"Ketel Marte is officially off the market, but even if the Diamondbacks aren't swinging a big trade this winter they still have plenty of work to do. The team's biggest move of the offseason has been reuniting with Merrill Kelly in free agency. They've also signed right-hander Michael Soroka and catcher James McCann to one-year deals while shipping lefty Kyle Backhus and outfielder Jake McCarthy out in trades. Those relatively small moves aren't the end of the team's offseason maneuvers, as general manager Mike Hazen told reports (including Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports) that he would like to bolster the pitching staff and also add "a couple of bats" to the offense."
"Arizona's 2025 rotation was below-average overall amid injury woes and nearly across-the-board underperformance. Despite pitching the third-most innings of any rotation, the group's 9.0 fWAR ranked 21st in the league. Staff ace Corbin Burnes had a 2.66 ERA in 64 1/3 innings before undergoing Tommy John surgery in June. He'll miss most, if not all, of the 2026 season but remains under contract through 2030. Losing Burnes wouldn't have been quite so disastrous had righty remained a top-of-the-rotation caliber arm after being demoted to the #2 spot behind Burnes, but that didn't come to pass. Gallen was healthy all season but posted a 4.83 ERA and allowed the third-most home runs of any starter in the league with 31. He's now a free agent, and a reunion between the sides seems unlikely."
Arizona re-signed Merrill Kelly and added Michael Soroka and James McCann on one-year deals while trading Kyle Backhus and Jake McCarthy. General manager Mike Hazen says the front office seeks to bolster the pitching staff — bullpen and starting depth — and add "a couple of bats" to the lineup. The 2025 rotation pitched many innings but underperformed, posting a 9.0 fWAR and ranking 21st. Corbin Burnes underwent Tommy John surgery and will miss most of 2026 while remaining under contract through 2030. Zac Gallen struggled with a 4.83 ERA and 31 home runs allowed and appears unlikely to return as a free agent.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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