Facing a free-agent and trade market that featured more infielders than center fielders, the Diamondbacks opted to use their roster’s flexibility to their advantage.
By signing infielder Wilmer Flores to play second base – his one-year, $4.25 million deal became official on Monday – the club committed to shifting Ketel Marte from second to center field.
General Manager Mike Hazen acknowledged the possibility that the team downgraded its defense at multiple positions but suggested the potential impact on the offense was worth the tradeoff.