The beginning of Spring Training is a little more than a month away, and the Diamondbacks still have plenty of work to do on their roster before pitchers and catchers hold their first workout on Feb. 11 at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Here's a recap of where things stand and some things to know going forward:
Starting rotation
This is the one area where the D-backs have done the majority, if not all, of what they're going to do this offseason.
On the first day of the Winter Meetings, they signed right-hander Mike Soroka to a one-year, $7.5 million deal that includes performance bonuses that can raise its maximum value to $9.5 million.
Then, just before the holidays, Arizona brought right-hander Merrill Kelly back into the fold with a two-year, $40 million deal.
Although they are still open to adding more starters and could do so in a Ketel Marte trade, they might also be done on this front.
Speaking of Marte …
The biggest domino remains what happens with Marte. The D-backs started the offseason open to offers for the All-Star second baseman, but industry sources said Arizona was looking for a massive return.
To date, no team has been willing to part with what Arizona wants, and time apparently is winding down for that to happen.
"We're very likely to put an end to this shortly," general manager Mike Hazen said over the holiday break.
Trading Marte would bring the D-backs an infusion of talent and would also create some payroll flexibility. But it would also take away a key cog in their lineup.
What about Bregman?
The D-backs have been linked to free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman for a month now, but whether they can meet his asking price remains to be seen.
It would appear that Arizona would be more likely to be able to afford Bregman if they dealt Marte, but managing general partner Ken Kendrick has been known to exceed a budget if he thinks it will put his team over the top.
Until Bregman signs elsewhere, you can't rule out to possibility that he winds up with the D-backs.
What about the bullpen?
The D-backs set a record last year with 17 pitchers recording a save for them, eclipsing the previous mark of 14. That's not a positive stat, though, as Arizona's ‘pen blew 29 saves, the most in the National League and tied for the most in the Majors.
So, upgrading the bullpen, particularly the back end, was a priority and something that is still undone at this point.
It's possible that bullpen help could come as part of a return for Marte, and although a lot of the top free-agent closers have already come off the board, Hazen has said that there are still pathways to strengthening that area.
Either way, the D-backs will get both their co-closers -- Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk -- back at some point during the first half or not long after the All-Star break after both recover from Tommy John surgery.
What about other position players?
The D-backs would like to add a right-handed first-base/DH bat to go along with the left-handed-hitting Pavin Smith.
There are plenty of options still on the free-agent market, including former Arizona star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, who could make sense.
With Spring Training fast approaching, things should become clearer soon, and once a decision is made in regard to Marte, things could start to pick up quickly.