A significant offseason for the Arizona Diamondbacks will hopefully become increasingly active over the next week. The 2025 MLB Winter Meetings take place from December 7-10 in Orlando, Florida. The meetings bring agents, players, and team executives together for fundamental negotiations, trades, and deals. The Diamondbacks need to use their time wisely to strengthen the team heading into the new season.
Roster Gaps
This offseason is significant for the Diamondbacks because they face their fair share of roster openings. If they want to be contenders again, they must address several concerns. Those include starting pitching, bullpen arms, help at first base, and finding a right-handed power bat. With a reduction in payroll, they could be looking at trading some of their prospects for pitching.
No Assurance at Pitching
Starter Corbin Burnes and relievers Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk are all recovering from arm surgery. Their returns are tentative. On top of that, you have to consider that there’s no assurance as to how they’ll pitch even if they do return this season. Without those pitchers to count on, the team will look to add to their entire rotation.
Starting Pitching
They need starting pitching going into next season. The good news is that they have Ryne Nelson, Brandon Pfaadt, and Eduardo Rodriguez returning. Zac Gallen will most likely sign a free agent deal with another team. That leaves at least two openings for the Diamondbacks to fill. A rewarding free agent deal most likely won’t happen leaving General Manager Mike Hazen to be creative in how and who he acquires pitchers to fill those slots.
Bullpen
Since his arrival in October 2016, Hazen has had to rebuild the bullpen each year. After numerous injuries and inconsistent performances last season, the team needs multiple relievers as part of that rebuild. The Diamondbacks need to bring in some veterans to compete for and earn roster spots. Yes, there are a couple of candidates from last year and a few minor league options, but no established or proven arms at this point.
Closer Wanted
Once again, an established closer is at the top of the team’s list of needs. Last season, the Diamondbacks set an MLB record with 17 different pitchers recording a save. They are already in discussions with a few available free-agent closers. However, many teams also need closers. We have already seen Ryan Helsley, Raisel Iglesias, and Devin Williams, agree to terms. The Diamondbacks have to find a way to remain involved in the action, because they cannot afford to enter the regular season without a closer. Adding an established closer who can get that final out will go a long way.
Power Bat
A significant offseason for the Arizona Diamondbacks should be getting active over the next week or so and a right-handed power outfielder is needed. They need someone who can hit left-handers to improve their dreary, inconsistent performance from last season. With Lourdes Gurriel, Jr. recovering from ACL surgery and out until after the All-Star break, adding a right-handed bat to the outfield can only help the power upside in their lineup.
First Base
The Diamondbacks first base state of affairs is uncertain. Tyler Locklear’s status is in doubt after surgery on both his elbow and shoulder. After being acquired from the Seattle Mariners he did not hit very well. Some say it was due to a new team and injuries. However, others say he just cannot hit MLB pitching. Either way, how well he’ll hit after his recovery and rehab is a question that needs to be addressed.
Pavin Smith is the starter at first base for now. However, he is coming off a subpar year and needs to rebound. This could mean the team looks for an everyday first baseman at the Winter Meetings. Whether or not they are able to make that acquisition, they need production out of Smith.
Talented Team
The good news out of last season is that despite all the injuries to their entire pitching staff and everyday players then trading away some veterans, this team remained in the playoff race until the final weekend of the season. That shows how capable and talented this team is. They enjoy playing for Manager Torey Lovullo. With all the issues and injuries, they stuck together and played well enough to be contenders. That chemistry can go a long way.
Only One Move So Far
A significant offseason for the Arizona Diamondbacks shows only one move so far—the re-signing of veteran catcher James McCann. Brought in last season after Gabriel Moreno was placed on the IL, he brings leadership, defensive skills, and a power bat.
However, it will take more than one good signing to get the team where it needs to be. With all the positions they need to fill to strengthen the team both defensively and offensively, the team needs to get busy. Although the Diamondbacks need to start making acquisitions to strengthen the team, deals and talks can grind deeper into the offseason before any real action takes place. It may be closer to Spring Training before we see things coming together. Right now, we need to see where the Winter Meetings go.
