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D-backs hold intriguing chips for Meetings
- Updated: December 1, 2016
PHOENIX — Last year the D-backs were the talk of the Winter Meetings, having signed Zack Greinke to a $206.5 million pact just days before the annual event and swinging a big deal for right-hander Shelby Miller once it began.
This year, the D-backs will be under new management at the Winter Meetings, which run Monday through Thursday in Washington, with general manager Mike Hazen taking over for the dismissed Dave Stewart.
MLB.com and MLB Network will have wall-to-wall coverage of the 2016 Winter Meetings from the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center outside Washington, D.C. Fans can watch live streaming of all news conferences and manager availability on MLB.com, including the Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 8 at 7 a.m. MT.
• Hot Stove Tracker
Hazen has one major move under his belt. The night before Thanksgiving, he completed a five-player deal with the Mariners that netted the D-backs right-hander Taijuan Walker and infielder Ketel Marte.
The D-backs figure to be in plenty of discussions at the Winter Meetings as Hazen looks to retool a team that lost 93 games in 2016. Arizona has some trade chips that could prove to be attractive as the free-agent market begins to shake out.
Club needs
Bullpen: The D-backs dealt veteran backend pieces Tyler Clippard and Brad Ziegler before last year’s Trade Deadline and another late-inning arm, Daniel Hudson, is a free agent. The D-backs do have some intriguing young arms in the bullpen, but they would benefit from some more experience at the backend. Don’t expect Arizona to be in the hunt for free agents Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen or Mark Melancon, but it could look to improve this area via trade.
• Hazen making moves to improve pitching, OF defense
Outfield defense: One of the reasons the D-backs finished last in the Majors in ERA in 2016 was poor defense from its outfield. While some of that will certainly be rectified by having A.J. Pollock and David Peralta healthy for a full season, …
