Arizona introduced lots of acquainted faces again to the pitching workers, and introduced Nolan Arenado again to the NL West.
Main League Signings
Merrill Kelly, RHP: Two years, $40MM (vesting choice for 2028 based mostly on 2027 innings totals)
Zac Gallen, RHP: One yr, $22.025MM ($14.025MM deferred)
Michael Soroka, RHP: One yr, $7.5MM (consists of $1MM buyout of $10MM mutual choice for 2027)
James McCann, C: One yr, $2.75MM
Carlos Santana, 1B: One yr, $2MM
Taylor Clarke, RHP: One yr, $1.55MM
Paul Sewald, RHP: One yr, $1.5MM
2026 spending: $56.325MM ($14.025MM deferred)Complete spending: $77.325MM
Trades And Claims
Choice Selections
Notable Minor League Signings
Jonathan Loaisiga, Derek Regulation, Joe Ross, Ildemaro Vargas, Shawn Dubin, Luken Baker, Tommy Henry, Aramis Garcia, Thomas Hatch, Isaiah Campbell, Junior Fernandez, Oscar Mercado, John Curtiss, Jacob Amaya, Juan Centeno, Taylor Rashi
Extensions
Notable Losses
Final August’s experiences about some clubhouse friction with Ketel Marte led to hypothesis that the Diamondbacks might doubtlessly be seeking to transfer on from the star second baseman. These commerce rumors dominated the primary half of Arizona’s offseason, with 9 groups (the Tigers, Reds, Pink Sox, Rays, Mariners, Pirates, Phillies, Giants, and Blue Jays) all publicly recognized to have some curiosity in Marte’s companies.
Regardless of all of this curiosity, a swap by no means got here collectively. In November, GM Mike Hazen stated a Marte deal was “principally unlikely” to occur, and the D’Backs took the step of inserting a seemingly laborious deadline on the Marte commerce talks in early January. Hazen and his entrance workplace have been seemingly prepared to hearken to gives simply out of due diligence, however weren’t going to let the scenario linger all winter.
All of this drama got here lower than a yr after Marte signed a brand new extension that would maintain him in Arizona by means of the 2031 season. Buying and selling Marte would have gotten the $102.5MM remaining on the contract off of the Diamondbacks’ books, maybe permitting the crew to re-direct that cash in direction of different roster wants. However, in fact, one other want would’ve then been created, because it wouldn’t have been straightforward for the Snakes to exchange Marte’s All-Star stage of manufacturing.
One other attention-grabbing wrinkle is that Marte will attain 10 full years of MLB service time about two weeks into the 2026 season, thus giving him full no-trade safety as a 10-and-5 participant (10 years within the majors, no less than 5 consecutive years with one crew). There was some thought that the D’Backs may be inclined to maneuver Marte whereas they nonetheless had leverage, however assuming that Hazen certainly sticks to his deadline, it will appear to be the previous NLCS MVP will certainly be sporting a Diamondbacks uniform on Opening Day.
Satirically, Arizona’s greatest infield-related transfer of the offseason concerned buying one other participant with a full no-trade clause. The veto energy written into the extension Nolan Arenado initially signed with the Rockies again in February 2019 allowed the third baseman to manage his destiny over two accomplished trades (his transfer to Arizona this winter and the February 2021 commerce that despatched him from the Rockies to the Cardinals), and no less than one non-deal (Arenado rejected a proposed commerce final offseason that might’ve despatched him to the Astros). He reportedly additionally most popular a transfer to Arizona than a possible commerce that might have despatched him to the Athletics over the winter.
The scuttled take care of Houston left Arenado enjoying on a 78-84 St. Louis crew that gave the impression to be aching to completely begin a rebuild, and transferring Arenado’s contract was a key ingredient of the Cardinals’ plans. Heading into this winter, Arenado was extra open about increasing his checklist of authorized locations, reflecting the fact of each the Playing cards’ scenario and his personal lowered commerce inventory. Arenado’s age-34 season was one of many worst of his profession, as he hit .237/.289/.377 with 12 homers over 436 plate appearances, and missed a few month and half of motion attributable to a shoulder pressure.
St. Louis was prepared to eat a giant chunk of Arenado’s remaining wage to accommodate the commerce, so the Diamondbacks are masking solely $11MM of the $42MM owed to the third baseman over the past two seasons on his contract. Spending $11MM and giving up an unspectacular pitching prospect (Jack Martinez) to see if Arenado can profit from a change of surroundings looks like an inexpensive gambit on Hazen’s half. Arenado continues to be a plus defender if nothing else, and whereas his hitting numbers have been in decline for the final three seasons, the transfer to Chase Discipline might maybe assist bump him again as much as no less than a league-average stage of offense.
The Arenado commerce was finalized after the Diamondbacks missed out on an much more outstanding third base goal in Alex Bregman. Arizona’s reported curiosity in Bregman shocked many, as such a signing was considered out of the spending vary for a crew that was prone to be decreasing payroll, as per statements from crew chairman Ken Kendrick again in September. Like final winter’s blockbuster signing of Scottsdale resident Corbin Burnes, the D’Backs might have been prepared to stretch the funds for one more star from the Southwest — Bregman is from New Mexico, and grew up cheering for the Diamondbacks.
Bregman ended up signing with the Cubs for 5 years and $175MM ($70MM of which is deferred), so the Snakes’ curiosity ended up going for naught. It isn’t recognized how fervent Arizona’s pursuit was, and the Marte commerce market additionally actually impacted the crew’s free agent pursuits in addition to the broader infield free agent market as a complete. A crew swinging a deal for Marte would in all probability have much less curiosity in signing Bregman, as an illustration. As nicely, if the D’Backs needed to commerce Marte to release cash for a Bregman signing, Bregman might need then been much less eager about becoming a member of an Arizona crew that didn’t have a confirmed star like Marte within the lineup.
Pete Fairbanks, Pierce Johnson, Munetaka Murakami, and previous buddy Paul Goldschmidt have been a few of the different free brokers in addition to Bregman who have been on Arizona’s radar. Gamers linked to the Diamondbacks in commerce talks (principally in Marte-related offers) included Cole Younger, Ryan Pepiot, Shane Baz, Brandon Lowe, and Brendan Donovan, plus absolutely loads of different names have been bandied about within the Diamondbacks’ many negotiations.
If Marte was going to be traded, a number of experiences acknowledged that the Diamondbacks have been prioritizing controllable pitching in any return. This ask associated each to the pure worth of each pitchers, and Arizona’s want for rotation assist. With Merrill Kelly traded to the Rangers eventually summer season’s deadline and Zac Gallen coming into free company, the D’Backs have been seemingly headed into a brand new period with out these two stalwarts atop the rotation….
…besides each pitchers at the moment are returning to the desert. Kelly’s new two-year, $40MM contract wasn’t an enormous shock, because the right-hander expressed an openness about re-signing with the Diamondbacks within the aftermath of the Texas deal. Gallen’s return on a one-year, $22.025MM deal was a bit of extra of an eye-opener, but it isn’t a complete shock that his market did not catch fireplace within the wake of solely a so-so 2025 season. Gallen posted a 4.83 ERA over 192 innings final yr, with a 21.5% strikeout price and eight.1% stroll price and have been each a bit of under league common.
Between this down yr and a 2024 season that was additionally fairly strange, it has now been two years since Gallen has appeared like a real frontline ace. Rejecting Arizona’s qualifying provide additionally connected draft decide compensation to Gallen’s availability, creating one other impediment for groups cautious about signing the right-hander in free company. With the market failing to yield a suitable long-term provide, Gallen re-signed for what’s technically the precise value of the qualifying provide, besides $14.025MM of his $22.025MM wage is deferred. This implies some short-term financial savings for the D’Backs and fewer speedy cash for Gallen that if he’d simply accepted the QO.
Reuniting Gallen and Kelly stuffed two huge holes within the rotation, even when it means the Diamondbacks are kind of standing pat with the identical beginning group that posted middling numbers in 2025. The D’Backs are relying on Gallen to rebound, Eduardo Rodriguez to lastly get on observe in his third season in Arizona, Brandon Pfaadt to take a step ahead in his fourth MLB marketing campaign, and Ryne Nelson to proceed his stable work from final season.
Well being can be a should, and there are already some harm considerations early in camp — Kelly is battling a nasty again and Pfaadt has some aspect discomfort. Burnes underwent Tommy John surgical procedure final June and gained’t be out there till no less than late July or early August. Depth starter Blake Walston is out till Could or June attributable to a TJ surgical procedure of his personal, and Cristian Mena continues to be coping with the teres main pressure that value him a giant chunk of the 2025 marketing campaign.
Michael Soroka has his personal checkered harm historical past, however he’ll present depth as a swingman after becoming a member of the D’Backs on a one-year, $7.5MM contract. A biceps pressure and two shoulder strains restricted Soroka to 169 1/3 innings over the past two seasons, however when wholesome he delivered pretty okay numbers as each a starter and reliever with the White Sox, Nationals, and Cubs. Soroka’s 4.06 SIERA outpaced his 4.62 ERA over the past two seasons, his strikeout charges have been above common, and his stroll price was a lot improved in 2025 after he displayed very shaky management in 2024.
The rotation’s well being standing would be the greatest consider Soroka’s function, and if he isn’t beginning, some lengthy aid innings could be a giant assist to the bullpen. Like how the rotation is in some methods ready on Burnes, the pen is lacking two prime high-leverage arms in Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk, who each underwent main arm surgical procedures final June. Martinez had a Tommy John surgical procedure and gained’t be again till the second half, whereas Puk is projected to return this June after present process an inside brace process.
Reinforcing the aid corps was subsequently a significant aim of Arizona’s offseason, and if the crew makes one other outstanding transaction earlier than Opening Day, it will in all probability be a bullpen add. As to the strikes they’ve already made, the D’Backs didn’t make investments a lot in new relievers, actually not on the stage that the Marlins spent on Fairbanks ($13MM) or the Reds on Johnson ($6.5MM).
Although Soroka’s wage might actually be counted as spending on the bullpen, Paul Sewald and Taylor Clarke’s mixed offers barely topped $3MM in assured cash. Previously the Diamondbacks’ nearer in 2023 and early 2024, Sewald returns to Arizona seeking to bounce again after a pair of injury-marred seasons. Clarke is one other former Diamondback who has been fairly inconsistent for a lot of his profession, however he was good final season in posting a 3.25 ERA over 55 1/3 innings out of the Royals’ bullpen.
These signings might flip into huge bargains if Clarke repeats his 2025 efficiency and Sewald can regain a few of his previous type. The D’Backs are additionally hoping to strike on considered one of their flier-type acquisitions, like their waiver declare of Grant Holman (injured for many of 2025) or minor league offers with such pitchers as Jonathan Loaisiga or Derek Regulation. Each crew heads into Spring Coaching hoping to hit paydirt on a non-roster invite, however having a reliever emerge could be of explicit import for the D’Backs contemplating their wants within the pen.
Arizona additionally added a reliever by way of commerce, as Kade Strowd was introduced aboard within the deal that despatched utilityman Blaze Alexander to the Orioles. Strowd is a 28-year-old righty who simply made his MLB debut final season, and delivered a glowing 1.71 ERA over 26 1/3 innings in his first style of the majors. His 4.02 SIERA displays Strowd’s less-than-stellar peripherals and his .227 BABIP, however he’s a controllable grounder specialist with minor league choices remaining, making him an intriguing new face for the Diamondbacks’ aid combine.
Buying and selling Alexander and Jake McCarthy represented a minor shake-up to the Diamondbacks’ assortment of place gamers. Tim Tawa is anticipated to take Alexander’s place as the highest utility choice, whereas McCarthy’s outfield function could possibly be stuffed by Jorge Barrosa or (most curiously) projected middle fielder Jordan Lawlar. With Arenado now at third base, Marte staying put, and Geraldo Perdomo locked into the shortstop function, Lawlar is transferring from the infield to the brand new place of middle discipline.
The place change provides one other diploma of problem to Lawlar’s makes an attempt to stay within the majors, as he’s now enjoying the outfield for the primary time in professional ball in addition to nonetheless determining huge league pitching (Lawlar has hit solely .165/.241/.237 within the small pattern measurement of 108 PA within the Present). Whereas some D’Backs followers might really feel they’ve been ready for Lawlar’s breakout perpetually, Lawlar continues to be solely 23, and solely now appears to be ticketed for normal enjoying time on Arizona’s energetic roster.
Relying on how the experiment pans out, Lawlar might find yourself enjoying extra in left discipline than in middle, with Alek Thomas transferring into the center outfield function. Or, Thomas and Lawlar might type a lefty-righty platoon in middle if Lawlar isn’t fairly prepared for a beginning job, although this would go away left discipline to Tawa, Barrosa, or rookie Ryan Waldschmidt till Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is again from a torn ACL. As optimistic as Gurriel is feeling about an early return, chances are high he’ll nonetheless be out of motion till no less than June. Corbin Carroll stays the anchor of stability throughout the unsettled outfield image, however even Carroll’s availability for Opening Day has now been clouded by hamate surgical procedure throughout Spring Coaching.
Utilityman Ildemaro Vargas has principally bounced across the infield throughout his profession, however he might additionally present some outfield assist as he returns on a minors contract for one more stint with the D’Backs. Additionally on the depth entrance, James McCann was re-signed because the backup catcher, and a spring calf harm to Adrian del Castillo clinched McCann’s spot as Gabriel Moreno‘s chief understudy.
Lastly, yet one more outstanding veteran was introduced aboard in February when Carlos Santana inked a one-year, $2MM contract. Santana and Pavin Smith are anticipated to share time at first base, although given Santana’s sturdy glovework, he may get extra time within the discipline whereas Smith is used as a DH in opposition to right-handed pitching. Santana is popping 40 in April and is coming into his seventeenth MLB season, plus his offense took a pointy downturn to an 82 wRC+ over 474 PA with the Guardians and Cubs final yr.
With Santana at first base and Arenado at third, the Diamondbacks ought to take pleasure in a defensive improve, which was considered one of Hazen’s offseason targets. What Santana (or Arenado, for that matter) can nonetheless present on the plate is an open query, although Santana could also be restricted to only part-time at-bats relying on how Arizona approaches the primary base/DH scenario. Tyler Locklear can be anticipated to issue into the image in Could or June, when he returns from shoulder and elbow surgical procedures.
After all of the offseason comings and goings, the Diamondbacks are projected (as per RosterResource) for an approximate $195.2MM payroll. This can be a contact above their $191.3MM payroll from 2025, working counter to Kendrick’s pre-offseason statements a few spending reduce. As Kendrick defined a couple of weeks in the past, “I need our followers to really feel that we’re dedicated to investing each greenback attainable and placing the very best crew we are able to put collectively on the sector….We’re in a partnership with our followers. They generate income by shopping for tickets and coming to ball video games and supporting us. And as a great associate, we have to take the cash they spend and make investments it correctly, and that’s what we’re attempting to do.”
It appears like each crew ought to function below this primary premise, although that’s hardly the case given how so many golf equipment function below stricter payroll limits or refuse to spend in any respect. As commendable as it’s that the D’Backs are persevering with to attempt to compete, the trouble hasn’t been rewarded by a playoff berth in both of the final two seasons. The Diamondbacks had sufficient perception of their core that they retained or re-signed lots of it this winter, however the query is now whether or not or not they lastly have the precise roster composition to return to the postseason.
