We need to keep J.D. Martinez, could that happen?
Bob, Oro Valley, Ariz.
I think that's going to be tough. Martinez should draw a lot of interest on the free-agent market this offseason, which will net him a multiyear/big-dollar deal.
While the D-backs would certainly like to keep him, I don't think he's going to fit in their budget. Keep in mind: As the D-backs' young core of players continue to get older, they are going to each cost more money via arbitration. Jake Lamb, Patrick Corbin and A.J. Pollock fit into that category, and players under contract like Paul Goldschmidt and Yasmany Tomas see their salaries rise next year as well.
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Is it possible they could bring back Martinez? Sure, but it would surprise me if they're able to unless they find a way to move some significant salary.
Thoughts on the D-backs' upcoming schedule?
Karl B., Cleveland
For me, these next two weeks are the most important of the season. Starting Tuesday night, the D-backs have nine straight games against the Dodgers and Rockies and 13 of their next 16 are against those two. After that stretch, I think the playoff picture will become much clearer.
The odds of Arizona making the postseason, per FanGraphs, is 93.8 percent entering Tuesday. As I've said for the past couple of months, I don't see a way they don't make the playoffs at this point, given the cushion they built up in June.
What is the timeline for return of Jeff Mathis and [Chris Owings]? Are either going to be ready before end of season?
Jeff, Chandler, Ariz.
It's going to be close. Mathis might be able to return slightly sooner than Owings, who has to remain on the DL until late September.
Getting the pair back up to game speed will be a challenge, given that the Minor League seasons will have ended. They will likely go play in some instructional league games once they are healthy enough.