Arizona Diamondbacks
Entering the 2016 season, the Diamondbacks looked poised to be the first team to usurp the Dodgers in the NL West in four years. After stealing away Zack Greinke on a six-year, $206.5 million contract over the offseason and making a blockbuster trade with Atlanta for Shelby Miller, many were calling Arizona the winners of the offseason. Then breakout star A.J. Pollock broke his elbow during Spring Training. Greinke and Miller both struggled mightily, and suddenly the Dbacks find themselves five games under .500 and 11.5 games back in the division.
It is becoming increasingly apparent that this is not the playoff-caliber team that so many expected them to be, even with Paul Goldschmidt putting up MVP-caliber numbers. The offense still has a major hole at shortstop, and Patrick Corbin’s return from Tommy John surgery has not been graceful. The Dodgers and Giants have both risen to the top of the National League, and neither team is showing any signs of slowing down.
Meanwhile, bullpen arms Brad Ziegler and Tyler Clippard have been bounced around as trade candidates. Ziegler hits free agency after the season, and would be a cheap rental for teams not willing to go all in on other top arms on the market. With ownership likely to expect a bounce-back year in 2017 once Pollock returns, don’t anticipate too many long-term pieces to be on the move. However, the Diamondbacks have already shot themselves in the leg with all their injuries, and will likely be sellers by the deadline.
Next: It's Time to Rebuild in Anaheim