"A month from Saturday, Diamondbacks pitchers and catchers begin their spring-training workouts. For many, the preparation started months ago.

Turnout has been strong at Salt River Fields during the off-season, thanks to the presence of trainers, strength and conditioning coaches and high-end workout equipment. It is evident by the number of players making the trek that the 2011 postseason was the baseball equivalent of a trip to a Chinese restaurant.

"It made us all hungry for more right away," pitcher Daniel Hudson said. "It left us with an empty feeling in our stomachs. A lot of guys took (the National League Division Series loss to the Milwaukee Brewers) to heart."

The Diamondbacks have my attention. They should have your attention, too. They brought back left-hander Joe Saunders. They added outfielder Jason Kubel and pitchers Trevor Cahill, Takashi Saito and Craig Breslow. And they've committed to a payroll nearly $15 million higher than originally budgeted.

Players have noticed, and the commitment has helped revitalize a group that turned heads last season by winning 94 games and the NL West. The soul of the 2012 team could be a pitching rotation strong from top to bottom.

Ian Kennedy. Hudson. Cahill. Josh Collmenter. Saunders. This depth allows the team's big-time pitching prospects -- think Tyler Skaggs and Trevor Bauer -- to further develop in the minors and not force the issue with the parent club.

Hudson has a definite unfinished-business chip on his shoulder and said many other pitchers do, too."