SAN DIEGO – As one of nearly a dozen impending free agents on the roster, infielder Daniel Descalso knows full well the changes that could be coming to the Diamondbacks next season. He has heard talk of a potential rebuild. He recognizes the dynamics involved in roster building, the need to balance the future with the present.

But he hopes the Diamondbacks’ decision-makers opt to keep the group together.

“I think there’s a lot of talent in this room, so my gut feel is that this team can win with some additional pieces,” Descalso said. “I would hate to see them blow it up because I think we had something good going for the last two years, but we just kind of fell apart over the last month or so. But I believe in this group. I think a lot of guys in here do. It just didn’t turn out the way we wanted it to this year.”

As for where he fits in, he’s not sure. But he thinks he’ll be hitting the market in a different position than he was in last time. When he became a free agent two years ago, he carried the reputation of a light-hitting infielder that could also bring positional versatility and veteran leadership.

He’s still versatile. He’s still well-regarded among teammates. But he wonders if the way he has hit in recent seasons could make him a little more appealing to teams.

“If you look at my last, I guess, two or three seasons, as opposed to my first few in the league, the numbers are a little different,” he said. “So maybe it could be a little different. But I don’t really know. I haven’t given it a whole lot of thought. But I feel like I’m definitely entering the market in a better position for myself.”

Descalso hasn’t transformed into an offensive force, but he’s a far bigger threat than he used to be. Since the start of 2016, he has 31 homers and a .760 OPS in 938 at-bats. He had just 15 homers and a .648 OPS in more than 1,400 at-bats in five-plus seasons before that.

Scouts seem to view him as a hitter who not only can provide a so-called “professional at-bat,” but who can now add a little thump, as well. More over, he gained a reputation with the Diamondbacks as a clutch hitter.

Two years ago, Descalso had to wait until early February before landing a two-year deal with the Diamondbacks. Last winter, the market was even more difficult for veterans. Descalso readily admits he doesn’t know what this offseason could bring.

He sounds interested in returning to the Diamondbacks, but he also acknowledged he’d like to know the direction the organization plans to take entering next year.

“At this point in my career, I probably have less years ahead of me than I have behind me,” Descalso said. “Winning is definitely important. I’ve been fortunate to win and be on some winning teams. That’s something that will definitely be one of the deciding factors in where I end up.

“I’ve got a ring (with St. Louis in 2011). So I guess I’m not ring-chasing, but being a part of a winner is different. There’s also some plusses to be had with if you go somewhere that’s rebuilding and they want to bring a guy in who has experience and teach young kids. Maybe I’m not to that point of my career yet, but (teammate Jon) Jay did that with the Royals for a little bit this year and those guys valued him over there for that. We’ll see what happens.”

As far as the Diamondbacks are concerned, they could lose a pair of key free agents in left-hander Patrick Corbin and center fielder A.J. Pollock. The club was competitive for most of the year but suffered through a disastrous September, beginning the month with a share of first place before getting eliminated from the postseason with six games left on the schedule.

“I get how this game works,” Descalso said. “I know we didn’t do any favors by tanking here the last month and maybe making their decision easier. But I’m not on that side of (the game). They’ve got a whole bunch of different information they’re dealing with, salaries and stuff going forward, and they’ve got to worry about a whole lot of other stuff besides going out and playing the game. I can understand. That model seems to work for some teams.”

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Reach Piecoro at (602) 444-8680 or nick.piecoro@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @nickpiecoro.