– Last Updated on November 21, 2022 4:49 pm
Diamondbacks 2016 Season Preview
Ready to check out our 2016 Arizona Diamondbacks predictions? The Diamondbacks finished out of the race in 2015. They simply did not have enough pitching and the lineup was not good enough surrounding an MVP level of performance by Paul Goldschmidt.
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They made a couple of big splashes to try to rectify the former but will it be enough to compete in 2016?
They landed the biggest free agent on the market in Zack Greinke which also took him away from a rival. I am not sure it is enough to make them a contender though, just improved.
2016 MLB Team Previews
- Diamondbacks National League West Future Odds: 3/1
- Diamondback National League Pennant Future Odds: 14/1
- Diamondbacks 2016 World Series Futures Odds: 25/1
Key Additions
SP Zach Greinke
SP Shelby Miller
SS Jean Segura
Depending on who you ask the Diamondbacks made the biggest splash in free agency by landing Greinke.
There is no doubting his ability but the price tag was significant. They also significantly upgraded their rotation by trading for Shelby Miller.
The talent is there but you have to wonder about the fact that he has already been traded twice already in his short career.
Segura is a speedy upgrade at short and an underrated get.
Key Losses
SP Jhoulys Chacin
SP Jeremy Hellickson
OF Ender Inciarte
Inciarte was a nice piece but not exactly the kind of player that the team is going to be missing too much. The key to the offseason was upgrading the rotation and they definitely did that.
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Hellickson and Chacin are average at best. They won’t be missed.
2016 Diamondbacks Predictions – Projected Lineup:
- Jean Segura – 2B
- AJ Pollack – OF
- Paul Goldschmidt – 1B
- David Peralta – OF
- Wellington Castillo – C
- Jake Lamb – 3B
- Socrates Brito – OF
- Nick Ahmed – SS
The Diamondbacks lineup features just one star – Paul Goldschmidt – and he just might be the best hitter in the National League. AJ Pollack is also a nice player but I am not sold he is elite.
He does a lot of things well but none are at that level.
I like the addition of Segura, one of the rare speedsters in the league. If they let him run he could lead the league in steals and help set the table. I don’t like the protection they have for Goldy.
Peralta is far from an established slugger in the four hole.
The bottom half of the lineup looks pretty bad on paper.
Playing in Arizona may help that group achieve some numbers but there is not a single player in the bottom four with a track record and most of their ceilings are not very impressive.
2016 Diamondbacks Predictions – Projected Rotation:
- Zack Greinke
- Shelby Miller
- Patrick Corbin
- Robbie Ray
- Rubby De La Rosa
Greinke is one of the best pitchers in the game but I think you are going to see his numbers suffer from moving to a hitter’s park (yes I know he has pitched well at Chase). I can’t say how much but expect it.
The rest of the rotation is very young. Miller and Corbin are high potential guys but neither is a sure thing yet. Both will benefit from not having to be the ace of the team.
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Ray and De La Rosa are unproven and it would not surprise if both are in and out throughout the season if they have options. The rotation is better than it was a year ago but still not elite.
2016 Diamondbacks Predictions – Projected Bullpen:
- Tyler Clippard
- Brad Ziegler
- Daniel Hudson
If you play fantasy baseball you know all about Clippard. He has always puts up great numbers in a setup role but this season he will be finishing games more often.
I don’t expect much of a dip in his performance. The rest of the pen is adequate but certainly not imposing. Hudson won 16 games for the D-Backs in 2011 but is trying to stay in the Majors as a reliever at this point.
2016 Arizona Diamondbacks Season Predictions
Arizona made some of the biggest moves of the offseason. They should definitely be improved but all of that movement may have just guaranteed that they will finish ahead of Colorado and San Diego.
I am not sure that it moves them ahead of the Giants or the Dodgers.
This team plays in a hitter’s park but they are not going to be mashing the ball. Last year they were in the Top Ten on offense but that was with a lot going right and Goldy and Pollock almost never missing a game.
If those guys have any regression or miss time this is going to be a very ordinary offensive club very quickly.
In terms of betting I am going to be looking to fade Greinke. Everything came together this past season so much so that things just have to regress.
I know his numbers are awesome at Chase Field but in most cases that park is a hindrance not a help and we will see that ultimately. I am not saying he is going to go 9-15 but even is he is just 14-8 there will be bets to be cashed.
Overall I am not as high on this group as others.
What do you think of our 2016 Arizona Diamondbacks predictions? Comments are welcome below.
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