The difference between Arizona repeating in the NL West and the Dodgers winning last year was Manny Ramirez. Or, Arizona's dealing Carlos Quentin to the White Sox, take your pick. Which is why Manny's return to Hollywood, after the Dodgers, impacts the Diamondbacks the most. Adding salt to the wound, the Dodgers confiscated Orlando Hudson from the free agent market -- a second baseman Arizona will miss in its lineup and clubhouse this summer. Still, Bob Melvin's club should hang in there based on a front three of Brandon Webb, Dan Haren and Jon Garland in the rotation. If Max Scherzer can emerge and stay healthy, it will be a boost, too. The D-Backs need fewer strikeouts from third baseman Mark Reynolds and center fielder Chris Young and more maturation from right fielder Justin Upton and shortstop Stephen Drew.