The Arizona Diamondbacks have been extremely aggressive so far this offseason, which has vastly improved the roster Chip Hale will pencil in next season.
In addition to landing top free-agent starter Zack Greinke, the D-backs surrendered a big haul to acquire righty Shelby Miller, which stacks two of the top righties in the National League atop Hale's rotation.
"Obviously Zack Greinke is a huge acquisition for us," Hale said Wednesday at the Winter Meetings. "Being able to acquire Shelby Miller is another key. With Zack, Shelby, Patrick Corbin coming back fully healthy this year and Rubby (De La Rosa) and Robbie (Ray), it's a pretty exciting staff."
Arizona is optimistic that Greinke, who is tabbed as the D-backs' Opening Day starter to kick off 2016, will be able to have an influence on the team larger than just his outings every fifth game.
"I think he's not a real vocal leader, but he's a leader by example," Hale said. "He's a student of the game. And that's one thing he indicated to our pitching coach is that he feels like he can be that missing link, not necessarily being a coach, but a guy that's a player that's done it and can prod some of the younger guys and move them along to become better pitchers."
Other observations from Hale in Wednesday's media session:
--A.J. Pollock will likely be the usual leadoff hitter -- a role Ender Inciarte, traded to the Braves in the Shelby Miller deal, filled for much of the 2015 season. Pollock had a breakout season in 2015 while batting second, third and fourth in the lineup.
--Hale was sad to see Inciarte and top prospects Dansby Swanson and Aaron Blair get traded, but that's the nature of baseball. "YOu lose guys you really like, really cared about. . . . It's hard to lose family members."
--Daniel Hudson's role is still to be determined this spring, but Hale is comfortable with him pitching in the eighth inning as a setup man to Brad Ziegler. There's still some thought that Hudson might like to compete for a role in the starting rotation.
--He sees left-handed hitting David Peralta as an every-day starter in left field, with only occasional rest against especially tough left-handers.
--He thinks Socrates Brito, who spent most of 2015 at Double-A Mobile, is capable of being the fourth outfielder behind Peralta, Pollock and Yasmany Tomas. "Socrates Brito, he's got the right heartbeat," Hale said. "I'm very comfortable with those four outfielders."
--He expects more consistent playing time in right field will lead to a big improvement from Tomas in his second season.
--The competition at second base, shortstop and third base is "wide open." Chris Owings, Nick Ahmed and Jake Lamb are returning starters, but Hale said Brandon Drury could force his way into the lineup with a strong spring.
--While not on the same scale as last spring, he expects lots of competition for spots on the pitching staff. Youngsters Archie Bradley and Zack Godley will be in the mix for the final two spots in the rotation, and Godley could end up with a role in the bullpen.
--After carrying 13 pitchers for much of last season, he expects that a stronger starting rotation and starters who can pitch deeper into games will lead to a roster of 12 pitchers and 13 position players.
