Arizona Diamondbacks: Welcome to the world of the modern-day rebuild

With the Wednesday trade of one of the game’s best first basemen, the Arizona Diamondbacks appeared to have officially joined the rebuilding club.

The Arizona Diamondbacks rumors were out there and one of them quickly came true. Paul Goldschmidt was traded to a team that seems to be perpetually in the playoff conversation.

In exchange for Goldschmidt, the Cardinals traded Luke Weaver, Carson Kelly, a minor league player, and a selection in Competitive Balance Round B in the 2019 draft. Since the D-backs seriously need arms in the rotation, getting Weaver is a good thing. But, he’s not Goldy.

And, these players will not bring a championship to Chase Field. At least not in 2019.

Goldschmidt is a class act. While he is expected to fit in well with the Cardinal Way, Diamondbacks fans are left with very little for the upcoming season. That feeling of dread is all too common in today’s baseball world. It tends to happen just like this trade happened – kind of like ripping off a bandage.

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But instead of the wound being healed, it’s new and heavily bleeding.

And, it doesn’t get better. Not for a while. As a fan of the Detroit Tigers, I know exactly what you are feeling right now. When Justin Verlander was sent off to Houston in August 2017, it was a clear sign that the team I had known for many years was never going to be the same again. The Tigers fan base is still struggling with the move. All they’ll have left of the epic 2014 team (Robbie Ray was on it) that never quite made it is Miguel Cabrera, who missed nearly all of 2018.

For now, you – Diamondbacks fan – still have Zack Greinke. The keywords are “for now.” The contending teams seem to be ready to make deals and Greinke is still good. On a positive note,  Jake Lamb should be back. And, yes – Nick Ahmed won a Gold Glove.

When the season starts, you might need to use a score card for a few games. But, eventually, you will get to know the new guys. At some point, other veterans might get traded and the team will resemble something that looks like a Triple-A team. But, the ticket prices will stay the same. At least the original ticket prices. You should be able to find some cheap ones in the secondary market. Or you could always jump on the Ballpark Pass train and get into home games for low prices.

It’s really not that fun. But, it’s my understanding that in a few years, it should be.

It’s going to be a long few seasons for D-backs fans. But, know that you – the fan – are not alone. Along with the Tigers, the White Sox, Orioles, Royals, Mariners, Marlins, Reds, A’s, and Padres are in the process. That’s an awful lot of teams that are already accepting the reality that the playoffs are not in their 2019 futures.

You can always watch Goldy play when the Cardinals come to town. It’ll sting a bit. But, just for a while.