Ok, it’s perhaps a little too early for Thanksgiving. But I’m pretty sure I saw a pumpkin spice latte advert from Starbucks the other day, so that’s good enough for me. As I write this, the final innings are being played out in San Diego, the D-backs having been eliminated in the 162nd and last game of the regular season. There will be plenty of time to chew over what that means for the 2027 campaign – if that happens, and in what form. But I just wanted to lay out some the things I’ve enjoyed about
this year, both about the team and baseball generally, in no particular order.
- Gabriel Moreno winning the batting title. The first Diamondback ever to do so, squeaking out a victory by a few points in the fourth decimal place. But he became one of the very best catchers in the major leagues this year.
- Corbin Carroll rounding second and heading for third. Is the triple the most exciting play in baseball? I think there’s an argument to be had for that. And if so, we had the most exciting team, with 42 triples. Carroll became the franchise leader there. Think there will be more to come.
- ABS challenges. I’ve absolutely loved seeing this in action. It has had absolutely no noticeable impact on pace of play, but has given both sides a way to appeal the worst umpiring blunders. Anything that helps avoid games being decided by human error is fine by me.
- Justin Martinez throwing 104 mph. Yeah, I know it didn’t exactly go as intended this afternoon. But seeing him come back from surgery and throw franchise record fastball after fastball? I imagine he’s our closer in waiting for 2027. And, somewhat related…
- A bullpen that didn’t suck. The metrics were all over the place. 15th (excluding today) in ERA. But 4th by Win Probability. However, compared to previous years, even mediocrity tasted sweet. Simply not being concerned whenever the starting pitcher left was a huge improvement.
- Consider the alternative, #1. Narrowly missing out on the post-season three years in a row hurts. But it’s a damn sight better than being effectively eliminated by the All-Star break. Most MLB teams this year would love to be in Arizona’s shoes, and have had a meaningful Game #162.
- Consider the alternative, #2. Over the past week, I’ve become increasingly aware that we don’t know when the next MLB games will take place. While I think a lockout is in the best interests of the game, to achieve actual competitive balance, I don’t have to like it. All baseball is better than no baseball.
- The resurrection of Eduardo Rodriguez. To be honest, I’d written him off as another bad contract after 2024-25. But he proved me wrong again, stepping up to become the ace. He, Brandon Pfaadt and – hopefully – Corbin Burnes aren’t a bad foundation for our next rotation.
- The youth movement. Of all the competing teams in the NL, only the Brewers have a younger average age. The likes of Jose Fernandez, Jordan Lawlar, Ryan Waldschmidt and Martinez, should all be solid contributors for years. Watching players develop > buying in free agents.
- The SnakePit family. It’s likely the case that if it hadn’t been for the site, my interest in baseball would have died after COVID. The SnakePit has now lasted longer than any job, house or virtually anything else in my life, except my marriage. It’s you people that keep me here. Damn you all to hell. 🙂
Many thanks to all the writers, readers, commenters and lurkers for keeping this place going – without you, this would be nothing but a website placeholder! We’ll be keeping things very busy in what promises to be an interesting off-season for the team, so keep checking back often.
