A few simple fixes for the D-Backs

The Diamondbacks have the second-worst record in baseball, they lead the league in errors, and they’ve lost nine of their last 11 series. On Friday, after Arizona had nearly as many errors (three) as hits (four) in a 5-0 loss to Colorado, infielder Mark Reynolds all but called his teammates quitters.

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“This is the major leagues, you can’t go out there and make three errors and expect to win a game. We looked like the Bad News Bears out there,” Reynolds said. “It’s frustrating as (expletive) out there. It’s to the point where stuff’s got to change. You can give all the rah-rah speeches you want and have all the team meetings you want, yell at guys or whatever, but guys got to give a damn.

“I don’t really see it,” Reynolds added. “I know I care, I’m out there busting my tail every night. Physical errors are fine, but guys not doing the right thing, guys not being where they’re supposed to be or guys giving up on (at-bats) is unacceptable at any level.”

Finally, a player willing to publicly admit what we’ve known for several weeks. The Diamondbacks aren’t just playing bad baseball. They’ve become an embarrassment — to themselves, to manager A.J. Hinch (who is finding out what life was like for Bob Melvin) and to the organization.

If Reynolds’ teammates don’t appreciate his comments, too bad. At least someone is standing up and telling the truth.

Maybe we just learned who the leader in that clubhouse will be the next few years.

The Diamondbacks can’t save this season. It’s gone. But as bad as they’ve been — and we’re talking Roseanne Barr singing the national anthem bad — it’s not a stretch to imagine them in the playoffs next year.

No, really.

Here’s how:

1. Get healthy.

At this time last year, Brandon Webb (shoulder) had 12 wins. His replacements in the rotation this season — Yusmeiro Petit and Billy Buckner — have a combined two victories.

Left fielder Conor Jackson, who hit .300 last season with 12 homers and 75 RBIs, has just 99 plate appearances and may not play the rest of the year as he recovers from valley fever.

Let’s be conservative and say a healthy Webb and Jackson would have meant 10 more wins for Arizona. Their record heading into Saturday’s games would have been 41-39. Not great, but just 2 1/2 games back in the wild-card race.

Call it an excuse if you want, but few teams can lose their ace and their most consistent hitter and still contend.

2. Improve the defense.

Reynolds is right. Too often, the Diamondbacks lose focus and fail to do the fundamentals: covering a base, throwing to the cut-off man, etc., etc.

But there’s also little question that general manager Josh Byrnes has put together a bad defensive team. Only two everyday players — shortstop Stephen Drew and center fielder Chris Young — can be considered above-average defenders.

Arizona needs to dump Felipe Lopez and sign a slick-fielding second baseman, upgrade the defense at first base and then hope guys like Reynolds and Justin Upton improve as they mature.

3. Fix the bullpen.

The Diamondbacks have blown 12 saves and the bullpen’s ERA is 4.89. Byrnes is loath to pay big money for a closer, but the pen has been unsettled ever since he traded Jose Valverde to Houston.

The offseason priorities should be to decide whether Chad Qualls is the answer in the ninth inning and then sign a veteran set-up man (or two) to pair with youngsters like Daniel Schlereth, Juan Gutierrez and Clay Zavada.

4. Change the culture in the clubhouse.

The Diamondbacks have too many quiet guys who mind their own business. That’s fine, to a point. But Arizona needs a leader who is willing to confront teammates and remind them, both privately and publicly, of how the game is supposed to be played.

Tony Clark was that guy in 2007 — remember the no-holds barred meeting he called in the Milwaukee hotel that turned the season around — but he seems to have lost his influence.

Maybe Reynolds will grow into the role. Catcher Chris Snyder has the respect of the clubhouse. He could do it, too.

Someone has to step up. Hinch can call all the team meetings he wants — he recently had three in 11 days — but the voice needs to come from within the clubhouse rather than the manager’s office.

As hard as it might be to believe, the Diamondbacks haven’t fallen off a cliff. They will have a core of young, productive players in 2010 — Upton, Reynolds, Drew, Jackson — and, if Webb is healthy, two aces at the top of their rotation.

The turnaround can be quick and dramatic.

Until then, well, there’s always the DVD of the 2001 World Series.