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Diamondbacks Outlook '23
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Ugh Pitching
3:31
If Lugo, Clevinger, Wacha and/or Heaney is the bucket Arizona is pulling from, aren't they better off just letting Pfaadt, Jarvis, Cecconi and Henry take those starts? Far cheaper and equal quality of innings. Why aim small to spend money just for the sake of spending money?
Anthony Franco
3:32
Pfaadt has a rotation spot but I disagree with the premise that Jarvis, Cecconi and Henry would provide equally quality innings to the free agent options
Jake
3:32
Any chance the Snakes can make a play for any of the Asian imports? (Yamamoto, Imanaga, Lee)
Anthony Franco
3:33
Can't see Yamamoto going there but either of Imanaga or Lee could be viable. Teams are going to have different opinions on the projections of those players, but they have needs in the rotation and outfield and I don't expect either of those players to land beyond what Arizona could spend
Renee
3:34
What are your projections for the D-backs’ 2024 bullpen?
Anthony Franco
3:35
I expect Sewald back to close. Ginkel's the top setup guy, Saalfrank should take a step forward. It's pretty weak beyond that and an area they'll have to address
3:36
I had them as my pick for Joe Jiménez on our Top 50 free agents that's coming out next week. That's off the table after Jiménez re-signed with the Braves this morning, but there are other setup types they can pursue
3:37
Any of Reynaldo López, Jordan Hicks or Matt Moore seem like viable targets. Could try to trade for an Alex Lange or Kyle Finnegan as a secondary addition
Peter
3:37
Would you agree that Hazen clearly has the goal of contending all throughout the Corbin contract with other core players, and his main goal is pitching and defense, not signing slugger who suck defensively.
Anthony Franco
3:38
Yeah I think this is an apt characterization. Every team wants sustainable success, of course, but Arizona does seem more focused than a lot of clubs on building through athleticism and defense with less emphasis on power
3:39
That they never wanted to give Seth Beer an extended look is a pretty good example of this. Obviously worked out in retrospect given how well Walker has played the last two years
Desertdawg
3:40
Could you see AZ and the Rockies doing a deal that would include 3rd baseman McMahon going to the D'Backs?
Anthony Franco
3:41
Could check in on McMahon but I'm skeptical Colorado wants to move him, particularly within division. He's arguably their best player and whether outside observers believe the Rockies should rebuild or not, they aren't going
Makes sense for Arizona if he's available, just don't think he will be
joe
3:41
Do you see the Dbacks try to trade for a rental pitcher near the deadline? (if the rotation still has holes) Like a Corbin Burns, Shane Bieber?
Anthony Franco
3:43
Certainly could add a rental starter at the deadline. They could make a push for one this offseason. I expect Bieber to be traded somewhere during the winter
Budget
3:43
Is Lourdes worth 20M+ or should we go for depth?
Anthony Franco
3:44
Worth $20MM annually? No. If it's like $12-13MM annually for three seasons, that seems fine
Burke
3:44
What happens with Jace Peterson? Does he stay on the 26 man or is he replaced by a FA and Lawlar slides into the utility role?
Anthony Franco
3:45
I'd be surprised if both he and Rivera hold a roster spot all offseason. Of the two, I'd guess Peterson is the likelier to be let go
Kendrick's Generocity
3:45
What number do you think the payroll will be near on Opening Day? You (rightly) don't see them going after actual needle-moving free agents, so will there be a significant decrease in payroll to wait for a better/deeper class?
Anthony Franco
3:48
I certainly don't expect them to decrease payroll. They were around $116MM this year, per Cot's. They have roughly $86MM committed to next year's roster. Spending $35-40MM to push a little above $120MM seems reasonable -- rewards the team for the playoff push but still below the franchise-record during a time when they have some uncertainty about the TV deal
3:49
That's enough to accommodate a big-ticket free agent (aside from Ohtani) if they wanted, but it requires a long-term commitment and limits their flexibility in other areas. Between the rotation, setup relief, left field and DH, I imagine they'd prefer to spread that money around
Mike
3:49
Could someone fill me in on Zac Gallen and his status as a pitcher in the whole league. Is he up for debate for the best pitcher in the league? Or where does he stand. Fill me in, same with Merrill Kelly as well
Anthony Franco
3:51
He's clearly below Gerrit Cole for me but I'd be open to the argument that he fits anywhere else in the top 10
Gallen, that is
3:53
I'd probably take a few other guys (Wheeler, maybe Gausman, Webb and Strider) over him, but he's in that range. Merrill's a #2 guy for me, guessing he'd be in the 30-45 range if I made a full list
joe
3:53
What’s the possibility that the Dbacks reunite with Pham? I feel like he’s a great fit for them
Anthony Franco
3:54
He shouldn't be the starting left fielder but if they bring him back for a year and like $8MM to rotate through the corner outfield and DH, that seems viable
Xerostomia
3:54
I know they have been focusing on RHH, but since the trade deadline, I think the lack of punch from LHH side was the issue. Smith/Peterson lack punch. Fletcher/McCarthy being injured was an issue and trading Rojas/Canzone has deplete essentially all LHH. This lack of punch is easily seen when we stack a bunch of RHH against RHP (like last night), and they cannot get the job done. As such, I think getting a middle of the order bat like Brandon Belt, or JD Martinez would be a great help as both hit RHP well.
Anthony Franco
3:55
Either Belt or JDM as short-term DH options make sense. Belt likely limited to one year, think JDM is getting two
Jorge78
3:56
Is there any hope for Kyle Lewis or is this what he is?  Thanks!
Anthony Franco
3:57
There's still offensive ability in there but I don't have any faith he'll stay healthy unfortunately
Bochy(Bocce)
3:57
On pitchers, of course D-Backs have to add a 4th or even 5th starter, but on relievers like Kevin Ginkel who has good command on pitching, would it be possible to convert him to a starter from within or elevate him to closer if Paul Sewald departs from the team? If the latter, then Andrew Saalfrank or someone else can be the 8th inning guy.
Anthony Franco
3:58
The Rays have done this with a few guys but I don't think it's realistic for Ginkel, who has never started a game in either his major or minor league career
no ring for me
3:58
Who do you think some realistic trade targets are at 3B/SP/DH for the diamondbacks? I'm operating under the assumption at least one of pham or gurriel is back but I think the offense could use more pop. Maybe a goldschmidt reunion?
Anthony Franco
3:59
Mentioned a few rotation trade targets in prior questions. Could throw Spencer Turnbull, Patrick Sandoval (who somebody mentioned in a question that I lost in the queue) or Adrian Houser in there
4:00
Not a ton of obvious trade candidates at third base. Angels could move old pal Brandon Drury. Jorge Polanco's a longer shot trade candidate but Minnesota has a decent amount of infield depth. He's more of a second baseman but played some third this year and could probably handle it
4:01
Alright I have to cap this one right at an hour. Busy day for us as Day One of the offseason and I have to take the news coverage over from Darragh
Sorry for the questions I couldn't address. If I didn't get to yours, you can reach out on Twitter @affranco10. I'll try to get back to you on there
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