This is safe to assume that the Arizona Diamondbacks began planning for next season some time ago.
A season once held with hope and promise quickly faded into despair and misery. Front office personnel were singled out for the gloom and disappointment. A usually vibrant clubhouse fell silent, and players quietly paid their obligation dues and spoke softly with the media.
By the All-Star game, the Arizona Diamondbacks were 14 games under.500, in fifth place in the National League West Division race and 18 games out of first place. If things had not hit rock-bottom, the slide continued.