1. SS Nick Ahmed
Don’t get me wrong, Nick Ahmed has been as reliable as reliable gets at the shortstop position. Over the past 3 seasons, Nick Ahmed has averaged a .683 OPS and a 10 OAA (Outs Above Average) over the span of 203 games. That OAA is in the top 5 among all shortstops since 2020. It is hard not to like Ahmed. A genuinely good man that is adamant about his walk with God. A solid ball player that stays consistent year in and year out. But unfortunately, there are a couple of problems from the business side of things…
Nick Ahmed is currently 32 years old and is facing the last year of his contract. I am almost certain that Ahmed will be the opening day SS for the Diamondbacks this season. But with his contract coming to a close, and highly anticipated prospect Jordan Lawlar knocking on the door of the big leagues, it is safe to say that Ahmed might be suiting up for a different ball club next season…
2. RP Mark Melancon
Age is once again a factor here as Mark Melancon is set to turn 38 before the regular season starts. The Diamondbacks veteran had a roller coaster of a season in 2022. In 32.2 innings pitched at home, Melancon posted a 2-6 record, a 5.79 ERA, a 1.65 WHIP, and a .280 BAA. In 23.1 innings pitched on the road, however, Melancon produced a solid 3.09 ERA and 1.29 WHIP; and overall, Melancon recorded 18 saves out of 21 opportunities. Those numbers are all over the place…
The Diamondbacks owe Melancon $6 million this upcoming season. GM Mike Hazen and the front office will need to discuss if it is worth paying a veteran reliever that much. Especially when that reliever couldn’t keep his ERA under 4.50 a season ago. All signs are pointing to this being Melancon’s last year in Arizona based on his age, contract, and inconsistency…
3. RP Cole Sulser
In November of 2022, the Diamondbacks claimed Sulser from the Miami Marlins on a one-year deal. This could potentially be a one-and-done situation for Sulser in Arizona. The 32-year-old has been in the big leagues since 2019. In 127.1 innings pitched from 2019-2022, Sulser has averaged a 3.75 ERA. His best season came with the Orioles in 2021 where he went 5-4 with a 2.70 ERA over 63.1 innings. He struggled mightily a season ago with Miami as in 34 innings pitched, he finished the season with a 1-4 record and a 5.29 ERA…
Sulser is definitely a boom-or-bust kind of pitcher. If Sulser has a season that resembles his work from 2021, I could see the D-Backs extending his contract another year or two; reliable bullpen arms are a luxury! But if he struggles as he did last season, it may be a short stay in the sunny state for Sulser…