AP Photo/Paul Connors

Bob Melvin was fired, and Brandon Webb is on the DL. It's been a rough year in Arizona.

By John Kruk, ESPN

On Wednesday, the Diamondbacks learned of the death of pitcher Scott Schoeneweis' wife in Arizona. This news, far worse than anything that could ever happen on the field, added to what has already been a difficult season for the team. At this point, it's tough to gauge what the Diamondbacks can do to bounce back from all this.

The D-backs recently fired manager Bob Melvin, have ace pitcher Brandon Webb on the DL and are tied for the fewest wins in baseball. As long as the Dodgers are in the same division as the Diamondbacks, it seems as if there's no hope for Arizona. In April 2008, we were talking about the D-backs' being the best offensive team in baseball, and they were in April, but they've been the worst offensive team in baseball since then.

Everyone wants to save money, and I understand that Arizona has some financial problems. But the Diamondbacks get enamored with all these young players, such as Chris Young. He had a great start a couple of years ago, but he has struggled since. Justin Upton is starting to pick up the pace now, but last year they thought he was going to be a middle of the lineup, 30-homer, 100-RBI type of guy. It just hasn't worked out for him. Sure, he's playing well this year, but when you put a lot of stock in all these young players, you are really rolling the dice.

A perfect example is Eric Byrnes. The D-backs had to decide whether to keep him or Carlos Quentin, and they decided to sign Byrnes to a four-year deal and let Quentin go to the White Sox. That doesn't look like a real good move now. It's not that these guys don't have the ability to be good players, but you are asking them to carry your team. That's something they can't do. Conor Jackson is another example. They thought he was going to be a .300 hitter with the power to drive in runs, but it just hasn't worked out. You can't ask a group of young players to carry your team, then wonder why they are losing games. They are making mental mistakes and physical mistakes -- two things synonymous with youth.

Keep in mind that the manager has nothing to do with the D-backs' struggles right now. Managers get fired because their team is bad. I don't doubt that these guys have the ability to be better. However, when a manager is fired, the players have to take responsibility. Now, with manager A.J. Hinch in there to replace Melvin, there is more confusion than ever. The young players are looking at each other trying to figure out their direction. I don't know whether Hinch is the right guy; only time will tell.

One thing I've noticed is there's a twist to the way these new GMs are handling business. They think outside of the box. They are into more than just the X's and O's of the game. If the D-backs can turn this season around and be competitive you are going to see a lot more teams go out and get guys like Hinch, people who have never managed before but have good people skills.

Past Baseball Tonight Clubhouses: May 19 | May 18 | May 17 | May 14 | May 13

TOUCH 'EM ALL

Who went deep? Keep track of all the home runs hit each day on "Baseball Tonight" and on the Baseball Tonight Clubhouse page.

For more, check out the Home Run Tracker page.

Home Run Tracker
NAME	HR	OPP	PITCHER	SITUATION
C. Snyder, Ari	3	Fla	Volstad	Top 5: 0-1, 1 Outs. 1 on.
D. Uggla, Fla	5	Ari	Rauch	Bot 5: 2-1, 1 Outs. 2 on.
C. Tracy, Ari	3	Fla	Meyer	Top 7: 3-2, 0 Outs. None on.
R. Raburn, Det	3	Tex	Harrison	Bot 2: 1-0, 0 Outs. None on.
N. Swisher, NYY	9	Bal	Guthrie	Bot 2: 3-2, 0 Outs. None on.

The complete list of Wednesday's homers

ON DECK: THURSDAY'S BEST MATCHUPS

Cubs at Cardinals

This will be the third start against the Cubs already this season for Adam Wainwright. Both starts were nearly identical: He gave up seven hits and three runs each time. The Cardinals won both games, although Wainwright got the victory in only one of those outings. Sean Marshall returns to the rotation after coming out of the bullpen.

Indians at Royals

Zack Greinke starts have become appointment viewing. He still has allowed only four runs all season and has struck out 44 against just eight walks. After posting a 9.50 ERA in April, Carl Pavano has lowered that number to 4.02 for May.

Blue Jays at Red Sox

Jon Lester has been roughed up in each of his past two outings, allowing 18 hits and 13 runs in 10 innings of losses against Tampa Bay and Seattle. Robert Ray was quite good in his most recent start, allowing three hits and one run over eight innings in a win against the White Sox.

For the rest of Thursday's schedule, click here.