The Diamondbacks seem securely fixed at the top of the NL West, as their four-and-a-half game lead should be sufficient provided Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson remain healthy. Arizona has expanded their roster by ten this month to provide rest for the regulars and increase their options in close games. C-R Rod Barajas, IF-L Chris Donnels, OF-S Felix Jose, OF-R Mark Little, RHP Mike Morgan, 1B-L Lyle Overbay, RHP John Patterson, RHP Bret Prinz, RHP Armando Reynoso, and LHP Greg Swindell have joined the team this September.

Arizona didn't recall Barajas until September 1st, so Damian Miller and Chad Moeller will be their catchers in the postseason. However, Barajas will provide them with a strong third catcher this month.

Donnels has reportedly recovered from his back problems and should provide the Diamondbacks with another infield option and left-handed pinch-hitter. Arizona plucked Jose from the Mexican League to provide them with an additional outfielder and versatile pinch-hitter. The 37-year-old is near the top of the list for any extra outfield at-bats. Little shouldn't receive much playing time. He's there as a right-handed pinch-hitter and down the list of outfield reserves.

Morgan likely could have rejoined the team a month ago, but the Diamondbacks didn't have a reliever they wanted to demote to activate him. Arizona will use him occasionally to avoid overworking the members of the pen headed to the playoffs, but they'll probably avoid using him in high impact situations.

The Diamondbacks drafted Overbay out of the University of Nevada in the 18th round of the 1999 draft. After signing, Overbay played out the year at Missoula in the Rookie-Level Pioneer League. He split the following year between A South Bend in the Midwest League and AA El Paso in the Texas League. In 2001, Overbay spent the majority of the year back at El Paso with a major league call-up in September. He advanced to AAA Tucson this season, where he hit .343 with a .396 OBP and .528 SLG on 180 H, 40 2B, 19 HR and a 42:86 BB:K in 525 AB.

Although his plate discipline has dropped off a bit as he's advanced, he demonstrated good strike zone judgment in the lower minors and should be able to resurrect those skills, further increasing his production. As he can't participate in the postseason, he likely won't receive a large number of at-bats this month. However, he should be a valuable left-handed pinch hitter, and I expect him to be their starting first baseman next season. While I still believe Erubiel Durazo could be a highly productive starter, he hasn't demonstrated the health or consistency to usurp Overbay. The Diamondbacks could deal him this off-season, but I expect they'll instead keep him around until July of next season and deal him for whatever they need at that time, provided Overbay is healthy and producing.

Arizona won't disrupt the team by inserting Patterson into the rotation this month, though if they need a spot starter he'll likely get the call. Next season he should join the rotation out of Spring Training, unless the Diamondbacks go nuts with free agents. This month he'll work long relief, spelling the rest of the bullpen in blowouts and extra inning games.

Prinz put together a fairly solid season at AAA this year, compiling a 34:9 K:BB with 42 H and 4 HR allowed in 39.1 IP for a 2.97 ERA. Consequently, Arizona should feel more comfortable using him, so he might receive regular work this month. Last season Prinz jumped to the big leagues with only 6 IP in AAA, which likely contributed to the control problems he displayed in the majors.

Despite targeting a mid-May return following off-season surgery to repair a herniated disc, Reynoso spent the entire year on the DL due to setbacks and an extended rehab program. I doubt Arizona will throw him into any high impact situations after almost two seasons lost to injury.

Swindell has reportedly recovered from his back problems, but I expect the Diamondbacks to exercise caution with his workload this month. His health and performance over the next few weeks will likely determine whether he's a part of the postseason roster.

Arizona's bullpen didn't receive quite as large a boost as some playoff teams, but they have more offensive options than many teams. Craig Counsell still hopes to return for the last couple weeks of the season or at least the playoffs. He has a pinched nerve in his neck and will need surgery to correct the problem eventually, though he's attempting to delay that until the off-season. Counsell's improved to the point that he's started to swing a bat, but he's still far from healthy. If he isn't ready to play by September 20th, he reportedly won't return to play in 2002.

The Randy/Schilling combo insures that the Diamondbacks are in good position to succeed in the postseason due to the playoff format, so they could easily revisit the World Series again this year and possibly next year as well if the duo remains healthy. However if either pitcher falters, the clubhouse chemistry skills of their aging veteran offense likely won't provide the necessary extra offense, so they could quickly slide out of the playoffs.