The Arizona Diamondbacks are looking to rebuild after a disappointing season in 2018, and that apparently means they are willing to trade away their biggest stars this winter.
Bob Nightengale of USA Today is reporting that the D-Backs will put “virtually everyone” on the trade block this offseason. While it makes sense that they would want to trade starting pitcher Zack Greinke and the more than $30 million per season he is owed through 2021, Nightengale notes that Arizona will also entertain offers for Paul Goldschmidt.
The Arizona #Dbacks could be the most popular team this winter among GMs with the Dbacks expect to strip down the team and rebuild, with virtually everyone on the trade block. They'd love to move Zack Greinke, and will even listen on franchise icon Paull Goldschmidt.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) October 10, 2018
Goldschmidt is Arizona’s best player, as he has appeared in 155 or more games in each of the past four seasons and averaged around 32 home runs and 100 RBI during that span. The first baseman hits in the neighborhood of .300 every year and is one of the Diamondbacks’ most popular players, so trading him may irritate some of the team’s fanbase.
The D-Backs did the admirable thing by not laying down late in the season and impacting the playoff race, but they clearly feel they are heading in the wrong direction after they won just 82 games this year. Starting fresh makes sense if they don’t believe they have the pieces to contend.
