The Diamondbacks spent the offseason pursuing a hitter as they looked for a right-hander to pair with. Pavin Smith. That remains the goal as Spring Training approaches, team president Derrick Hall emphasized this morning.
“There’s a good chance we could still see a move or two that could impact our team,” Hall said at Friday’s charity golf event (links via MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert and Arizona Republic’s Nick Piecoro). The president of the group added that the office “is still trying to find another first supporter working under it, and I think we can still look to improve our singing, both starting and releasing, but we still have steps to do. We are not done yet.”
None of this comes as a surprise as it relates to reporting on the club’s plans for the winter, however it is worth noting that the chief executive has made history predicting whether it will be bought. They seem to be looking to add more shots, at least through free agency. General manager Mike Hazen said last week that the team has no budget space to spend on high-profile relief on the open market. “We still have room,” Hall said today of the team’s financial picture. “But for there to be a big impact, we’re going to have to innovate, or look to move the money if we’re going to do something really big.”
Although there are not many campers available as February approaches, Zac Gallen remains unsigned. He declined a qualifying offer in November and is one of the undrafted free agents, as well Framber Valdez. There was talk that the Diamondbacks could bring Gallen back, but that hasn’t been seen much since the club brought him in. Merrill Kelly back on a two-year deal that pays $20MM per year. Even if he gets a two-year deal on the way out, Gallen will likely take them past their comfort zone unless owner Ken Kendrick does something different with a familiar pitcher.
Hall is alluded to the possibility of spending money on the trade market, but there aren’t many clear ways to do that without taking key players off the roster. They cut off Ketel Marte negotiations and will not consider trading Corbin Carroll or Geraldo Perdomo. They are one season into a five-year extension Brandon Pfaadt. He’s only making $3MM this year, and the rotation is small enough that they won’t be inclined to trade low on him either way.
They don’t spend Corbin Burns contracted in the middle of rehab from Tommy John surgery. Parties shall not take any significant part of the Eduardo Rodriguez or Lourdes Gurriel Jr. deals. No one in their arbitration division makes even $4MM. Ryan Thompson, Kevin Ginkel or Alex Thomas all decrease over the years but playing positions is a necessity and will not move the needle much in terms of salary.
Hazen suggested last week that they could turn to the trade market for help, though the biggest factor will be injury recovery AJ Puk again Justin Martinez. It would be easy to find an outfield first baseman on the cheap in free agency. Meeting again Paul Goldschmidt it made sense all winter. Rhys Hoskins, Wilmer Flores, France, Carlos Santana again Justin Turner are also unsigned.
