The Arizona Diamondbacks made the single biggest signing this offseason and were very active early on. As we approach training camp, it seems as if they’re done adding players, although it’s not because they have filled up all their needs.
It comes down to value and cost. The Diamondbacks will have a payroll of around $100 million in 2016, and while the money from the huge $1.5 billion TV deal they signed is starting to come in, the money they saved on the Aaron Hill trade (around $4 million in salary) won’t be used to add more players in the two months before the regular season begins. It’ll probably serve to give them some flexibility during the season should the need arise.
If the Diamondbacks feel there’s need to improve anywhere, it’s the bullpen. They addressed their rotation with Shelby Miller and Zack Greinke, but for now, it looks like the bullpen will be filled with inside-the-franchise guys, hoping someone emerges during spring training to make them feel confident about the decision they’ve made not to make any more signings. As general manager Dave Stewart put it, the money free agents are looking for just doesn’t match what they’re willing to spend, and the same can be said about trades they thought about making.
The Diamondbacks signed Greinke on a six-year, $206.5 million contract, taking advantage of his opt out from his contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Miller was acquired via trade from the Atlanta Braves. The Diamondbacks are hoping that this upgrade in their rotation will help them have another bounce in win total (15 more wins in 2015 compared to 2014), and mayb sneak by the Dodgers and San Francisco Giants to make the playoffs for the first time since 2011.