Just two years back the Arizona Diamondbacks won the wild-card game before falling to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a National League Division Series. Last season they finished 82-80, staying in the postseason hunt for five months until losing 20 of their last 28 games.
But in 2019, this will be one of many stripped-down teams taking a near-term beating while hoping for long-term reward. The Diamondbacks will be just another seller heading toward the cellar.
They conceded their campaign by trading Goldschmidt for pitcher Luke Weaver, catcher Carson Kelly, infield prospect Andy Young and a high draft pick.