D-backs benchwarmers

Diamondbacks' writer Steve Gilbert did his final installment today on the various aspects of this year's team. Today it was the bench. The big difference between this year's bench and last year's is evident: out with Tony Clark and in with Chris Burke.

Clark will of course be missed tremendously, but a guy like Burke gives the D-backs so much flexibility as a utility-man. He can play anywhere on the diamond except on the hill or behind the dish.

"He gives me tremendous flexibility, which is so important in the National League," Melvin said. "There are guys that can play a lot of positions, but he's a guy that plays them all well. When you play a lot of positions, it's tough to play them all well, but he does that. He can play shortstop and center field, which are two of the toughest positions out there."

Burke, a 27 year-old (will be 28 before spring training ends) from Louisville, Kentucky, is a career .249 hitter in his 3+ major league seasons. He seems to be a scrappy type of player...one that I guess should fit right in with this team.

Another key bench guy will be Jeff Salazar. Melvin especially likes the fact that since the starting outfielders are all right-handed hitting, that Salazar's left-handed bat will be good to mix in. He's certainly an above average defensive player as well, having not made an error yet in his brief 44 career games in the outfield.