Arizona Diamondbacks (93-69)

Additions

RHP Brad Boxberger (acquired from Rays), RHP Yoshihisa Hirano (acquired in free agency), RHP Neftali Feliz (signed to minor-league deal), C Alex Avila (acquired in free agency), OF Jarrod Dyson (acquired in free agency),

Subtractions

OF J.D. Martinez (signed with Red Sox), RHP Fernando Rodney (signed with Twins), C Chris Iannetta (signed with Rockies), INF Adam Rosales (signed with Phillies), RHP David Hernandez (signed with Reds), OF Gregor Blanco (signed with Giants), INF Brandon Drury (traded to Yankees), LHP Anthony Banda (traded to Rays)

The Diamonbacks were a club that did not make many headlines during the 2017-2018 offseason. With minor additions to the bullpen, it is clear the DBacks are hoping to improve their pitching in the late innings. However, they already had solid performances from the pen in 2017 pitching to a 3.78 ERA, which was the fifth best in the Major Leagues.

Still, the DBacks brought former all-star closer Brad Boxberger aboard early in the offseason in a trade with the Rays, and the club also signed Japanese star Yoshihisa Hirano. Hirano, 34, is competing for the closer job this season, and in 11 seasons in Japan, he pitched to a 3.10 ERA with 156 saves. As a failed starter, Hirano has enjoyed success in the bullpen that the DBacks hope will continue in the MLB.

Though the Diamondbacks made some minor moves, their biggest headline came from a player in which they lost. Arizona was in the hunt to resign outfielder J.D. Martinez this offseason, though the star who the club traded for in the middle of the season ultimately elected to sign with the Red Sox. Looking to save payroll, the DBacks passed on the opportunity to bring a potential MVP candidate back for the foreseeable future.

To rebound from Martinez’s decision, the Diamondbacks were then part of a three-team deal that sent Brandon Drury to New York, and Steven Souza Jr. to Arizona as the headliners of the deal. The soon-to-be 29-year-old hit 30 bombs in 2017, and he also stole 16 bases as he has become a 20-20 threat in the outfield. He is not quite the hitter that Martinez is, but he should provide better defense in right field.

Aside from Martinez, many of the players the Diamondbacks lost were minor-contributors at best. Though it may appear as though they lost a decent amount of players, one could make the argument that while the Diamondbacks may not have gotten much better this offseason, they also did not get much worse.

Being led by Paul Goldschmidt and a solid core around him, the Diamondbacks should once again contend for a Wild Card spot in the National League. This was a club that won 93 games a season ago and beat the Rockies in the Wild Card Game, so they will look to build on that success as they head into this season.