PHOENIX -- The Diamondbacks have only begun their remake. Three trades in three weeks, it seems, is just scratching the surface.
The D-backs continue to work on several fronts as the winter meetings approach on Monday.
-- General Manager Dave Stewart on Friday said he remains in the market for a left-handed bat to fit in a right-handed-heavy lineup; outfielder Mark Trumbo is an untouchable piece; and free agent Yasmany Tomas will be given a look at third base in spring training.
-- President/CEO Derrick Hall said the D-backs are looking to trim payroll in part after the six-year, $68.5 million agreement with Tomas, whose deal is expected to be finalized any day. The D-backs have about $102 million committed to salary in 2015, including expected arbitration figures to their six eligible players, and Hall said he would like to get that figure in the $90 million-$95 million range. They spent about $110 million last year.
"Most teams look to find ways to create flexibility so they can make other moves," Hall said. "We are definitely going to do that, because we have a desire to make more moves."
After finalizing the acquisition of Robbie Ray and infield prospect Domingo Leyba for Didi Gregorius on Friday, Stewart said adding offense is his next target.
"A middle of the order, left-handed bat," Stewart said. "A fourth-spot hitter, someone to sandwich in between Trumbo and Goldy (Paul Goldschmidt). We need a guy who can play every day. The next thing is to identify who is available and make sure it doesn't cost too much to get him."
If Tomas can play third base, the D-backs most likely will target an outfielder, even though they already are deep there with Trumbo, A.J. Pollock, Ender Inciarte, David Peralta and Cody Ross. Calls about Trumbo are met with deaf ears.
"Some teams have called lately asking if we'd be interested in moving him and the answer remains the same. No. We have no interest in moving Trumbo," Stewart said.
The easiest way to trim salary, of course, would be to move a player with an expensive salary, and the D-backs have several -- Miguel Montero (owed $40 million through 2017), Aaron Hill (owed $24 million through 2016), Trevor Cahill ($15 million this season) and Ross ($8.5 million this season. The D-backs could end up paying some of a traded player's salary to make any deal work.
While two-time All-Star Montero would command the most in return, Stewart said nothing is hot there.
"Believe me, if I was motivated to move him, he would probably be gone by now," Stewart said. "Right now, I'm not motivated to do anything. Our ownership hasn't told us that we have to move him. For today, as far as I can tell you, he's going to be part of this team."
Cincinnati expressed interest in outfielder David Peralta, according to reports, but Stewart said the D-backs like the protection players such as Peralta and Inciarte provide and is not inclined to move any of his outfielders.
While Friday's trade unblocked the middle infield, a shift of Tomas would add another glove at third to go with Jake Lamb and Aaron Hill. Lamb spent the final two months of the season with the D-backs, and Hill was used at third in the final month. Like outfielders Peralta and Inciarte, Lamb has minor league options remaining, and if Tomas works out at third base, Lamb might be better served to start the season in the minors.
"In my opinion, and I'm an old-school guy, it never hurts a kid to go back to the minor leagues and learn to play the game a little bit better," Stewart said. "But once again, it is a competition. There is nothing that is a given here. Guys come out and you compete, and in the end if he is the best guy for the job he's going to have it."
The Tomas agreement is in the hands of Tomas' agent, Stewart said, and the sides are working through the process.
"Really, a lot of it just has to do with how we can get this thing done with the agent," said Stewart, a former agent himself. "Based on my experience with the kid, I think he is ready to come and play. It's just getting through the hurdles with his representation."
Stewart saw Tomas play in games in the Dominican Republic, and like many scouts was taken by his power.
"He showed unbelievable power," Stewart said. "Short swing; athletic. I think he is going to fit well."
At the same time, Tomas could start in the minors, as Yasiel Puig did with the Dodgers in 2012, depending on how things go in spring training.
"We're not opposed to sending him back, basically to get him acclimated to playing here and playing in our system," Stewart said. "We're going to let his spring training talk."
Tomas, 6-foot-1 and 252 pounds, has reshaped his body some recently, Stewart said. Tomas ran a 6.6-second 60-yard dash for Stewart in the Dominican Republic two weeks ago, well above average for a power hitter.
"I think once he gets on the field and starts playing on a regular basis ... and you have to remember, he has not really played baseball for awhile," Stewart said. "Once he does that, his body will start to improve even a little bit more."
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