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.

The D-backs made a big jump in the win column, going from 52 in 2021 to 74 in '22, but that isn't nearly enough for general manager Mike Hazen.

"I feel like in some ways you need to walk before you can run," Hazen said. "I feel like that happened this year to some degree. But on the flip side, finishing with 74 wins and not finishing in October, I don’t look at that [like], 'Congratulations, we stunk less than we did last year.' I don’t have that mindset. I’m never going to have that mindset."

Arizona will look to make an even bigger jump in 2023, and to do that, the club will need to work on its roster.

With that in mind, here are five questions facing the D-backs this offseason:

1. How will they fix the bullpen?

If this question sounds familiar, it's because, well, the D-backs have been asking this question for the past several years.

Last offseason, the D-backs thought they'd solved their back-end bullpen issues by signing a pair of veterans in closer Mark Melancon and setup man Ian Kennedy, but they are back to the drawing board this winter, as both had their share of struggles. Melancon has another year on his deal, while Kennedy has a $4 million contract option that all but certainly will not be picked up.

Look for the D-backs to search for not just back-end help, but also depth throughout the 'pen, especially if they decide to non-tender injured lefty Caleb Smith.

2. Should they trade one of their young outfielders?

This is a tough question for the D-backs to answer, but a "problem" that teams love to have: too many good players for too few spots.

In Daulton Varsho, Corbin Carroll, Jake McCarthy and Alek Thomas, Arizona has four outfielders for three spots. Of course, the club also has a designated hitter spot to work with, so it's not so much a matter of getting at-bats for all four players, but rather that all four are left-handed.

Given that reality, would the D-backs want to trade one of them in order to add a right-handed bat to the outfield? If so, which one? There are a lot of questions within this question that they'll have to sort out.

3. Do they need to acquire a third baseman?

In Josh Rojas and Emmanuel Rivera, the D-backs have more depth at third base than they've had recently, but do they want to upgrade?

Rojas played mainly at third last year with some second base thrown in, but in previous years, he's shown the ability to play both corner outfield positions as well, so his versatility is a real plus.

Hazen has been adamant about not cutting off any avenue to improve the offense. Third base, DH and a right-handed-hitting outfielder are a few areas where he could look to do that.

4. How will they get Madison Bumgarner right?

Suffice to say the 2022 season didn't go the way Bumgarner or the D-backs wanted it to go, and with two years and $37 million remaining on his contract, the two sides need to find a way to get the left-hander performing better.

It's possible Arizona could just release Bumgarner, but that's a lot of money to swallow and any trade would also almost certainly involve taking a bad contract in return -- or paying most, if not all, the money left on Bumgarner's deal.

More likely, Bumgarner and pitching coach Brent Strom will continue to try to figure things out in 2023.

“I think he just needs to continue to go out there and fine-tune what he has and find ways to get off the barrel more, find ways to be in different spots in the strike zone than he has been,” Hazen said at the end of the season. “I do think it can be that fine of an edge.”

5. Do they need to add a veteran starter for depth?

The answer to this question could be impacted by what happens with Bumgarner. Including him, the D-backs will have veterans Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly back to anchor the rotation. Young pitchers Tommy Henry, Ryne Nelson and Drey Jameson each had impressive moments after being called up during the season, and fellow top prospect Brandon Pfaadt certainly will get a chance to make the rotation this spring.

With the expected departure of veteran Zach Davies, can Arizona rely on the young pitchers to fill two or three rotation spots, or should it add a veteran starter as insurance?

Hazen has always believed you can never have enough starting pitching depth, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see the D-backs add someone. But given their other needs, it could be further down on their list.