Brandon Webb (Gone)
For 3 years, Webb was possibly one of the most dominate pitchers in the National League. Going into last year, every D-Back fan was stoked about the idea of Webb and Haren as a 1-2 punch. Webb was due a large paycheck and it was assumed that he would continue to dominate and then sign with a large market team. But after shoulder issues plagued him last season, it is debatable whether he will return to domination. Even if he does, questions will remain about his future health. For this reason, it is not likely that the Diamondbacks will tie up so much of their future budget on a player with health issues. Which is too bad, because I would love to see him dominate and finish out his career with Arizona.
Anquan Boldon (Gone)
If I publicly criticized management like Boldon did, I would probably be asked to hand in my badge. Yet he had the audacity to state that Cardinal management was not "man enough" to tell him earlier in the week that he was sitting out. Last I heard, being a man meant keeping your word and having integrity. Anquan needs to be a man and finish out his contract. He didn't complain when he signed the deal making him one of the higher paid wideouts in the league.
Boldon has 3 major issues to deal with. The first being that he has missed games in each of the last few seasons, giving off the impression that he is injury prone. Secondly, his antics have made him look childish and now he is being pegged as a trouble maker. When was the last time fans were taking the side of the Bidwells and Cardinal management? Lastly, the Cardinals have an incredible record when Boldon is out-meaning he is replaceable. Where Steve Nash has managed to prove his worth by how much better the Suns play with him in the game; Anquan is starting to look irrelevant. My prediction is the Cards trade him to fill a gap somewhere else in their game.
Amare Stoudemire (big payday)
I was very pleased to see Nash sign an extension and with 2 twenty assist games it seems like Planet Orange might be burning bright again. But Stoudemire is the one major question mark. He seemed to come back from his knee issues fine and then had issues with the eye. Like Webb, it is risky to throw money at a player that may be injury prone. At times he has looked incredible and other times average.
But Stoudemire has plenty of upside. He is still very young and has improved his game in each of the last few off seasons ( improving his footwork, shooting range, jumpshot). It even appears that he wants to play defense this year. Amare is already earning a max contract, so an extension does not necessarily add substantially to the Suns bottom line. Plus, the Suns need to show a commitment to winning in order to keep season ticket holders happy and resigning Stoudemire could be a step in the right direction. Oden is overrated, Gasol is soft and Duncan is old. Amare might be the best big man in the West.
In a league where big men are highly overpaid (ie. Eric Dampier and Elton Brand), Amare will have plenty of suitors. But if he is smart, then he will realize that signing with the Suns is mutually beneficial. Stoudemire is given the opportunity to be a scorer because the Suns consistently run the pick in roll centered around getting him the ball. In another system with a different point guard, Amares stats will be worse. With the exception of Joe Johnson, most of the Suns who have left saw a decline in their offensive stats. Phoenix offers a classy organization, loyal fan base, great weather, friendly media and a 2 time MVP dishing him the ball.
