The Diamondbacks’ two biggest offseason changes came in late December, when the team unexpectedly landed corbyn burns Six-year, $2.1 million deal and acquired Josh Naylor In a trade with the Guardians. However, these high-profile trades only bolster an already deep rotation and fill a hole at first base, which was Christian Walker Signed with the Astros.
As a result, two of the Snakes’ top offseason targets remain unresolved, with president of baseball operations Mike Hazen telling Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic the DeBecks are still looking to Add a high-leverage arm and a right-hander to the bullpen. Adding the left-handed hitting Naylor to the lineup with the right-handed hitting Walker shifts Arizona’s lineup even further to the left, and the Diamondbacks have been linked to free agent relievers and trade targets like this: Devin Williams, Ryan Helsleyand Kirby Yates During the offseason.
Interestingly, Hazen suggested the D’Backs could address these needs through free agency, saying: “I can still join the team, yes“When asked if more cap space is available. Burns’ surprise signing pushes the Diamondbacks’ payroll past the $193MM mark (per RosterResource estimates), easily the highest in franchise history. Total. This spending increase comes after another surge in salary, with Arizona’s Opening Day payroll increasing from $116.1 million in 2023 to $163.3 million last season.
To be sure, Hazen’s remaining salary flexibility is rather limited, as he noted, “I don’t have the ability to, you know, do it with the stroke of a pen. So these may be complicating factors related to what we want to accomplish, but there are still opportunities”. That could make a trade more likely to be a path to further upgrades for the team, although Hazen said rival demands in return are too high.
Still, Hazen said the D’Backs may be willing to use their rotation depth to obtain trade chips, noting that “This may be some of the areas involved in your rescue trade”. Arizona’s starting pitcher was attracting trade interest even before Burns joined the roster, with one arm already being dealt because Slade Cecconi Sent to Cleveland as part of the Naylor trade.
That being said, Hazen is reluctant to move too many pitchers, whether from the more established veterans in the rotation to the younger guys heading into Triple-A or the bullpen. Injury issues are everywhere because “As you know, there’s probably going to be a couple of bullpens missing somewhere in camp when pitching starts,” Hazen said. “Sometimes it takes someone with latent ability to make the team impossible on Opening Day, and it happens often”.
As a result, Hesson said the Diamondbacks could have all seven starting pitching candidates available for spring training, but Piccolo noted, Jordan Montgomery It can still be done in trade negotiations. Arizona’s efforts to move Montgomery was a well-documented subplot of the team’s offseason, but there wasn’t much public buzz about specific teams interested in the left-hander’s services. Granted, that’s no surprise considering Montgomery’s salary in 2025 is $22.5MM and he’s been sidelined by injury in 117 innings in 2024 with a 6.23 ERA.
Williams was traded from the Brewers to the Yankees, Yates appears to be close to a deal with the Dodgers, and the Cardinals (somewhat oddly) have no plans to trade Helsley, even though the latter will be a free agent next winter and will also There have been no extension talks with St. Louis management. D’Backs also interested in re-signing old friend Paul Sewaldbut Arizona’s former closer signed with the Guardians earlier this week. Of the remaining members of the free agent bullpen market, Carlos Estevez, Kenley Johnson, David Robertsonand Craig Kimbrel is one of the notable pitchers with closing experience, plus any number of relievers could come up in trade talks.
Arizona arguably had the league’s top offense last season, but even with Naylor replacing Walker, DeBacker was still missing several key contributors. Jock Pederson But signed with Rangers Randall Grichuk Still a free agent, a reunion with the outfielder would directly address the Diamondbacks’ need for a right-handed bat. Grichuk’s ability to play the outfield also makes him a good fit, and as Hazen said, the team isn’t specifically looking for a right-handed hitting DH option. Parvin Smith Pederson’s spot is expected to be on the left-handed hitting side of the DH platoon, but Hazen wants to keep the designated hitter spot relatively open to allow for possible off days for multiple players.
