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 the reason why Arizona fell simply in need of the playoffs. Regardless of these latest struggles, nevertheless, the D’Backs nonetheless received “important curiosity from golf equipment on the lookout for starters” in the course of the GM Conferences final week, in line with Will Sammon and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic.
It actually isn’t a shock that any crew 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 would possibly view Arizona’s 2024 rotation efficiency as one thing of a fluke. In any case, Merrill Kelly and Eduardo Rodriguez every missed nearly all of the season with damage, Zac Gallen spent a couple of month on the injured record, 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 have been referred to as on to cowl innings instead of their injured teammates.
Sammon and Mooney didn’t specify which names drew any specific consideration from commerce suitors, although it may be secure to guess that Rodriguez’s commerce worth is pretty low, contemplating his injury-plagued 12 months and the $66MM remaining on his contract by 2027. Past E-Rod, any of Arizona’s different pitchers might be considered as commerce candidates relying on the membership’s personal plans, or if one rival crew views a selected 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 crew mentioned to be drawing curiosity of their pitchers, although since Pittsburgh’s arms are principally of the youthful selection, the Pirates would possibly attraction to groups in a little bit of a rebuild stage fairly than groups on the lookout for a win-now piece for 2025. It may also be assumed that the Bucs have pitchers (i.e. Paul Skenes, Jared Jones) who aren’t going anyplace, whereas the D’Backs may be extra broadly open to at the least listening on any of their starters.
Naturally, a crew that received so little from its rotation in a single season gained’t be so fast to deal away from its beginning depth the following 12 months. Nevertheless, Gallen, Kelly, and Montgomery are all slated to be free brokers subsequent season, so the Diamondbacks might be open to shifting a starter they don’t imagine will probably be a part of the long-term plan. Montgomery particularly has been a topic of commerce rumors since proprietor Ken Kendrick criticized his crew’s determination to signal the southpaw, and whereas Montgomery unsurprisingly exercised his $22.5MM participant possibility for 2025, that doesn’t imply the crew and pitcher would possibly nonetheless half methods by way of commerce.
Buying and selling long-term rotation staples like Gallen and Kelly may be a harder determination for the D’Backs, but shifting a veteran arm may be preferable than shifting one of many controllable youthful pitchers. Arizona may deal away a youthful arm as a part of an all-in strategy to 2025 whereas their established stars are nonetheless round, although that clashes with the extra measured model of GM Mike Hazen. Pfaadt, Nelson, and Diaz might be counted on for bigger roles if any of the upcoming free brokers signal elsewhere subsequent winter, and extra boldly shifting 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 be aware that the crew is on the lookout for a high-leverage reliever who can maybe step right into a closing position. Arizona’s bullpen was additionally a weak hyperlink final 12 months, and figures to be extra of a spotlight than a rotation that (on paper) might be advantageous if everyone seems to be wholesome. Some offensive assist additionally appears needed with Christian Walker, Joc Pederson, and Randal Grichuk all at the moment on the free agent market.
