D-backs bounce back

A World Series title is the only thing on the minds of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

“That’s always the main goal going in," said recovered ace pitcher Brandon Webb. “We feel really confident in the guys we got…We’re dreaming big and our main goal is a World Series championship.”

After a 2009 season where the Diamondbacks finished in last place in the NL West for the first time since the team’s 1998 inaugural season, management geared up for a busy offseason.

“I liked what they did,” longtime D-backs fan Justin Emerson said. “I’m excited to see the new players.”

In perhaps the busiest offseason in the teams’ history, the Diamondbacks signed a pair of right-handed relievers in Aaron Heilman and Bob Howry, a second baseman in Kelly Johnson, and a left-handed hitting slugger in first baseman Adam Laroche.

The Diamondbacks even got involved in one of the more high-profile trades of the offseason, sending starter Max Scherzer and left-handed reliever Daniel Schlereth to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for All-Star pitcher Edwin Jackson. They also received Yankee right-hander Ian Kennedy in the deal.

The teams’ willingness to pick up the option of Brandon Webb could prove to be the biggest move of the offseason.

“I’m feeling good,” Webb said. “It’s coming along real well. I’m excited.”

The 2009 season was one that Webb would like to forget. After throwing just four and two-thirds innings against the Colorado Rockies on opening day, Webb was removed from the game due to tightness in his throwing shoulder.  Webb never stepped on the mound again, and elected to have season-ending surgery.

“I was battling getting on the mound every few weeks,” Webb said.  “Then all of a sudden I was like ‘something’s not right. We need to check something out.’ ”

All-star right fielder Justin Upton is encouraged by Webb's return this season.

“When Webb is on top of his game, we can sleep in the outfield,” said Upton.  “It’s groundballs all day. To have him back will definitely be a boost for our ball club.”

Another player who the Diamondbacks are excited to have back and healthy is left fielder Conor Jackson. Jackson played in only 30 games last season before being diagnosed with Valley Fever, a disease that cost him the remainder of the season.

“It was a brutal, kind of nightmarish season,” Jackson said.  “I feel a lot better now. I feel 100 percent totally recovered. The future is bright for me right now.”

Jackson spent a majority of the offseason playing in the Dominican Republic’s winter league and getting his strength back. Jackson said the experience in the winter league was good because it made him feel like a baseball player again.

With the offseason acquisitions and the improved health of several key players, optimism is everywhere.  Just ask Jackson.

“A World Series is what we expect,” Jackson said. “It’s go big, or go home.”