D-backs will be ‘selective’ with trading assets, managing rebuild
Dec 10, 2018, 5:01 PM | Updated: 10:22 pm
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Trading the franchise centerpiece and losing key players in free agency would lead some to believe that a full rebuild is in the works for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
According to the Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, that might not be the case.
Rosenthal reports that even though the D-backs have already lost first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, pitcher Patrick Corbin and likely center fielder A.J. Pollock, the front office in Arizona plans to “remain selective in how they proceed.”
The D-backs finished third in the NL West, after leading the division for most of the season, and more than eight games out of a playoff spot.
David Peralta, Nick Ahmed, Zack Greinke and Robbie Ray have all been mentioned as players that could be dealt by general manager Mike Hazen at the Winter Meetings, which take place this week in Las Vegas.
Rosenthal’s report suggests that the D-backs will try to win games now with the established veterans they have as apposed to trading them off for minor league prospects.
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale tweeted that teams were turned away by the D-backs after inquiring about pitcher Robbie Ray on the opening day of Winter Meetings.
Arizona has only 37 players currently on the 40-man roster, which could factor into their activity in Las Vegas.