D-backs unable to fulfill promise in 2016

PHOENIX — The D-backs went into 2016 looking like contenders, based on a splashy offseason that included the additions of free-agent ace Zack Greinke and right-hander Shelby Miller.

But after a season filled with disappointment and underachievement — including a 69-93 record and a fourth-place finish in the National League West — the organization is eager to flip the calendar to 2017.

Arizona will do so with a new general manager and manager following the dismissals of Dave Stewart and Chip Hale.

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“It’s time to turn the page and hit reset and see if we can’t get going in the right direction,” D-backs team president and CEO Derrick Hall said in announcing the changes. “We owe that to the fans and we owe that to the organization.”

Before we look ahead to 2017, let’s take a glance at the key storylines from the past year.

5. Bad break

The D-backs led the Cactus League in wins, they pounded the ball offensively, and with position-player and bullpen battles that went down to the wire, the local buzz was building.

That all changed three days before Opening Day when D-backs outfielder A.J. Pollock slid …

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