Going (Diamond)back to the World Series

[Dmaz1101]

Firstly, I would like to apologize for that really bad play on words in the title. Ill try to not do that again.

As you can probably tell, I am going to try and make it to (and hopefully win) the World Series using the Arizona Diamondbacks. The GM that I will be using is John Vuch, who is the current Farm Director of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Most of my settings are the default. Changes are the player/coach ratings scale has been changed to 1-100 and the trade difficulty has been changed to 'hard' and 'favors prospects'.

So without further adieu, let's get started!

[Dmaz1101]

Breaking News: Towers Out as Vuch Named New GM of Arizona

Big changes are coming to the Arizona Diamondbacks as John Vuch has been named the 6th General Manager in franchise history. They are hoping to bring the winning tradition of the St. Louis Cardinals to the Diamondbacks after back to back seasons of playing .500 baseball and falling below expectations.

John Vuch is in his 26th season in Baseball Operations. He held the title of Farm Director for the St. Louis Cardinals from September 2010 through the 2013 seasons, and during that time oversaw Championships for three teams [Quad Cities (A) & Johnson City (R) in 2011, Springfield (AA) in 2012]. The championships in Quad Cities and Johnson City in 2011, marked the first time since 1994 multiple Cardinals minor league affiliates won league championships, and the 2012 Springfield Cardinals team was recognized as the Minor League Team of the Year.

Under his leadership, the 2010 Cardinals Minor League system had the highest combined winning percentage of any Major League organization. The Cardinals were recognized as the 2011 Organization of the Year by Baseball America and heading into 2014, the Cardinals organization has been recognized for its scouting and player development by Baseball America, MLB.com and ESPN.com.

As Director of Minor League Operations, a position he held for more than three years from 2007-2010, Vuch was responsible for the daily operations of the Cardinals' farm system and is involved with the club's minor league player personnel decisions. Vuch has worked several years in the player development department, serving as the main contact for Cardinals' minor league players. He began working for the Cardinals as a "runner" in 1979 and worked in the Sales Department from 1985 to 1987.

John Vuch met with reporters as he began his tenure as the new GM of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

"To be frank," he admitted, "I expect a tough haul these first few months. I've got to assess this club from the ground up-- the whole organization. Until I do that, this club is very vulnerable."

Vuch urged the media to have restraint, as it will take some time to implement his strategy, and develop a perennial winner.

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Arizona Signs Veteran Centerfielder
4/2/14

The Arizona Diamondbacks have officially announced the signing of CF Andres Torres.

"I think he is a good veteran presence for some of these young guys on our team." GM John Vuch told reporters at the press conference. "He is a very good fielder and we look forward to him helping us win ballgames."

Torres last played for the San Francisco Giants in 2013, batting .250/.302/.342 with 2 homeruns and 21 RBIs in 300 plate appearances. It is not known yet what his role is on the team, but it is believed that he will be splitting time in center with A.J. Pollock or becoming a 4th outfielder. To make room for him on the 25 man roster, the Diamondbacks have sent RF Roger Kieschnick down to AAA.

Contract details have not been released, but it is believed to be on a one year deal for around $750,000.

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Arizona Inks Star RF to an Extension
4/6/14

Just days after signing veteran centerfielder Andres Torres, the Arizona Diamondback have announced a five year extension to one of their younger talents, Gerardo Parra.

The deal is said to be a 5-year deal worth around $35,000,000.

GM John Vuch was able to quickly comment on the signing, saying "Parra is a big part of our future, An extending him was something I really wanted to do, And to get it done so early in the season makes it that much better."

Parra was also able to comment, expressing his excitement, "This is amazing! I love this city and this team. It really felt good to see how much Mr. Vuch wanted to sign me. That made me feel good knowing this team wanted to keep me that much. It definitely helped with reaching a deal."

[Dmaz1101]

Just realized I havent put up the Starting lineups and rotation, so here they are:

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with DH:

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Pitching rotation and Bullpen:

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Diamondbacks sign star CL Hanrahan
4/10/14

The Arizona Diamondbacks have made another free agent signing, this time looking for late inning help.
They sign former closer Joel Hanrahan to a 3-year deal reportedly worth one million per year.

Asked if this meant the end to Addison Reed's tenure as the teams closer as he has a 4.50 ERA throughout the first two weeks of the season, GM John Vuch told the reporter, "We have told our relievers that the closers job is an open competition. With that being said, Reed has done a fine job there and I dont see him leaving that role just yet."

[Dmaz1101]

Arizona places SP Brandon McCarthy on DL
4/25/14

Starting pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Brandon McCarthy, has been put on the 15-day Disabled List. He was taken out of the game after one inning due to discomfort in his shoulder.

To replace McCarthy in the rotation, the Diamondbacks have called up from Triple A, 25 year old starting pitcher Alex Sanabia. Sanabia last pitched in the Major leagues in 2013 for the Miami Marlins, starting 10 games, going 3-7 with a 4.88 ERA in 55.1 innings pitched.

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After a month into the season, the Diamondbacks are currently in first place of the NL West with a 17-14 record.

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Diamondbacks swap Hill for Baltimore's Hardy
5/1/14

After shopping Aaron Hill since the beginning of the season, the Diamondbacks complete the deal to send Aaron hill to the Orioles for JJ Hardy. This move gives the Diamondbacks Gold Glove defense at short and should give them some pop from the SS position. It also allows them to no longer have to be held down by Hill's contract after this season and possibly next year have the middle infield consist of Chris Owings and Didi Gregorious.

For Baltimore, this move allows them to move Machado into his natural position at shortstop and gives them a solid 2B that can hit.

[Dmaz1101]

Hudson Comes of DL; Sanabia Sent Down
5/5/14

Daniel Hudson has been finally cleared to play and the Diamondbacks are wasting no time in getting him back into the lineup as he is scheduled to start on the 6th. To make room for Hudson, the Diamondbacks have sent down Alex Sanabia, who was called up to replace Brandon McCarthy. While in the big leagues this year, Sanabia was less than stellar, going 0-2 with a 6.17 ERA in 11.2 innings. Arizona hopes that Hudson can improve a starting rotation that is currently 14th in the league with a combined ERA of 5.20.

[Dmaz1101]

Arizona takes McCarthy off DL, Release Arroyo
5/10/14

With McCarthy finally healthy enough to pitch, and Arroyo not pitching to expectations, the Diamondbacks have released SP Bronson Arroyo and placed SP Brandon McCarthy on the 25 man roster.

This move leaves many confused, because of the fact that Arizona had just signed him at the beginning of this year and now still owe him $16,000,000, and also because Trevor Cahill has pitched much worse so far this season (4.62 ERA vs 6.18 ERA) and still has all 3 minor league options remaining.

General Manager John Vuch noted this saying, "I definately considered it(sending Cahill to AAA), but I just dont feel like that would be the best option atthis point in his career to send him down."

Bronson Arroyo was also asked to comment and simply put, "It is disappointing. I was working hard, I was feeling good, but I also understand it is a buisness and I just wasnt getting the results." He also went on to thank Arizona for the time there and thank the fans for the support they showed.

[Dmaz1101]

Arizona Signs Pair of Pitchers
5/11/14

The Diamondbacks have agreed on minor league deals with pitchers Jason Marquis and Brett Myers.
Marquis last pitched for San Diego in 2013 going 9-5 with a 4.08 ERA in 117 2/3 innings.
Myers also pitched in 2013 for the Cleveland Indians going 0-3 with a n 8.02 ERA in 21 1/3 innings.

Both pitchers provide veteran depth and both are ground ball pitchers, which should be useful with Chase field known as being a hitters park.

[Dmaz1101]

Arizona Calls up Myers; Sends Down Delgado
5/14/14

Once again trying to improve this terrible rotation that the Diamondbacks have, General Manager calls up Brett Myers. Myers pitched on the day he was signed and went 6.2 innings giving up 2 earned runs while striking out 5 batters and not giving up a walk.

[Dmaz1101]

current standings after May