The Diamondbacks will take steps to try and keep Ketel Marte healthier in 2020, GM Mike Hazen told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, including “getting him off his feet at various points in time” during the season, and investigating “offseason/spring training type of regimens, physically, that we can help him strengthen to put himself in a better position coming into the season.” Something that doesn’t appear to be on the table is moving Marte back to second base, as while Hazen didn’t entirely rule out the idea, “I think how he fits onto the major-league team is a tremendous luxury.” Marte’s transition to regular center field duty went swimmingly from a defensive standpoint, as he posted an excellent +7 Defensive Runs Saved and +10.8 UZR/150 over 687 2/3 innings at the position. He also saw significant action at second base and a bit of time at shortstop, so between that versatility and a huge offensive performance (32 homers and a .329/.389/.592 slash line), Marte was one of the most valuable players of 2019 —- his 7.1 fWAR ranks sixth in all of baseball.
There was a bit of an injury cost, however, as Marte was shut down last week due to a stress reaction in his back. While the stress reaction wasn’t terribly serious, keeping the superstar healthy is of the utmost importance for the D’Backs. Hazen said the Diamondbacks won’t be “closing ourselves off to what the offseason will bring,” so Marte’s positional usage could perhaps be altered again should Arizona have the chance to acquire another regular center fielder (or second baseman). Marte seems like the best bet to be in center on Opening Day, however, given that landing a center fielder would likely come at a significant financial or trade cost to the D’Backs.
More from around the NL West…
- The Rockies’ troubled pitching situation is examined by The Athletic’s Nick Groke (subscription required), who projects that German Marquez, Kyle Freeland, and Jon Gray will headline the 2020 rotation. The last two spots are up in the air between such names as Peter Lambert, Antonio Senzatela, Jeff Hoffman, Chi Chi Gonzalez, Tim Melville, Rico Garcia, Chris Rusin, and Ryan Castellani. While there’s certainly room for an external addition, the Rockies have now gone several years without signing a veteran to a significant Major League contract — Kyle Kendrick was the last, back in the 2014-15 offseason. It doesn’t seem like this trend will change this winter, as the team doesn’t have much payroll space available (due in part to a lot of ill-fated free agent signings in general in recent years). There’s also the fact that free agent pitchers who have a choice of multiple teams aren’t likely to want to come to Coors Field without a significant overpay.
- Unsurprisingly, several Giants free agents aren’t planning to re-sign with the team until they know who the next manager will be, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle writes. This includes the likes of Madison Bumgarner and Will Smith, who will be two of the more heavily-pursued arms on the market this winter, and also lower-tier free agents like Stephen Vogt, who Schulman noted “seems like the perfect candidate to re-sign as a free agent quickly after the season.” Vogt has hit .264/.311/.492 with 10 homers over 273 PA this season, playing primarily as the backup catcher and also seeing a bit of time as a left fielder and first baseman. Between his valuable bench presence and his ties to the Bay Area, Vogt indeed seems like a good fit for the 2020 roster, and he would “definitely be interested in coming back.” If a new manager isn’t hired until the free agency period begins, however, the Giants would lose their exclusive negotiating window to talk terms with Vogt and other free agents.
- The Giants announced that right-hander Trevor Gott underwent left groin surgery yesterday. Gott’s season was already over due to an elbow strain, and the groin surgery only carries a six-week recovery period, so it shouldn’t impact Gott’s readiness for Spring Training. Gott posted a 4.44 ERA, 9.7 K/9, and 3.35 K/BB rate over 52 2/3 innings out of San Francisco’s bullpen this season, though ERA indicators (3.13 FIP, 4.06 xFIP, 3.74 SIERA) point out that Gott performed better than his 4.44 ERA would imply.
Gott was a good Giants get – not good he got a groin gaffe but great he got to get his good arm going again. Gott gets guys out and is great at getting guys to ground out.
In Arnold voice: “You must be very proud of yourself…”
“It doesn’t seem like this trend will change this winter, as the team doesn’t have much payroll space available (due in part to a lot of ill-fated free agent signings in general in recent years).”
And Jeff Bridich just goes along his merry way as if his moves aren’t the issue.
Giants have about 120 million on the books this winter thanks to malancon going to Braves so there is a lot of room on the books FYI that’s about 90 million in payroll space.
Bridich is the Rockies GM, BobbyJohn is referencing Colorado.
The Dbacks should consider selling high on Marte this offseason. He’s controlled for 3 more years but they likely won’t be serious contenders in that span and if Marte continues to play at a high level he will price himself out of their range
Might be a bit hard for D-Backs fans to swallow trading Goldschmidt and Marte in back-to-back offseasons. They had a winning season this year too, so I think they need to bank on a healthy season from Weaver and an outside addition or two. The rest of the division is pretty weak right now, but the Padres and Giants won’t be bad forever (sorry Rockies), so now is as good a time as any for them to strike.
Dbacks have zero chance of playing above 500 in the next 5 years.
Sorry, but that’s ridiculous. They just signed Marte to an extension not that long ago; with options for 2023-2024. They have no reason to trade him with the crop of talent currently approaching the Majors from the farm system. It’s hard to say whether the current call-ups are MLB-Quality players, as the jury is still out on Cron, Leyba, Locastro, Rojas, and Vargas; but, next season, at the very least, Kelly, Walker, Flores, Ahmed, Escobar, and Marte each figure to be roughly league average players (give or take some value). Not a bad start for a position player group.
The Dbacks will have a fall back next year as Marte had a career year and Greinke is gone.
I’m Curious to how fast Farhan hires his new manager. As in the off-season they didn’t hire a GM at all. Different positions for sure. And Farhan called the ball on all GM duties. For this season.
But like the article states. The free agent window to sign your own guys. . .
Curious how he manuvers this time in Giants history. As we still don’t know that much about him. But to this point. Has done a fantastic job.
The free agents pickups. Signings. trades. All valuble so far. Even the ones that didn’t work. He made moves to try and find ones that did. Well done Farhan. . .
Dodgers lost Zaidi, had they didn’t fill the GM role either. Might be the new normal?
I think as time goes. Farhan will eventually hire someone. As he brings in more n more of his Own Guys.
For next season I don’t think he needs to make a rash GM hiring either. He is a GM, technically speaking.
As for Managers. . . I honestly have no idea who he’s gonna hire. . .
…….Maybe because he’s in the Organization already,Say Ron Wotus? That would be a sure way to keep Smith,Watson,Vogt,Bum,Etc.
there is no reason Rusin should still be considered an MLB option anywhere in any role.
I would be shocked if Chris Rusin is even in the Rockies system next season. He was outrighted and it’s very unlikely the Rockies will add him back on the 40. He has the service time to become a minor league free agent this off season and go elsewhere.
Marte was absolutely the most underrated player in MLB this year.
Marte isn’t gong anywhere soon. I hope he gets used to center field