Modest Proposal

Kevin Towers's first off-season as Diamondbacks' G.M. was peculiar in that he didn't turn the team in the direction of youth. Instead, Towers signed a host of mediocre veterans, including Xavier Nady, Melvin Mora and Willie Bloomquist. These players may have something to contribute to teams close to contention, but the 2011 D-Backs are the worst team in the NL West and will be challenged to reach 80 wins. Their year would be better spent playing first baseman Brandon Allen, outfielder Gerardo Parra, shortstop Tony Abreu and outfielder Cole Gillespie—second-tier prospects, admittedly, but with more potential than those thirtysomethings. Allen, in particular, is interesting for his raw power (a .514 slugging percentage in Triple A and 22 games with Arizona last year ) and steadily improving plate discipline (a 133/103 K/BB ratio in parts of two seasons at Triple A). Signed as a first baseman, he even accepted a move to the outfield last year and became an awkward, though energetic, leftfielder. One way or another, he and the other young Diamondbacks should be the focus this year, rather than the first crop of Towers's signings.