End of season post-mortem: 2013 Arizona Diamondbacks

Here we are, folks: the End of Season Post-Mortem series. If you're new here (which about 50% of our reader base is in comparison to last year), here's a brief explanation: after a team is eliminated from playoff contention, we're going to put their season under a microscope and look at just what the hell went wrong, what went right, and so on and so forth. The goal is to post these the day after a team is eliminated. After an off-season of controversial trades and a team-building mantra seemingly based entirely around grit and hustle, the Diamondbacks fancied themselves contenders in the NL West. Alas their season has now come to an well short of their playoff goal. Preseason prediction: The Diamondbacks are in a really tough division. They have the largest payroll in baseball and the defending World Champions in front of them. Contending won't be easy. Assuming they stay healthy, the rotation is more consistent, and key guys take steps forward, this is a te...