Major Additions: Taijuan Walker, Fernando Rodney, Daniel Descalso, Chris Iannetta, Jeff Mathis, Ketel Marte
Major Losses: Jean Segura, Welington Castillo, Daniel Hudson, Mitch Haniger
Strengths: Offense
Weaknesses: Bullpen
Potential Breakout Stars: Braden Shipley, Archie Bradley, Jared Miller, Jimmie Sherfy
The Dansby Swanson trade may have been the worst in recent memory, and while it certainly hurts losing a franchise player in return for a decent starter, the major league team isn't quite awful. Paul Goldschmidt, an MVP candidate when healthy, and A.J Pollock, who had a huge 2015 (.315/.367/.498, 39 SB, 131 wRC+) before getting hurt in 2016, will be at the center of the offense. Yasmani Tomas broke out for 31 home runs last season, while Jake Lamb nearly quintupled his career high with 29. Brandon Drury (.282/.329/.458, 102 wRC+) was also a quiet performer last year. In addition to Pollock coming back, David Peralta will be healthy, and the addition of the two could help offset the loss of Jean Segura. Once he comes back from surgery, watch rookie Socrates Brito. On the mound, the hope is that Zack Greinke (4.37 ERA, 1.27 WHIP), Shelby Miller (6.15 ERA, 1.67 WHIP), and Patrick Corbin (5.15 ERA, 1.56 WHIP) will bounce back from their tough seasons, hopefully getting close to their 2015 form (Greinke: 1.66 ERA, 0.84 WHIP. Miller: 3.02 ERA, 1.25 WHIP. Corbin: 3.60 ERA, 1.27 WHIP). Robbie Ray has immense potential, and Beyond the Box Score ran an article last season analyzing Ray's odd combination of high strikeout numbers and high rates of hard hit balls. One of three things could happen: the strikeouts will win out and he'll stop giving up hard contact and turn into a frontline starter, the hard contact will win out and he'll stop striking guys out and fall out of the rotation, or he'll continue on this weird path he's on and continue to be an average starter. Who knows. Lastly, Taijuan Walker is a newcomer, and the 24 year old is hoping this is the year he breaks out into the number two starter he was projected to be. In the case of injury/inefficiency, veteran Jorge De La Rosa or young arms Braden Shipley, Archie Bradley, or Anthony Banda could be called upon to fill the void. 40 year old Fernando Rodney will be the closer, coming off a very odd season. Over 28 appearances with the Padres, he allowed just one run for a spectacular 0.31 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP, but upon being traded to Miami, he put up a 5.89 ERA and a 1.80 WHIP over 39 appearances, ruining his season's line. Andrew Chafin (6.75 ERA, 1.46 WHIP), Tom Wilhelmsen (6.80 ERA, 1.71 WHIP), and J.J. Hoover (13.50 ERA, 2.20 WHIP) will both look to bounce back to their solid 2015 forms, and Arizona will eagerly await Jake Barrett's (3.49 ERA, 1.26 WHIP) return from injury. Highly regarded relief prospects, Jared Miller and Jimmie Sherfy, reached AAA last season and could help out as well. The Diamondbacks will probably finish around .500 this year, but given their completely barren farm system, there isn't much hope for the future.
No comments:
Post a Comment