What to know about the D-backs' offseason strategy

This story was excerpted from Steve Gilbert's D-backs Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

While the World Series is going on, we will be looking back at the season that just ended and ahead to the offseason. This week: Frequently asked questions.

Hopefully, this edition of the newsletter will serve as a primer for the Hot Stove season, which will get started as soon as the World Series ends.

Let's get to the questions:

Which players are free agents?

The D-backs don't have any players with contracts that expired at the end of the season.

Which players have contract options?

The D-backs have a pair of pitchers, right-handers Ian Kennedy and Zach Davies, who have mutual options for next season. Mutual options mean both sides must exercise them. That seldom happens because if a player has a season good enough for the team to want to pick up the option, chances are the player could get more in the free agent market. And should a player underperform, teams are then likely to decline the option.

While Kennedy might want to exercise his $4 million contract option, the D-backs will all but certainly decline their side of the option and elect instead to give Kennedy a $250,000 buyout.

Davies’ option is for just $1.5 million, so while that would certainly be appealing to the D-backs, he will all but certainly decline it (and receive a similar $250,000 buyout) because he can make more as a free agent.

Which players are eligible for salary arbitration?

The D-backs have nine players eligible for salary arbitration: Zac Gallen, Carson Kelly, Jordan Luplow, Keynan Middleton, Reyes Moronta, Josh Rojas, Caleb Smith, Daulton Varsho and Christian Walker.

Are any of them non-tender candidates?

It would not be surprising to see the D-backs non-tender Luplow, Middleton, Moronta and Smith.

Smith seemed to be a good bet to be tendered until he injured his elbow in the final game of the season. According to D-backs GM Mike Hazen, Smith decided against having Tommy John surgery and will opt for strengthening and rehab instead.

Things did not work out as planned for Luplow, whom the D-backs were hoping would give them a right-handed bat that could do damage against lefties. Luplow hit .176/.274/.361 in limited playing time (205 at-bats).

As for Middleton and Moronta, the D-backs likely feel they can find cheaper alternatives or could look to bring them back for less money than they would earn through arbitration.

What kind of help do the D-backs need? And will they be active in free agency?

Bullpen, bullpen and bullpen. Did we mention the bullpen? This was an area the D-backs thought they did a good enough job addressing last year, when they signed veterans Mark Melancon and Kennedy.

By the end of the season, though, Hazen and the front office knew they needed to find ways to beef it up once again heading into the winter.

The D-backs will also look to get a little more right-handed in their lineup. That could mean dealing away one of their young left-handed hitting outfielders, or it could be accomplished by acquiring a third baseman. A veteran right-handed bat for the bench is also something they will look at.

Adding starting pitching depth might not be a priority, but it is something they would also consider.

As for whether any of these would come via free agency or trade, you can expect Hazen to explore both options. The D-backs will have some money to spend this offseason, but exactly how much is something they tend to keep close to the vest.

Who might they trade?

If the D-backs could find a trade partner for Madison Bumgarner, they would likely jump on it, but that seems unlikely given Bumgarner's recent performance and the $37 million left on his contract.

Arizona has a lot of talented young players and while some (hello, Corbin Carroll) are certainly untouchable, they do have a surplus of outfielders that they could look to trade from.

One thing is for sure, the D-backs will not trade a well-regarded prospect for a rental. It would likely have to be a player who still has a number of years of club control.