Arizona Diamondbacks: Do not expect much movement

During the winter meetings this week, the Arizona Diamondbacks will likely not be as active as other teams.

In any discussion, these days regarding outfielder J. D. Martinez, the Arizona Diamondbacks, his last employer, remain a distant thought.

All the rumor mills and spin doctors have Martinez, an unrestricted free agent, heading to the Boston Red Sox. That presumes to fill a power gap in which the Red Sox, in 2017, finished last in the American League in home runs and only the second time since 1934.

The significant, and perhaps the only factor in determining Martinez’s destination, is money. His new agent, Scott Boros, has reportedly opened the bidding at $200 million for a long-term deal on a yet-to-be-determined length of the contract. That clearly paces the Diamondbacks, considered “a small market team” apparently out of the realm of possibility.

If there is any consolation regarding the Diamondbacks’ potential loss of Martinez, it could be an axiom used in the financial industry that past performance is no guarantee of future performance.

That was the assessment of the 2017 season offered by first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. Meeting with the media the day after the Arizona Diamondbacks were eliminated from post-season play by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Goldschmidt worried about the composition of the 2018 team, and whether those players donning Sedona Red would perform to a similar level as the 2017 playoff team.

At any rate, the loss of Martinez will not likely send Arizona GM Mike Hazen into a panic mode. Though the Diamondbacks will lose a positive influence in the clubhouse, a solid teammate and student of the game, Hazen indicated he would move forward.

Regarding a replacement for Martinez, Hazen will likely stay in-house. Don’t expect the Diamondbacks to be active in finding a similar bat and personality through the open market. Instead, Hazen will probably give Yasmany Tomas, coming off a last-season surgery, right of first refusal in left field and move David Peralta back to right.

When Martinez was acquired just after the All-Star game, the Miami native took over in right field. That forced manager Torey Lovullo to move Peralta to left. In the past, Peralta made it clear he prefers right field, and the Diamondbacks hope that Tomas is not a defensive liability in left field.

If the Diamondbacks are truly competitive in the Martinez sweepstakes, two players with huge contracts, pitcher Zack Greinke and Tomas, could restructure their contracts and free money for Martinez. That scenario could arise during the meetings this week here.

If Hazen is out to strengthen the club, it’s likely on the mound. One member of the 2017 bullpen is not returning, and the Diamondbacks did not offer a contract to veteran right-hander J. J. Hoover. Instead, Hazen attempted to strengthen left-handers.

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Here, T. J. McFarland was signed to a one-year deal, and late last week, Hazen claimed lefty Henry Owens on waivers from the Red Sox.

At this point, both are on the 40-man roster but will make to make the 2018 team out of spring training. The status of veteran lefty Jorge De La Rosa remains uncertain.

That’s in addition to acquiring righty Brad Boxbeger last month from the Rays. Plus, Hazen says he will try and sign his 2017 closer Fernando Rodney to a contract, but there appears to be little movement to date on the Rodney front.

Then, there is the destination of Archie Bradley, who told Call to the Pen when the season ended he would like to start. That’s coming off a stellar season as one of the best set-up relievers in the game. Should Bradley move to the rotation, which does not appear likely, then Hazen will have to find another set-up reliever.

One factor in the decision where to land Bradley is the reliever’s healthy relationship with Lovullo. After the season ended, Bradley indicated he wants to play for no other manager than Lovullo and will take direction from his manager.

It’s likely Lovullo will conclude Bradley’s ultimate value to the team remains in the bullpen.

Next: Does Brad Boxberger add value?

For now, the Diamondbacks will likely sit on the sidelines during the winter meetings, and hold their cards close to the vest. Needs for the Arizona Diamondbacks are not enormous, and Lovullo, coming off the NL manager-of-the-year, could juggle and find the margin of production in the absence of Martinez.