It’s an old debate going on in the MLB: Why should all the bigger market teams have the best players? Smaller teams have time and time again voiced their frustration and demanded that a salary cap be put in place, but would that really solve the problem at hand? Even when money is not in question, like in the case of Roki Sasaki, in the end the player chooses a team capable of winning a World Series and has the best players, which helps them win.
Smaller teams like the Diamondbacks have much less money than what the Dodgers, the Mets, or the Yankees have. Hence, they are unable to sign some big players. This situation has given rise to frustration from players in the team itself, and one such player has spoken out on the whole fiasco. In a recent interview, Kevin Ginkel revealed how he feels as a D-backs player.
Foul Territory interviewed pitcher Kevin Ginkel and asked him what his opinion was on the Dodgers getting the best players on the free agent market last offseason. Ginkel said, “How come the Dodgers are getting all these A-plus free agents and no one else really in the market is pursuing it? I will say it’s frustrating. I think from an organization standpoint, obviously the front office knows what they’re doing and they have a certain amount of money they can spend but it’s frustrating at times.”
“I will say it’s frustrating”@Dbacks pitcher Kevin Ginkel says more teams should be involved in Free Agents other than the Dodgers. pic.twitter.com/HNitifePuo
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) March 11, 2025
When a free agent hits the market, all 30 teams try to grab him, but eventually it comes down to 4-5 teams in the end. There has also been talk about how the Dodgers use the deferred payment method to try to grab the best players possible by putting money in the back and focusing on winning. Most of the players on the Dodgers roster are on deferred pay, including Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Blake Snell, Freddie Freeman, and others. Since the D-backs could not make any big signings this offseason, we now wonder what their roster will look like on Opening Day.
A look at the Opening Day roster for the Diamondbacks
As the Arizona Diamondbacks inch closer to Opening Day, the competition for spots on the roster is heating up. Gabriel Moreno and Jose Herrera look solid, with Herrera’s experience and Del Castillo’s development at Triple-A giving the team depth. Meanwhile, Josh Naylor is stepping into a major role at first base after Christian Walker’s departure. With Ketel Marte continuing to shine at second base, he could also be taking on some DH duties.
Eugenio Suárez, coming off an impressive second half in 2024, brings much-needed power to the lineup, especially as the third baseman looks to build on that momentum. In the outfield, the Diamondbacks are loaded with talent, led by young star Corbin Carroll and experienced hitters like Lourdes Gurriel Jr. The battle for the center-field spot between Jake McCarthy and Alek Thomas will be one to watch, as both players bring their own skill set to the table. Pavin Smith and Randal Grichuk provide depth and can slot in at DH, offering the team versatility.
The addition of Garrett Hampson as a utility player is another smart move, as he brings infield depth and the ability to contribute off the bench. The Diamondbacks’ bench, which could be bolstered by a potential standout spring from Ildemaro Vargas, is taking shape as a strength, providing manager Torey Lovullo with options all over the field. On the mound, the starting rotation is shaping up to be one of the team’s strongest suits, led by a stellar group that includes Corbin Burnes, Zac Gallen, and Merrill Kelly. The fifth spot remains a mystery, with Brandon Pfaadt, Ryne Nelson, and Jordan Montgomery all vying for the final spot.
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