MLB Power Rankings: Post Winter Meetings

7. Arizona Diamondbacks

It’s been mostly crickets out of the Arizona Diamondbacks so far this offseason except for a few stray trade rumors. Right-hander Zack Grienke’s name has been floated around as a potential trade candidate, but he has the richest contract in MLB history on an annual basis. The Diamondbacks might have some sticker shock over Greinke’s $206.5-million deal now that they’ve paid him for two years, but he was very good in 2017 and led one of the league’s best rotations.

Greinke bounced back from an ugly first year in Arizona to finish the year 17-7 with a 3.20 ERA and 9.6 strikeouts per nine. Now 34, Greinke looked like a different pitcher last year with increased use of his slider. He remains a great athlete and won his fourth Gold Glove in a row and finished fourth in the NL Cy Young vote. The Diamondbacks had to pay a premium to woo the right-hander away from the Los Angeles Dodgers, but they should not cut bait so fast. Greinke is still a very good pitcher, albeit an overpaid one.

The Diamondbacks stayed involved in the Manny Machado sweepstakes until it became clear that the Baltimore Orioles were not blown away by any of the offers they were receiving. Arizona was reluctant to part with third baseman Jake Lamb in a Machado deal. The two players are not on the same level, but Lamb is cheaper with several years of team control left.

J.D. Martinez had a historic two-plus months with the Diamondbacks, quietly matching Giancarlo Stanton homer for homer. He fit perfectly as Paul Goldschmidt’s running mate, but the money won’t be there. Arizona is projected to approach a franchise-record $130 million in payroll next year — without Martinez.