The Diamondbacks completed twenty seventh of 30 groups in rotation ERA (4.79) final season, as a scarcity of manufacturing from the beginning pitchers was one of many chief explanation why Arizona fell simply in need of the playoffs. Regardless of these current struggles, nevertheless, the D’Backs nonetheless bought “vital curiosity from golf equipment in search of starters” through the GM Conferences final week, in accordance with Will Sammon and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic.
It actually isn’t a shock that any workforce with any degree of on-paper pitching depth is getting hits on their starters, although this degree of curiosity signifies that a lot of the league may view Arizona’s 2024 rotation efficiency as one thing of a fluke. In any case, Merrill Kelly and Eduardo Rodriguez every missed the vast majority of the season with damage, Zac Gallen spent a few month on the injured listing, and Jordan Montgomery simply by no means appeared settled after lacking Spring Coaching and solely signing with the D’Backs on Opening Day. Past this veteran group, youthful and extra controllable starters like Brandon Pfaadt, Ryne Nelson, and Yilber Diaz additionally had respectable showings as they had been referred to as on to cowl innings rather than their injured teammates.
Sammon and Mooney didn’t specify which names drew any specific consideration from commerce suitors, although it is perhaps secure to guess that Rodriguez’s commerce worth is pretty low, contemplating his injury-plagued yr and the $66MM remaining on his contract by way of 2027. Past E-Rod, any of Arizona’s different pitchers may very well be considered as commerce candidates relying on the membership’s personal plans, or if one rival workforce views a specific starter as a key match.
The truth that the Diamondbacks have “extra choices and extra high quality,” Sammon and Mooney write, offers them a leg up in commerce talks. The Pirates are one other workforce mentioned to be drawing curiosity of their pitchers, although since Pittsburgh’s arms are largely of the youthful selection, the Pirates may enchantment to groups in a little bit of a rebuild stage quite than groups in search of a win-now piece for 2025. It will also be assumed that the Bucs have pitchers (i.e. Paul Skenes, Jared Jones) who aren’t going wherever, whereas the D’Backs could be extra broadly open to a minimum of listening on any of their starters.
Naturally, a workforce that bought so little from its rotation in a single season gained’t be so fast to deal away from its beginning depth the following yr. Nevertheless, Gallen, Kelly, and Montgomery are all slated to be free brokers subsequent season, so the Diamondbacks may very well be open to transferring a starter they don’t imagine will likely be a part of the long-term plan. Montgomery particularly has been a topic of commerce rumors since proprietor Ken Kendrick criticized his workforce’s resolution to signal the southpaw, and whereas Montgomery unsurprisingly exercised his $22.5MM participant choice for 2025, that doesn’t imply the workforce and pitcher may nonetheless half methods by way of commerce.
Buying and selling long-term rotation staples like Gallen and Kelly is perhaps a more durable resolution for the D’Backs, but transferring a veteran arm is perhaps preferable than transferring one of many controllable youthful pitchers. Arizona might deal away a youthful arm as a part of an all-in method to 2025 whereas their established stars are nonetheless round, although that clashes with the extra measured type of GM Mike Hazen. Pfaadt, Nelson, and Diaz may very well be counted on for bigger roles if any of the approaching free brokers signal elsewhere subsequent winter, and extra boldly transferring a pitcher like Gallen now would give the D’Backs a giant return.
When it comes to the wants the Diamondbacks have to handle, Sammon and Mooney notice that the workforce is in search of a high-leverage reliever who can maybe step right into a closing function. Arizona’s bullpen was additionally a weak hyperlink final yr, and figures to be extra of a spotlight than a rotation that (on paper) may very well be advantageous if everyone seems to be wholesome. Some offensive assist additionally appears essential with Christian Walker, Joc Pederson, and Randal Grichuk all at the moment on the free agent market.
