[翻譯]小心，有蛇！
Beware of Snakes in NL West
Diamondbacks have pieces in play to win division
A common question about the Diamondbacks is, can they catch up with the rest
of the National League West? Maybe the wrong question. A better one may be,
can the rest of the NL West keep up with the D-Backs?
對於響尾蛇來說，一個很普遍的問題是，他們能夠追得上哪些國聯西區
的其他球隊嗎？問題可能問錯了。一個更好的問題是：其他在國聯西區的
球隊可以趕得上響尾蛇嗎？
Arizona came out of the 2005 season with more momentum than wind-whipped
sagebrush. Spring Training results are usually shrugged off as insignificant,
but while building on their positive season, the Diamondbacks' Majors-best
exhibition record has kept the good vibes coming.
響尾蛇從 2005 年結束以後，以秋風掃落葉之資出現。春訓一向都不是
有什麼太大參考價值的比賽，不過當你想要一個好的球季的時候，響尾蛇
本季有史以來最好的熱身賽成績可以讓你看到光明的希望。
Last year, Bob Melvin's crew far outdid its nowhere-to-go-but-up predicament.
The 26-game improvement, to 77 wins, forced you to pay attention for two main
reasons:
. It was by far the Majors' best turnaround (the White Sox 16-game
improvement to World Series champs was second-best, and the Brewers and
Nationals ranked second in the NL with 14-game jumps).
. Every other team in the National League West regressed from 2004 to 2005;
when you jump 26 games while everyone else is going in the other direction,
you're eager to get back on track.
去年， Melvin 的球員們，超越了那些反正再爛也不能在爛下去的預測，
打了個 77 勝，比前年多了 26 場。讓你必須因為以下兩個原因而注意（
這支球隊）；
●這樣的成績是去年進步最多的（白襪第二，多了 16 場，也拿到了世界
大賽冠軍，釀酒人和國民隊多了 14 場。）
●其他在國聯西區的球隊都迴歸（掉下來）了，當你比去年多了 26 場
，而其他人都走另一個方向的時候，你會很想要回到軌道上。
And so it is with the Diamondbacks, who have spent the spring growing into a
better, more cohesive team. Arizona has foregone its two '05 leads, both in
the batter's box and on the mound, in favor of a complementary ensemble cast.
Third baseman Troy Glaus, who hit the most homers and drove in the most runs,
and right-hander Javier Vazquez, who made the most starts and blew away the
most batters, had brought Arizona instant credibility off its 111 losses in
2004. They were told, "Thanks -- and good-bye."
當然響尾蛇也是，他們在春訓的時候進步成一個更好，更團結的隊伍。
響尾蛇響尾蛇已經放棄了兩個 05 年的第一名，在打擊區和投手丘上，
而這樣是為了要讓整體陣容更互補。
三壘手 Glaus，去年打了最多支全壘打還有最多打點；還有右投 Vazquez
，他先發最多場，並且解決了最多打者。這兩個人帶領著響尾蛇離開了那
難堪的 111敗紀錄。而他們得到的是：「謝謝你們，掰掰～」。
Glaus' big bat brought speed and defense (Orlando Hudson) and a familiar
elastic arm (Miguel Batista) from Toronto. Vazquez was exchanged for a dowry
of pitchers: something old (Orlando Hernandez), something borrowed (Luis
Vizcaino), something new (high-end prospect Chris Young).
This all smacked of an agenda. Of having a plan. As opposed to winging it
year-to-year, seduced by a discordant few big names who in the short-term can
sell some tickets, but ultimately sell out a team's future.
Glaus 的大棒子從多倫多帶來的是速度和防守（ Hudson ），還有另一
個好用的手臂（Batista）。 Vazquez 換來的是一些投手：老的（ Hernandez）
借來的（ Vizcaino）還有新人（ Chris Young ）。
Jeff Moorad clearly occupied the ivory tower with some sound ideas, and new
general manager Josh Byrnes has stayed the course. The D-Backs' camp is
permeated by a sense of optimism and expectancy -- and anxiety, to begin
setting straight the consensus which doesn't seem to see a role for them in
the pennant race.
Moorad很明顯的去象牙塔找了些穩固的想法來，還有新的 GM Brynes也
唸過這些書。響尾蛇的春訓營有點樂觀和期待 ---- 還有一點焦慮，要開始
讓其他忽略他們的隊伍在起跑點上看到他們。
"We like the fact people aren't picking us," Byrnes says. "That's OK. We're
definitely feeling like this is a year in which we're going to compete."
They are saving the competition for the season. Melvin has had the springtime
luxury of a set starting lineup, freeing him to focus on the optimum batting
order. Although there have been a couple of bumps in that road.
「我們很喜歡其他對不理我們的這個事實，」Brynes說。「這樣沒關係
，我們當然會覺得今年也是一個我們必須要努力的一年。」
他們正在儲備本季的戰力。 Melvin 在春天有點奢侈的找尋新的陣容，
讓自己努力的找好的打擊順序。雖然路上已經有些石頭擋在前面。
One is worrisome. Craig Counsell's switch to shortstop -- where he played
only one inning all last season -- has been gummed up by his camp-long
absence with an ailing shoulder. Given Counsell's condition, the recent trade
of Alex Cintron was a risky, perhaps even rash, move.
有一件很糟的事。Counsell轉換到游擊區這件事 ---- 尤其是當他去年
只有在這個位置上守過一局 ---- 已經被他困擾了整個訓練營的的肩膀傷
勢而耽擱。在 Counsell 這樣的情況下，最近的那個 Cintron的交易其實
有點危險，甚至是有點太急了。
The other unexpected development, revolving around first base, is all good,
underscoring Arizona's talent lode. Conor Jackson was given that position
over the winter, possibly with the thought that Tony Clark (30 homers, 87
RBIs) had been a happy accident not likely to recur.
Jackson has certainly not disappointed, batting .414 halfway through the
Cactus League. But Clark won't go away: He was tied for the team lead with
three homers and second with 12 RBIs.
其他沒有在預期中的成長，是在一壘的位置，這樣更讓響尾蛇的深度更
加深。 Jackson在冬天被給予一壘的位置，以防去年的 Tony Clark（30
隻全壘打、 87 分打點）只是個不會在發生的快樂意外。
Jackson看起來並沒有讓人失望，在仙人掌聯盟（亞利桑納春訓的「聯
盟」）打了.414。不過 Clark也沒有跑掉，他的三隻全壘打並列第一，而
打點 12 分第二名。
And the leader with 13 RBIs, while also matching the three homers and hitting
a ridiculous .520? Chris Carter, another first baseman.
而 13 打點，一樣有三隻全壘打，並且打了個匪夷所思的 .520打擊率
是誰勒？ Chris Carter，另一個一壘手。
Any standoff between Jackson and Carter would have an interesting edge.
Carter, who led the organization with 31 homers and 115 RBIs last year, went
to Stanford, and Jackson to Cal. They may have to call in the Tree to settle
this issue.
Both can hit, with distinctions; Jackson is a high-percentage guy, and the
stocky Carter goes long. The D-Backs' corner outfielders (Luis Gonzalez,
Shawn Green) can also bang.
Jackson和 Carter的競爭會是件很有趣的事。 31發全壘打和 115分打點
領先整隊的 Carter，畢業於 Stanford；而 Jackson是 Cal.（然後這句我
看不懂，應該是個譬喻的用法？）
So Byrnes concentrated his makeover on up-the-middle defense, with Hudson,
center fielder Eric Byrnes (no relation) and catcher Johnny Estrada counted
on to support a pitching rotation that likes to put the ball in play.
Brynes專心在把中線的防守給弄好，有著 Hudson 和中外野手 Eric Brynes
（兩個人沒有親戚關係）還有捕手 Estrada在本壘前面接球。
Brandon Webb will run with his opportunity to finally be a No. 1 starter --
no limits on how far. He has worked three seasons behind Curt Schilling,
Randy Johnson and Vazquez, and is ready to work without a net.
Webb有機會最後變成我們的 ACE ---- 不知道會多久。他已經在 Schilling,
RJ , Vazquez 後面待了三年，也是該他破繭而出的時候了。
Webb will lead off for Russ Ortiz, Batista and El Duque. There is a vacancy
in the No. 5 spot, but no urgency. The Diamondbacks won't need a fifth
starter until April 16, giving Claudio Vargas, lefty Brad Halsey and Dustin
Nippert time to fight it out.
Webb後面會是 Orztiz， Batista 和 El Duque。五號現在還沒人，不
過不要慌，響尾蛇一直到 4月 16 號都不需要用到第五號。而在這之前有
Vargas, Halsey, Nippert來競爭。
The relief corps better take a deep breath now. Those aforementioned starters
-- all seven of them -- last season had one complete game in 123 combined
starts.
不過後面的中繼救援可能就要當心一點了。前面提到的那七個投手，在
去年總共 123場先發裡面，只有一場完投過。
Greg Aquino entered last season as the closer. Brandon Lyon turned out to be
the early saves leader. Both are still around -- in fact, enjoying solid
springs -- but now it is Jose Valverde's turn to open the season as the
chosen closer. Among them, they should be able to figure it out.
Aquino去年一開始是守護神。 Lyon 後來變成一開始救援點最多的。這兩個
人都還在 ---- 事實上，春訓都投的不錯 ---- 不過現在開季會是 肥弟 來當
守護神。在他們之中，應該可以找到答案。
If the end of games goes smoother than it did last season, the Diamondbacks
should break above the radar by the time May turns into June. They will be in
Chase Field, but the field may chase them.
如果比賽最後似乎會比去年好過一點，響尾蛇應該會在五月或六月的時
候，從各隊的雷達裡面冒出來。他們會在 Chase Field打球，不過 Filed
可能會 chase他們。
--
※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc)
◆ From: 203.204.129.89
Diamondbacks 近期熱門文章
PTT體育區 即時熱門文章