Dodgers: How the league’s strongest division will impact the NL Champs
2. Arizona Diamondbacks:
2017 Record: 93-69; Won the NL Wild Card Game
My Predicted Record for 2018: 95-67
The Diamondbacks have arrived. In 2017, Arizona did a complete -180 and found themselves headed in the right direction. Robbie Ray was a revelation, and Zack Greinke found his form again. The Dodgers swept the Diamondbacks in the NLDS, but not because Arizona fell into old habits. It was because the Dodgers were unstoppable, and they were the better team.
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That being said, know this; we have not seen the last of this dominant D-Backs team.
So far this offseason, the Diamondbacks haven’t made many significant moves. Free-agent reliever Fernando Rodney recently signed a 1yr/ $4.5 million dollar contract with the Minnesota Twins, and catcher Chris Iannetta has signed a 2yr/ $8.5 million dollar contract, plus an option for 2020, with the Rockies.
One free agent, though, has been at the forefront of every offseason report; J.D Martinez.
Martinez, who Arizona acquired via a mid-season trade with the Detroit Tigers, is the top slugger on the market this offseason. Reports have stated that the D-Backs are indeed trying to resign the outfielder, but it’s no surprise that Martinez has drawn interest from many other teams.
No matter what happens, whether or not the D-Backs can re-sign Martinez, they’re going to challenge the Dodgers in 2018. Like the Rockies, the Diamondbacks are on the rise. Their offense, which led baseball in triples in 2017, is strong, and their rotation is lights out.
In all likelihood, there will be three teams contending for one division title this season, and the road to the World Series may very well go through the west.