2016 Cactus League Evaluation

SCOTTSDALE - Arizona's fans are not going to be happy, unless they go to games just to see Goldschmidt do Goldschmidt things. The team is in total teardown mode with tens of millions in expiring contracts freeing up their finances for the Winter of 2016-2017. The best news is that the Diamondbacks may see some glimpse of it's future in the form of early season call ups, but most of the high impact prospects are likely to stay in the minors.

SPRING ANSWERS

Paul Goldschmidt - Paul Goldschmidt is likely to continue being excellent, and he's likely to be in the MVP conversation all season. He is going to have issues getting the attention others might get in more powerful offenses, but a 100-30-100 season is definitely in the cards. A first baseman stealing 10-15 bases and hitting .300+ should be a surprise, but people seem to be overlooking Goldschmidt. He's going to be steady at the plate and a decent defender, but he won't get the media coverage Josh Donaldson is going to enjoy

Young Outfielders - There was some competition for RF, but the CF-RF slots were Eddie Rosario and Micheal Taylor's to lose. The young outfielders are coming off decent rookie seasons and management is hoping they make the leap to long term starters. Taylor will have some plate discipline issues to overcome, he was clearly overwhelmed after showing decent discipline in the minors, but the upside is a 20-20 hitter who can handle CF. Rosario didn't put up the numbers Taylor did, but he did lead the majors with 15 triples, and he hit a respectable .267. If Taylor and Rosario can take a few more walks in 2016 it will help their case going forward.

SUMMER QUESTIONS 

Gio Gonzalez - Is Gio Gonzalez going to be a Diamondback after the All-Star break? Is he even going to be on the team after this article is posted? He's already been involved in a trade that fell through and there are a number of teams looking for starting pitching. His time in Arizona is probably coming to an end, and based on the stories floating around at various media outlets he's ready to move on as well.

Is Gonzalez on his way out?

Jake Lamb - Lamb has been decent in his major league stints, but he's clearly not going to learn much more in the minors. 3B is all his with Tomas leaving town, and the Diamondbacks aren't going to be bringing in anyone else. With nobody in the minors close to coming up, Lamb won't be looking over his shoulder. Will he make the leap, or is Arizona going to need to cut bait with him like Owings?

Middle Infield - The Diamondbacks may look at playing a bucket of balls at SS, if they even field someone. Dan Uggla, who is still in the majors for some reason, is manning 2B and looks like he might hang up his cleats at an moment. There has even been talk of putting OF Alfredo Marte at SS, with Maicer Izturis suddenly announcing his retirement the Diamondbacks are hurting in the middle infield. Perhaps they shouldn't have traded Chris Owings.