Arizona Diamondbacks: Additions of Souza and Dyson upgrade offense

With the speed of Jarrod Dyson and the power from Steven Souza, the Arizona Diamondbacks increased their offensive capabilities.

Over the course of one day, the dynamics of the Arizona Diamondbacks offense changed and changed dramatically.

From lamenting over the definite loss of outfielder J. D. Martinez, general manager Mike Hazen immediately wrapped his head around speed and power. With Jarrod Dyson supplying the motors and Steven Souza, Jr. adding the lumber, the loss of Martinez may be quickly forgotten at best and minimized at the least.

On Monday, Hazen inked Dyson, a free agent, to a two-year deal, which could also act as an insurance policy should A. J. Pollock bolt next winter as a free agent. Then, Hazen was part of a three-team trade with the Rays and Yankees and acquired Souza, an outfielder,

If Hazen’s search for a corner outfielder led to the brink of training camp, he managed to give the Diamondbacks more speed and an equal power surge within the confines of a 24-hour period.

At the same time, a logjam in the middle of the infield loosened with the trade of Brandon Drury to the New York Yankees. The Bombers expressed interest in Drury as early as this past winter meetings and the native of Grants Pass; Ore. should fill the void at third in the Bronx.

For Arizona, the additions of Dyson and Souza will complement one another and play well into manager Torey Lovullo’s creative strategies. Though the Diamondbacks lacked speed in specific areas, Lovullo and first base coach Dave McKay picked their spots to steal bases and take an extra base when moving around the diamond.

More from Arizona Diamondbacks

• Can we expect late-season runs for the Cincinnati Reds and Arizona Diamondbacks?
• MLB rumors: Arizona Diamondbacks taking less aggressive approach at MLB trade deadline
• Trade deadline: NL West for sale, plus Dodgers, Giants, Diamondbacks wish list
• Arizona Diamondbacks: Are they a pretender or contender for the NL West and more?
• Mike Hazen’s impact on the Arizona Diamondbacks: An interim grade

Regarding the dynamic of speed, Dyson worked well at both the top and bottom of the batting order. Yet, switching from the American League to the National will likely impact his use.

Spending his entire career with Kansas City and Seattle, Dyson’s ability to reach base, confuse pitchers and utilize speed as an offensive weapon was well documented. Kansas City manager Ned Yost, in conversation with Call to the Pen Tuesday during the Cactus League media day, described Dyson, several times, as “fearless.” Seattle skipper Scott Servais, who managed Dyson last season, referred to the outfielder as, “electric.”

In an American League line-up, Dyson was positioned lower in the line-up and acted as a second lead-off batter. In the NL with no designated hitter, Dyson would not have much value at the bottom of Lovullo’s line-up because of the pitcher hitting.

One spot could be in the one or two hole and David Peralta, who lead-off for most of last season, could drop down to sixth or seventh. At this point, Lovullo told Call to the Pen that the hour is much too early in spring training for any line-up construction.

All of which could leave Souza hitting behind Paul Goldschmidt and Jake Lamb. While Souza possesses a power bat in the middle of the line-up, he is also vulnerable. Last season with the Rays, he fanned 179 times in 617 times at the plate. That represented a reduction in strikeouts from the previous season. In 2016, the 28-year-old native of Everett, Wash. struck out 159 times in 468 plate appearances.

His power is undeniable. Last season with the Rays, Souza banged out 30 homers and drove in 78 runs. He will likely man left field, Peralta moves over to the right with remaining Pollock in center.

In the six weeks remaining of spring training, Lovullo now must balance speed and the ability to manufacture runs at the top of the line-up with Dyson between the potential power of Souza in the middle of the order.

Should Dyson emerged as the fourth outfielder, that puts Yasmany Tomas at risk to make the 25-man roster. Owned $48 million on the remainder of his contract, the Diamondbacks could eat the money and send Tomas out of the desert. That financial decision rests with Ken Kendrick, the club’s managing general partner and the man with the checkbook.

Next: Depth fuels competition at shortstop for D-Backs

Given the dramatic turn of events over the past 24-hours, the additions of Dyson and Souza appear to increase offensive production. In the swift motion of the Dyson-Souza transactions, Arizona seems to have placed Martinez clearly in the rare view mirror.