So in one signing of Zack Greinke, the Diamondbacks effectively doubled their 2016 salary outlook for the year.  There was a reason Arizona could make such an expensive deal – and it wasn’t just because of their recent TV contract.

The franchise has done a decent job in slashing payroll over the last few years.  They also have the best value on the board with the Paul Goldschmidt contract through 2019.

The big lanky 1B finished runnerup for the MVP in the National League for the second time in 3 years during 2015 – and will only earn $40 MIL over the next four seasons.  Only Andrew McCutchen’s 6 YRs/$51 MIL extension rivals the kind of value the club has received in the league.

The Diamondbacks set themselves up for the bargain of the MLB when they signed Goldschmidt to a 5 YRs/$32 MIL deal a long time ago. The slugging 1B will only make $40 MIL over the next 4 years – which is a huge reason why the club is in such great financial position to contend right now. He would easily be worth $30 MIL+ a year on the open market right now.

Arizona looks great with the signing because they only have 6  Arbitration Eligible players in 2016 – that should factor in about another $15 – $18 MIL.

Out of the 6 players that currently possess contracts that includes Greinke (Aaron Hill, Paul Goldschmidt, Yasmany Tomas, Brad Ziegler and Josh Collmenter), only Ziegler and Hill are Unrestricted Free Agents after the year.  This bodes well for more Free Agent signing or trades.

The clubs payroll is around $90 – $95 MIL all in right now.  The front office could easily make some deals to add another $15 – $25 MIL for 2016.

Greinke will make the lionshare of the teams money in going forward, but the Goldschmidt deal gives the organization a 4 year window to compete for a championship.

Guaranteed Contracts/POS/AGE:

Zack Greinke SP (32):  Details on the deal will be updated shortly.  The RHP will earn an Annual Average of $34.4 MIL for each year between 2016 – 2021).

Yasmany Tomas 3B/LF (25):  Tomas earns $7.5 MIL in 2016, $9.5 MIL in 2017. $13.5 MIL in 2018, $15.5 MIL in 2019 and $17.0 MIL in 2020. The last two years (’19-’20) are Player Options and Tomas can opt out in either year – before becoming a Free Agent in 2021.

Paul Goldschmidt 1B (28):  Goldy makes $5.9 MIL in 2016, $8.9 MIL in 2017, $11.1 MIL in 2018 – and there is a Team Option in 2019 for $14.5 MIL – that includes a $2.0 MIL Buyout.

Aaron Hill 2B(34):  Hill makes $12 MIL in 2016 and will become a Free Agent after the year.

Josh Collmenter SP (30);  The Pitcher will make $1.8 MIL in 2016 – with a Mutual Option for $2 MIL in 2017 – that carries a 150K Buyout.

Brad Ziegler RP (36):  The longtime Reliever will earn $5.5 MIL in 2016 – before hitting the open market next winter.

Matt Reynolds RP (3o):  Will earn 675K in 2016, and has one more year of Arbitration before becoming a Free Agent in 2018

Total Money for this Category – $67.8 MIL

Arbitration Eligible/POS/AGE

1st Year

A.J. Pollock CF (28):  Pollock is projected to earn $4.3 MIL in 2016 – and will have 2 more years of Arbitration before hitting Free Agency in 2019.

Rubby De La Rosa SP (27):  The Starter is slated to make roughly $3.2 MIL in 2016 – and will have 2 more years of Arbitration before hitting Free Agency in 2019.

Randall Delgado RP (25): $1 MIL is the projected salary in 2016 – and will have 2 more years of Arbitration before hitting Free Agency in 2019.

Patrick Corbin SP (26):  $3.2 MIL is projected 2016 salary – and will have 2 more years of Arbitration before hitting Free Agency in 2019.

Total Money for this Category -$11.7 MIL:  Total Team Payroll – $78.5 MIL

2nd Year

Welington Castillo C (28):  Projected earnings of $3.2 MIL in 2016, has one more year of Arbitration – before becoming a Free Agent in 2018.

Total Money for this Category -$3.2 MIL:  Total Team Payroll – $81.7 MIL

3rd Year

Daniel Hudson RP (29):  The two time Tommy John Surgery survivor will likely earn $2 MIL in 2016 before hitting Free Agency for 2017.

Total Money for this Category -$2 MIL:  Total Team Payroll – $83.7 MIL

Dead Money POS/AGE:

Cody Ross OF (36) – The former OF will be paid $1 MIL in 2016 – and then is off the books.

Total Money for this Category -$1 MIL:  Total Team Payroll – 84.7 MIL.

Entry Level Contracts POS/AGE

Tuffy Gosewisch C (32):  Is Arbitration Eligible from 2017 – 2019 and a Free Agent in 2020.

Chris Owings INF (24):  Is Arbitration Eligible from 2017 – 2019 and a Free Agent in 2020.

Chris Herrmann C/OF (28):  Is Arbitration Eligible from 2017 – 2019 and a Free Agent in 2020.

Ender Inciarte OF (25):  Is Arbitration Eligible from 2017 – 2020 (Rule 5 returned) and a Free Agent in 2021.

David Peralta OF (28): Is Arbitration Eligible from 2018 – 2020 and a Free Agent in 2021.

Chase Anderson SP (28):  Is Arbitration Eligible from 2018 – 2020 and a Free Agent in 2021.

Nick Ahmed SS (26):  Is Arbitration Eligible from 2018 – 2020 and a Free Agent in 2021.

Philip Gosselin UT (27): Is Arbitration Eligible from 2018 – 2020 and a Free Agent in 2021.

Jake Lamb UT (25):  Is Arbitration Eligible from 2018 – 2020 and a Free Agent in 2021.

Dominic Leone RP (24):  Is Arbitration Eligible from 2018 – 2020 and a Free Agent in 2021.

Evan Marshall RP (26):  Is Arbitration Eligible from 2018 – 2020 and a Free Agent in 2021.

Robbie Ray SP (24):  Is Arbitration Eligible from 2018 – 2020 and a Free Agent in 2021.

Matt Stites RP (26):  Is Arbitration Eligible from 2018 – 2020 and a Free Agent in 2021.

Andrew Chafin RP (26): Is Arbitration Eligible from 2018 – 2020 and a Free Agent in 2021.

Oscar Hernandez C/PH (22):  Is Arbitration Eligible from 2018 – 2020 and a Free Agent in 2021.

Archie Bradley SP (23):  Is Arbitration Eligible from 2019 – 2021 and a Free Agent in 2022.

A.J. Schugel RP (26):  Is Arbitration Eligible from 2019 – 2021 and a Free Agent in 2022.

Brandon Drury INF (23): Is Arbitration Eligible from 2019 – 2021 and a Free Agent in 2022.

Peter O’Brien OF (25):  Is Arbitration Eligible from 2019 – 2021 and a Free Agent in 2022.

Total Money for this Category – $8.5 MIL:  Total Team Payroll – $93.2 MIL.

The club has several option to acquire a Starting Pitcher with a heavy excess of Infielders and extra Outfielders.  The team could also trade a Starting Pitcher for an upgrade. 

Look for the team to carry out a total team salary ranging from $110 MIL – $120 MIL in 2016.

The Diamondbacks have a multitude of great positional players on their roster and Minor League System that could be used in a trade to acquire better Starting and Bullpen help. They will definitely have a shot to contend in the NL West for the foreseeable future.  It is up to the front office to spend their next set of cash wisely to take the next step in the Division as the Giants and Dodgers will still spend far more dollars each year in salaried players.

Please e-mail me  at: mlbreports@gmail.com with any questions and feedback.   To subscribe to our website and have the Daily Reports sent directly to your inbox, click here and follow the link at the top of our homepage.