MLB Hot Stove: Arizona Diamondbacks preview

After a season of improvement, the Arizona Diamondbacks are poised to make a big move this offseason.

The Arizona Diamondbacks entered the 2015 season with few expectations and were never really in the hunt for a playoff spot in the top-heavy National League. However, the season can still be considered a success for a young, promising team.

Arizona quietly put together a 79-83 campaign, a 15-win improvement from the 2014 season. With such an improvement in the first full year of a new front office that includes Chief Baseball Officer Tony La Russa and a promising young core, the Diamondbacks should be feeling plenty optimistic about the future.

Paul Goldschmidt and A.J. Pollock performed an elite level to lead an offense that ranked near the top of the NL in several categories. While many of Arizona’s problems were on the pitching staff, the team did get some positive developments from Robbie Ray’s breakout and Patrick Corbin’s return from Tommy John surgery.

The key for the Diamondbacks will be surrounding that young core with the right talent. With an opportunity to win in the near future, Arizona could be a dark horse candidate to land one of the top free agents this winter.

Arizona has already made one noteworthy move, sending starter Jeremy Hellickson to the Philadelphia Phillies for minor league pitcher Sam McWilliams. Shelby Miller has also been mentioned as a possible trade target, although the rumored asking price of Pollock is likely too high.

The team doesn’t stand to lose much this offseason, with relievers David Hernandez and Jhoulys Chacin standing out as the most important free agents from last year’s roster. Still, the Diamondbacks have some clear holes to fill, so standing pat will not help them towards contention in 2016.

Competing with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West won’t be easy, but Arizona could look very promising heading into next season with the right moves this winter.

Next: Offense