What's in store for the D-backs in 2024?

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.

Opening Day is always special for players, managers, coaches and fans, but this year it will have even more meaning for the Arizona Diamondbacks, who will be unveiling their 2023 NL Championship banner.

“I love our fans,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. “They're there to support us every single day. And there's more now than there ever has been. And we are going to embrace that and we're gonna have a connecting moment with them. I look at that empty space up there next to the [2001] World Championship banner and we'll fill that space in. We'll be proud of that. It's not our final destination, but we're gonna have a moment with the fans and we all deserve that.”

Here's a look at the upcoming season:

What needs to go right? Staying away from any more major injuries

The D-backs were fortunate on the injury front last year. Catcher Gabriel Moreno missed a little bit of time, as did right-hander Merrill Kelly, but otherwise most of Arizona’s key performers were able to stay off the injured list. In the final week of Spring Training, the D-backs watched No. 3 starter Eduardo Rodriguez and closer Paul Sewald both go down with injuries. The D-backs have improved their depth -- especially after signing Montgomery -- but they can ill afford to have any other top-end guy get hurt. They took things slowly with both Zac Gallen and Kelly this spring in hopes of keeping them strong throughout the season. That will be a key for them.

Great unknown: Can the bullpen overcome the loss of Sewald?

The D-backs' bullpen was a big reason why they were able to catch -- and eventually overtake -- the Cubs for the final NL Wild Card spot last year. The acquisition of Sewald at the Trade Deadline was a big part of that, but he will be out for the beginning of the season after suffering a Grade 2 oblique strain just before Opening Day. The rest of the bullpen, which pitched so well down the stretch and in the postseason is back, but bullpen performances can vary wildly from year to year. Kevin Ginkel pitched well in a setup role last year and was unhittable in the postseason. If he can step in and fill the void left by Sewald’s injury the D-backs should be in good shape.

Team MVP will be … Corbin Carroll

Second baseman Ketel Marte had a torrid spring at the plate and Moreno had a breakout postseason last year, but it’s hard to bet against Carroll, the reigning NL Rookie of the Year. A consistent performer who is always looking to find ways to improve, Carroll is poised to make a run at NL MVP in 2024.

Team Cy Young will be … Zac Gallen

Gallen finished third in the NL Cy Young voting in 2023 and has shown no signs of slowing down. A fierce competitor, he and Kelly have pushed each other the past few seasons as a one-two punch at the top of the rotation. That figures to continue in 2024.