Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen is making steady progress as he works through his offseason to-do list.
Upgrade at third base? Done with the trade for Eugenio Suárez. Acquire a starting pitcher? Check that one off with the signing of Eduardo Rodriguez.
Still, one task remains: Finding that right-handed power bat, which Hazen has said will either play a corner or be a designated hitter. He also expects this to be the result of a free-agent signing.
There has been speculation the D-backs have interest in four possible designated hitters: Rhys Hoskins, old friend J.D. Martinez, Jorge Soler, and Justin Turner. Jack Sommers has done a breakdown of the D-backs’ current financial commitments, writing that they have enough remaining money to add a hitter, even as the team will probably surpass its previous spending.
So, let’s consider the possibilities. (All salary projections are from MLB Trade Rumors.)