in strikeouts has brought this team to a new low given the expectations coming into the season.

How did this happen? It’s just a downward spiral. When asked about the team’s losing ways, he said (courtesy of azcentral.com), “It wears on everybody, me included. The last game I won, I couldn’t even tell you. It’s been about a month. It’s been tough going. When you’re not winning, it’s not fun.”

The most telling part of the interview were Haren’s comments about his future with the Angels organization, “Being able to be near family and going to a ballclub that’s dedicated to winning, not just this year and a lot of years, I’m very excited for the opportunity.”

If that’s not a slap in the management’s face, I don’t know what is. It’s very rare that we see an athlete be so candid and casual about leaving a team. There were not many clichés in Haren’s words and we can undoubtedly imagine that this is the same sentiment throughout the rest of the team. Brandon Webb must have noticed this trend at the beginning of last year, that’s why he got out while the going was still good. Say what? Brandon Webb is still on the roster?

Yes, Brandon Webb still is on the roster after the decision makers decided to pick up his option worth $8.5 million, even though he hasn’t pitched since the four innings he put up on opening day 2009. This is easily the worst mismanagement of an injury that I’ve ever seen. The thing is there was never really a significant, sustained injury. It started as just stiffness in his shoulder and never really got better, regardless of treatment. And really, I don’t think anyone in the organization really knew what was going on this entire time. How can a player miss two entire seasons with stiffness!?! Here are a few headlines over the past two seasons from the Arizona Republic:

April 8, 2009: “Webb will miss start vs. Dodgers”

April 19, 2009: “Webb shows no effects of shoulder injury”

April 24, 2009: “Webb shut down with recurrence of injury”

May 25, 2009: “D-Backs need Webb, but won’t rush return”

June 19, 2009: “Webb could require surgery on shoulder”

June 29, 2009: “Webb’s future in doubt over shoulder”

August 2, 2009: “Webb to undergo shoulder surgery”

January 21, 2010: “Brandon Webb playing catch as part of recovery”

February 17, 2010: “Opening day conundrum: Webb or Haren”

March 5, 2010: “Brandon Webb may start season on DL

April 1, 2010: “Arizona Diamondback’s Brandon Webb has nothing structurally wrong”

May 19, 2010: “Brandon Webb to change arm slot”

June 5, 2010: “Brandon Webb close to throwing off mound”

This has gone on for over a year and a half and there is still no end in sight. My predictions, Webb signs with another team this offseason to bargain-basement contract compared to what he would have gotten after 2008. He rids himself of the negative vibes of the organization and goes back to his normal self while winning a Cy Young for the 2011 World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers. That would complete the downward spiral this team is in and officially send me over the edge. But look on the bright side, at least we’re not Pirates fans.