D-backs 2019 offseason overview: What’s left to do before reporting day?

The Arizona Diamondbacks entered this offseason still numbing the pains of their late season collapse.

From Aug. 24 to Sep. 30, the D-backs lost 24 of 35 games and found themselves finishing third in the NL West after contending for the division lead all year.

With Feb. 12 only three weeks away, the D-backs still have a few holes to fill before pitchers and catchers report.

Departures

1B Paul Goldschmidt: The D-backs traded the six-time NL All-Star to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for C Carson Kelly, RHP Luke Weaver, INF Andy Young and a compensation round B pick in the 2019 MLB Draft.

SP Patrick Corbin: The two-time All-Star signed a six-year contract with the Washington Nationals worth $140 million after posting the best season of his career with the D-backs in 2018.

INF Daniel Descalso: The veteran infielder inked a two-year, $5 million deal with the Chicago Cubs.

C Jeff Mathis: After serving as Zack Greinke’s personal catcher for the past two seasons, Mathis signed a two-year deal with the Texas Rangers worth $6.25 million.

SP Shelby Miller, OF Chris Owings and OF Jon Jay: All three signed one-year deals with three different clubs. Miller with Texas, Owings with the Kansas City Royals and Jay with the Chicago White Sox.

Pending Free Agents 

CF A.J. Pollock: The last key free-agent position player for the D-backs on the market is undoubtedly their former center fielder.

After a successful yet injury-filled 2018, Pollock’s market has seemed to hit a standstill as of late.

RPs Brad Boxberger and Jake Diekman: Both relievers are still available after being non-tendered by the club last November. After they both had solid campaigns in 2018, they certainly have the chance to help out any team in the back end of the bullpen.

SP Clay Buchholz: The veteran starter is also still out on the market after a resurgent 2018. The 34-year-old had his season cut short due to an arm injury in September but should make for a good option for a club in need of an experienced arm at a low cost.

FAs Signed

RHP Merrill Kelly: In early December, the D-backs signed Kelly to a two-year contract worth $5.5 million.

Kelly spent the last four years in the hitter-friendly Korea Baseball Organization. After struggling in his first two seasons, the 30-year-old posted a 3.64 ERA and 341 strikeouts in 61 starts over the past two years.

Kelly has joined the D-backs as a starter and is expected to join the starting rotation in this upcoming season.

INF Wilmer Flores: After spending his entire professional baseball career in the New York Mets organization, the D-backs and Flores agreed on a one-year, $4.25 million deal with a team option for the 2020 season.

Flores played all over the field for the Mets, finding time at 1B, 2B, 3B, SS and in the outfield. He will be expected to become the starting second baseman for the D-backs in 2019.

Holes

The most glaring hole for the D-backs heading into 2019 is the hole left by Pollock in center field.

D-backs general manager Mike Hazen announced Monday that current 2B Ketel Marte will be manning center field for the club come opening day in March.

Marte played center in nine games while he was in the minors but has only seen a total of 14 innings of major-league ball at the position.

The other big hole lurks in the back end of the starting rotation.

With Corbin heading to Washington and RHP Taijuan Walker not expected to return until around the All-Star Break, the D-backs have two open positions at the end of their rotation that need to be filled.

Two possible options for both spots would be recently acquired starters Luke Weaver and Merrill Kelly.

After a successful 2017, Weaver saw his first full season of action with the Cardinals in 2018, making 25 starts and coming out of the bullpen five times. The 25-year-old finished the season with a record of 7-11 and a 4.95 ERA.

As for Kelly, he has yet to see major league action but had plenty of success in the Korea Baseball Organization. Before he left for Korea, Kelly relied on deceiving hitters with his arm slot and a 88-90 mph two-seam fastball. After his four seasons overseas, he has increased his velocity to the high 90s and has expanded his pitching arsenal.

Another option could be to turn to free agency for more pitching options.

Pitchers such as Buchholz, Wade Miley and Edwin Jackson are all pitchers coming off a surprisingly successful 2018 and are not necessary going to cost that much. This option may not be working toward the future, but it could give time for Weaver and Kelly to figure things out before making the jump to full-time starter.

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