The Arizona Diamondbacks made sure to lock up their latest acquisition, Martin Prado, as they signed the left fielder to a four-year, $40 million deal on Thursday. This ensures that the Venezuelian player remains in the desert for the next few seasons and more importantly, the Diamondbacks avoid any arbitration issues.
Prado is arguibly the most effective versatile player in the game. He is a jack of all trades. When he came up with the Atlanta Braves, he played second base. Prado then took over third base duties when Chipper Jones was out for the season in 2010.
Recently, Prado became the everyday left-fielder for the Braves and not only was he gunning guys out on the basepads, his bat was making a lot of noise at the top of the lineup.
He's not the prototypical speedy leadoff hitter, but nonetheless, before the Braves had Michael Bourn for a season and a half, Prado was handling those duties in Atlanta. He's an absolute workhorse and gym rat, making Prado a different kind of animal.
Prado's hard work created struggles for him in 2011 after becoming an everyday outfielder for the Braves. He would play hard and spend way too much time at the gym which led to a year that saw him produce a .260 batting average with 13 home runs and 57 RBI.
However, Prado bounced back in 2012 with one of his best seasons in the majors. He hit .301 with 10 homers and drove in 70 runs with 17 stolen bases and a .359 OBP.
The best season for the 29-year-old came in 2010. Prado hit .307 with 15 homers (career high) and 66 RBI. That was the Braves first year back in the playoffs since 2006 and also Bobby Cox's last season before retiring.
For the D'Backs, this is a solid move. They get a guy they can move around in their lineup as well as on the field. Arizona is trying to bounce back and get into the playoffs once again. They have some solid pitching headed by Ian Kennedy and young guys like Trevor Cahill and Wade Miley.
Their bullpen toughened up with the addition of Heath Bell who should bounce back in 2013 after a horrid 2012 season with the Miami Marlins. Tony Sipp was also added and he should hold down left-handers late in games.
Cody Ross is also in the outfield and should spread his hard working and tenacity throughout the ballclub.
This will surely be a fun team to watch in 2013 and it will be interesting seeing Prado wearing a new jersey this upcoming season.
