Fansided

Top 10 MLB sleeper teams for 2017

By Joshua Sadlock

Sep 19, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) fields the ball in the sixth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) fields the ball in the sixth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 29, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) is greeted in the dugout after scoring a run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the seventh inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 29, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) is greeted in the dugout after scoring a run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the seventh inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Arizona Diamondbacks

Oh boy, did the Diamondbacks go for it last winter, signing Zack Greinke to a $206-million contract and trading away Dansby Swanson and Ender Inciarte for Shelby Miller. With a star-studded lineup led by the best star you’ve never actually seen play live, Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona just needed some pitching to put itself over the top, or so went the reasoning from Dave Stewart and Tony La Russa.

The pitching never came together last season. The Diamondbacks lost 93 games. Greinke battled injuries and ineffectiveness, and Miller was a complete mess. Arizona’s pitchers finished the year with a 5.09 ERA, the worst in the league. Their starters had a 5.19 ERA, which was better than only the Minnesota Twins. The only pitcher the Diamondbacks added over the winter was Taijuan Walker, who was inconsistent with the Seattle Mariners. Trading an All-Star shortstop in Jean Segura who had 20 home runs and 33 steals in 2016 for a pitcher who has an ERA close to 4.50 the last two years (in a pitcher’s park, no less) is less than ideal.

The lineup will have to thump in a big way this season if Arizona is going to contend, and there is no reason to believe they won’t put up runs in bunches. Goldschmidt is a lock for a .300/.400/.500 season with close to 30 home runs and 30 steals. Getting A.J. Pollock and David Peralta back for full seasons will be key. Yasmany Tomas broke out for 31 home runs last year, and could continue to get better. If the Diamondbacks win enough 9-8 games, they could contend this year.

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