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Seven bold predictions for the National League West in 2018

By Kevin Henry

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 29: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies circles the bases after hitting a solo home run in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on September 29, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 29: Nolan Arenado #28 of the Colorado Rockies circles the bases after hitting a solo home run in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on September 29, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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SCOTTSDALE, AZ – MARCH 12: Steven Souza Jr #28 of the Arizona Diamondbacks follows through on a swing during the second inning of a spring training game against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on March 12, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
SCOTTSDALE, AZ – MARCH 12: Steven Souza Jr #28 of the Arizona Diamondbacks follows through on a swing during the second inning of a spring training game against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on March 12, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

It may not have gotten a lot of attention in an offseason dominated by big-name free agents, but the Arizona Diamondbacks grabbing Steven Souza in a three-team trade will pay big dividends for Arizona this season.

As we discussed, J.D. Martinez is gone. While Souza is not Martinez, he is enough to make the Diamondbacks dangerous. He will also be one of the biggest surprises in the National League West this season.

Arizona is already stacked with players like MVP candidate Paul Goldschmidt and Jake Lamb. However, I predict Souza will step up and lead the Diamondbacks in home runs this season. He will also become that player that other fans throughout the division quickly come to loathe for how he always seems to come through with the clutch hit.

The 28-year-old Souza pounded 30 homers last season in Tampa Bay. He also stole 16 bases, helping to make him a threat on the bases. If he can duplicate those types of numbers in the desert this season, he will certainly make the Arizona lineup deep and potent.

Next: 18 Rockies things to look forward to in 2018

Arizona won’t make the playoffs this season, but they will certainly benefit greatly from having Souza in the lineup.

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