Is shine wearing off D-backs' great season?

Less than two weeks ago, baseball fans marveled at the fact that the Arizona Diamondbacks controlled first place in the National League West, ahead of the defending champion San Francisco Giants.

Fast forward to today, and the D-backs are in the midst of a six-game losing streak and the completion of a fairly head-scratching trade with the Toronto Blue Jays, and most fans are doubting whether the club can hold on during the stretch run.

The key to the club's success this season has relied primarily on a vastly-improved pitching staff, particularly in the bullpen. Starters Daniel Hudson and Ian Kennedy have anchored the top half of the rotation despite numerous shuffles to the bottom half. But even with the Giants being written off by some after the loss of Buster Posey, the D-backs certainly aren't out of the woods yet.

Today, GM Kevin Towers sent 2B Kelly Johnson to the Blue Jays in exchange for 2B Aaron Hill and utility infielder John McDonald. In many ways, it's a deal that doesn't make a whole lot of sense from Arizona's perspective.

Johnson enjoyed a solid 2010 season in which he hit 26 home runs, but has struggled quite a bit this season. He's eligible to be a free agent this offseason with Type A status, and many baseball writers around the web have speculated that Toronto will let him walk during the offseason for draft pick compensation.

Hill has also seen his share of struggles this season, and has options for $8 million in both 2012 and 2013, but is still seen as at least an average ML second basemen. McDonald is known for his defensive skill around the infield, but that's about the only asset he'll provide for Arizona. Using him in the field during close, late-inning contests could provide at least a bit of comfort for the club's bullpen.

The deal doesn't seem to help the club in any huge way, even though it's not meant to have long-term impact. But even if Hill can find his stroke in hitter-friendly Chase Field, it still doesn't address the club's biggest Achilles' heel, the pitching staff.

Only the Nationals' starting staff has posted a worse xFIP over the last two weeks (beginning two days before the club took over first place) than the D-backs' rotation. The offense has also scored just seven runs during the six-game losing streak. Sure, three of those losses came at the hands of the pitching staff to end all pitching staffs in Philadelphia, but the lack of production is particularly concerning without a strong pitching staff behind it. Towers could tantalize fans with a September promotion of 2011 top pick Trevor Bauer, but it's hard to imagine a guy drafted just over two months ago being the piece that locks up the division.

While some fans are calling for the promotion of Bauer, currently in Double-A Mobile, the current back of the rotation remains a major area for concern. The club lost Jason Marquis in one of the oddest injuries you'll ever see, and is now counting on rookie lefty Wade Miley, veteran lefty Joe Saunders, and wannabe lefty Josh Collmenter. Not exactly the rotation you'd expect from a divisional leader.

The D-backs have a fairly easy schedule the rest of the way, but as has been made completely obvious, it'll be the pitching that decides their fate. They'll match up with San Francisco six more times the rest of the way (once at home, once on the road) and if they can't find a way to at least win both series, I'd say the club should probably secure a good spot on the couch to watch the playoffs come October. The Giants found themselves behind in the division race at the start of last September and despite their own offensive struggles and the recent loss of Brian Wilson, one certainly can't count them out of the race by any means.

Regardless of the outcome, GM Kevin Towers at least has Arizona headed in the right direction and it won't be long before Bauer is pitching at Chase.

It may be a tough pill to swallow for D-backs fans, but this team is slowly becoming what many thought they would be from the beginning.

P.S.

As a side note, watch out for the Rockies come September when it's time for Troy Tulowitzki's annual Babe Ruth impression. Just sayin'.

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Terrelle Pryor cannot outrun his past

The former Ohio State star quarterback was ruled eligible for the 2011 NFL Supplementary draft by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Most people by now, know about Terrelle Pryor's problems with the NCAA and Ohio State.

Pryor was originally suspended for the first six games at Ohio State due to the memorabilia selling of his awards and personal possessions. After the NCAA made their decision, he decided to forego his senior year and move onto the NFL.

It has taken a while for Goodell to make the decision to allow Pryor into the NFL, but of course there is catch. For the first five games, Terrelle Pryor is not allowed to participate in practice nor a game until week 6 of the season. He may, however compete in pre-season games.

Some believe Pryor does not deserve this punishment and think the NCAA and the NFL should not merge into one seniority. I believe that Pryor deserves the six game suspension. It shows everyone that you cannot outrun your problems. That every action has its consequences.

Hopefully with all these scandals emerging in the NCAA level, this is a stepping stone on putting an end to rule breaking and unethical actions from young, promising student athletes.

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The Jurgen Klinsmann Era Has Begun

U.S.A vs Mexico
Wednesday August 10th
9PM ET (ESPN 2)

The five year flirtation between U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati and Jurgen Klinsmann finally became a relationship. It's a breath of fresh air for U.S. soccer fans who were bored of former coach Bob Bradley's generic playing style and his lack of developing youth players. In his first interview Klinsmann stated he will develop the future players of the U.S team by giving them the experience to play top international games. Only two weeks into his new job, Klinsmann has the responsibility to put 11 players out on the field on August 10th against a very powerful Mexican National Team. By looking at the 22 man roster that was announced (roster below), Youth players are evident throughout and even U.S. star Clint Dempsey along with "Mr. Up and Down" Jozy Altidore were left off the team. So what can we expect out of Klinsmann from now until the 2014 World Cup in Brazil? Let's first cool our jets!

Expectations are WAY too High

Yes, Jurgen Klinsmann is a star signing. He was an amazing player and so far has been a pretty good coach. Much like the current U.S. situation, he took over a down German National Team after the 2004 European Championship and made them into a 3rd place finish in the 2006 World Cup. He also had a so-so year coaching German powerhouse Bayern Munich. The problem is that fans expect him to do the same with the U.S right away. Unfortunately there is this thing called "talent" and the German team he took over had quiet a bit. For the U.S. we lack star power on the team. We don't have a top-50 player in the world (Landon Donovan is not even close!) to ride on in games and it's why building through the youth is so important. So to sum it all up, this team is going to take a lot of bumps and bruises in the first year, so let's all give Jurgen a break.

The Veteran Players

If your anyone 28 or older on the U.S team right now, your feeling the heat. Especially the defense. By the time we get to the 2014 World Cup, the current starting four will be gone, I'll promise you that. That is why we need players like Timothy Chandler and Tim Ream to play more games internationally. Even Donovan and Dempsey will be 32, which means player development is needed in the attack (AKA Freddy Adu). The only current veteran who still could play another eight or ten years is Everton Keeper Tim Howard. You already see guys being dropped for this Mexico match, and within the next six months Klinsmann will have a good feeling of who plays well in his system and who he thinks will play at a high level in 2014. Unlike Bob Bradley, Klinsmann will give the opportunity for anyone to step up and play well which probably makes a lot of current players uncomfortable. Two guys to keep an eye on: Brek Shea and Edgar Castillo.

The (Former) Coach's Son

Micheal Bradley is a solid player. He works hard, fights for balls, and can score goals at times. But for a center midfielder he lacks creativity and good passing skills to keep possession going. You add him with Jermaine Jones and you pretty much have two defensive midfielders. So without dad, can we see Bradley play well or effectively with Klinsmann? I think he is an important part of the team, but he needs to take a more reserved role with a more attacking midfielder, which is why a guy like Freddy Adu is intriguing. He has always had the chip on his shoulder as the "coach's son" and I believe he will step up and play at a higher level to prove the critics wrong.

Another hint Klinsmann has always talked about is the development of youth soccer from 7 to 18 year old. He would like to see more academy clubs within MLS teams as well as overseas players. But what has always been confusing for him is the "pay to play" methods used here in the U.S. meaning low income families not being able to afford to develop their children into players. Let's be honest, and look at some of worlds best teams and players. Brazil would not have five world cups without the play of Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Roberto Carlos and so many others who were from poor families. Soccer is not a rich persons sport, that's why it prospers in third world countries. The development of children from low income families (specifically Hispanics) could help bring the talent level up to par with other nations and this could be one of the bigger issues for Klinsmann to deal with.

Fans need to lower some expectations for Klinsmann who is working with a very average U.S team, if we can be patient for a year we might see the best play of soccer this country has ever witnessed. Remember it's not about the present and winning exhibition matches for this team, it's about holding that trophy in 2014. Mexico will probably win this game, but there are brighter lights ahead for the U.S. I think Jurgen would agree.

U.S Roster for Mexico Match

GOALKEEPERS (2): Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Tim Howard (Everton)

DEFENDERS (8): Carlos Bocanegra (Saint-Etienne), Edgar Castillo (Club America), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Zach Loyd (FC Dallas), Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis), Heath Pearce (Chivas USA), Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt), Jermaine Jones (Schalke 04), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Jose Torres (Pachuca)

FORWARDS (5): Freddy Adu (Benfica), Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls), DaMarcus Beasley (Puebla), Edson Buddle (FC Ingolstadt), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)

Until Next Time!

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