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The Arizona Diamondbacks have made some serious moves this offseason with the hopes of vaulting into contention in the NL West. Of course, not only do those moves have to work out, but the team also needs to stay healthy in order to compete in what could be a three-horse race for the division crown. Here are five players Arizona needs to stay healthy in 2016.
5. Welington Castillo
Credit: Getty Images5. Welington Castillo
Like most teams, the drop off between Arizona's starting catcher and their backup is quite substantial. Castillo was an important offensive contributor for the Diamondbacks last season with 17 home runs and 50 RBIs, and that was in just 80 games. The Diamondbacks will need to get as much as they can out of Castillo in 2016, so he has to stay healthy and catch as often as possible.
4. A.J. Pollock
Credit: Getty Images4. A.J. Pollock
With Arizona trading away Ender Inciarte, Pollock is the favorite to hit leadoff for the Diamondbacks this season, so they'll need him to get on base and jump-start the offense. Without Inciarte, Arizona doesn't have as much outfield depth as they did last year, even with a few promising options in the minors. It's important for Pollock to remain injury-free and in the lineup every day.
3. Paul Goldschmidt
Credit: Getty Images3. Paul Goldschmidt
Goldschmidt is one of the premier offensive players in baseball and obviously the most important player in Arizona's lineup. If he were to miss time, the Diamondbacks could plug in Yasmany Tomas at first base, but it would force a young player to take Tomas' spot in the outfield. Beyond that, Goldschmidt's production would be impossible to replace if he suffered a long-term injury. The Diamondbacks have some other big bats, but their lineup is not the same without Goldschmidt.
2. Brad Ziegler
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas - USATODAY Sports2. Brad Ziegler
Ziegler is a quality closer, but unfortunately for the Diamondbacks, they don't really have anyone who can step into that role if he were to miss time. Arizona traded away Addison Reed last season, losing a reliever with experience as a closer. While the setup men they have remaining are solid, none are fit to close out games. If Ziegler goes down with an injury, the Diamondbacks could struggle to close out wins even with a great offense and improved rotation.
1. Zack Greinke
Credit: Jayne Kamin Oncea - USATODAY Sports1. Zack Greinke
The addition of Shelby Miller and the return of Patrick Corbin from Tommy John surgery help to give Arizona good rotation depth, but the success of their pitching staff hinges on Greinke. He's the ace the Diamondbacks spent a fortune to sign this past offseason, so they need him to stay on the field and make 30-plus starts. If Greinke goes to the DL, not only would it be a massive waste of money, but the Diamondbacks would have trouble keeping up in the NL West.
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