Arizona Diamondbacks

Arizona, with a bunch of no-name youngsters, managed to quietly win more games than any National League team in 2007. This off-season, they made a great move by adding Dan Haren to their rotation (Randy Johnson coming back is another good addition), but made a nonsensical one - in my opinion - by trading away the league leader in saves.

Lineup:

• CF Chris Young
• SS Orlando Hudson
• 1B Conor Jackson
• LF Eric Byrnes
• 3B Mark Reynolds
• RF Justin Upton
• SS Stephen Drew
• C Chris Snyder

Rotation:

• Brandon Webb
• Dan Haren
• Randy Johnson
• Doug Davis
• Micah Owings

Closer: Brandon Lyon

Thoughts...

I really can't understand why they moved Valverde. Had they moved him to acquire Haren, it would make more sense, but they didn't. Hopefully Lyon can pick up the slack, but I'm not drafting him to save 47 this year.

Webb is absolutely a stud, in the class of Peavy and Santana. I've seen Haren called a low-end Number 1. I'd draft him as a 2 if I could, but he ought to be solid (recall this discussion of Johan Santana and the effect of a move to the NL). Randy Johnson appears to be healthy, but draft him expecting a DL stint at some point this year. 

This team is a keeper owner's dream. Justin Upton has been called many things, generally involving the words "talented" and "wow." There will be growing pains this season, but he's definitely worth owning in keeper leagues. Stephen Drew should improve this year, and I like him if you miss the top 3 at shortstop. Also, Conor Jackson is the forgotten first basemen. If you have a power-hitting team but need an average boost, Jackson is a guy going undrafted who could challenge for a batting title this year. Keep that in mind in Round 23.

Eric Byrnes has steadily improved since finding a home in Arizona. 25/25 is a reasonable expectation, and even though I don't expect him to steal 50 bases again this year, he's a producer in many categories. Chris B. Young could also go 25/25, but he needs to bring the batting average up to be a major contributer. Still, these guys that contribute in many categories are always valuable in fantasy.

The youth movement is on, but the team isn't sacrificing any wins with this young lineup. Be prepared to grow with some of these guys, but the ceiling is high for everyone on this roster.