So far new Arizona Diamondbacks television broadcaster Steve Berthiume likes what he sees.
He’s happy to trade the frigid winters of Bristol, Connecticut for the mild Phoenix climate. He’s excited to trade the ESPN anchor desk for the broadcast booth at Chase Field.
With that being said Berthiume appears most excited about the Dbacks’ chances in the National League West as spring training ramps up.
“I think they’re going to be the best team in the division,” Berthiume told Brad Cesmat Thursday in-studio on ‘Big Guy on Sports.’ “I know I sound like a flag waver, I don’t care. I’m not buying the Dodgers…how many times have we seen it, especially in [baseball].” You can write all the checks you want if the pieces don’t go together it doesn’t matter what you’re paying ’em.”
Berthiume is convinced General Manager Kevin Towers’ new and improved deep rotation featuring Brandon McCarthy and possibly a handful of top prospects like Tyler Skaggs and Patrick Corbin outweighs what the Dodgers have in Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, Josh Beckett, and the bottom half of LA’s starters. Same in San Francisco where the World Series Champion Giants boast duel aces Matt Cain and Jonathan Baumgardner, but questions after that.
“You don’t know what’s wrong with Timmy [Lincecum],” Berthiume explained to Cesmat. “He’s a huge x-factor. Which Lincecum are you going to get?”
Offensively he feels the Snakes bench is much improved after adding vets Eric Chavez and Eric Hinske who came over this off-season. The duo also gives Manager Kirk Gibson positional flexibility late in games as each can play the corner infield, as well as spot duty in the outfield.
He’s also high on another versatile player, Martin Prado, who came over from the Braves as part of the Justin Upton deal last month.
“Martin Prado is the quintessential pros pro,” he said. “Everybody says that. Hank Aaron [Thursday said] ‘I hate the fact they traded Prado.’ That’s Henry Aaron saying that. Pretty good.”
Berthiume insists depth often trumps talent both on the mound and at the plate and believes the 2013 Dbacks are well-aligned in both areas with the regular season opener just over six weeks away.
Eric Sorenson
A Valley native, Eric has had a passion for the Arizona sports scene since an early age. He has covered some of the biggest events including Super Bowls, national championships and the NBA and MLB playoffs in his near 20 years in local media.