The Diamondbacks head into the offseason looking to bolster a roster that showed some promise in the second half. General manager Mike Hazen indicated last month the team was prioritizing adding swing-and-miss to the bullpen and was looking for another right-handed bat, and he suggested this week the front office should have financial breathing room for some additions.
“I think we’re going to have some room to move,” Hazen told reporters at the GM Meetings (link via Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic). “When we’ve felt like the team has gotten better, (owner Ken Kendrick) has usually given us leeway to maneuver. I think that’s going to be the case to some degree. I don’t know that we’re going to get to levels where we’ve been in the recent past, but I think we’re going to have some flexibility to do some things. I think the talent on our team warrants some additional good players.”
That’s not the resounding promise for a payroll spike for which the fanbase was probably hoping, although it does suggest they’ll be able to dip into free agency for help. Arizona signed only three free agents — Mark Melancon, Ian Kennedy and Zach Davies — to big league contracts last winter, tacking on a modest $12MM on the open market. The Snakes entered the 2022 campaign with a player payroll just under $91MM, per Cot’s Baseball Contracts, their second straight year between $90MM and $96MM.
Before the pandemic-shortened season, Arizona pushed spending north of $120MM in both 2018-19. Hazen’s comments downplay the possibility of getting back to those heights in 2023, but it doesn’t seem out of the question the team could push above $100MM in Opening Day payroll for the first time since 2020.
A relief corps that had the majors lowest strikeout rate figures to be a key priority. Arizona already bought low on a reliever with decent swing-and-miss ability, claiming Cole Sulser off waivers from the Marlins this week. That’s just one of what should be multiple additions, although an already-thin free agent relief market has seen arguably its top two players (Edwin Díaz and Robert Suarez) agree to re-sign with their previous teams. That leaves Taylor Rogers, Rafael Montero, Carlos Estévez, Seth Lugo, Andrew Chafin, Kenley Jansen and Chris Martin among the top arms available, although the D-Backs are sure to look into trades and/or waivers for additional options.
One other key offseason storyline for the D-Backs is whether they’d deal from their stable of upper level outfielders. Arizona has seen Daulton Varsho and Corbin Carroll emerge as key pieces of the future, while Jake McCarthy had a strong 2022 campaign to earn everyday reps. Alek Thomas didn’t hit the ground running at the big league level, but he’s a high-contact center fielder who entered the year as a top prospect. The Snakes could certainly hang onto that depth, but Hazen has spoken on a number of occasions about a willingness to entertain trade offers on members of that group.
The GM reiterated this week that dealing an outfielder is a possibility, but he emphasized he’d only do so in a move that brought back immediate MLB talent. “I’m not trading them for prospects. The prospect trade is out,” Hazen said (via Piecoro). “You can take that off the table. It’ll have to be (an established or major league ready player) and at a caliber for us that we felt like we were equally maintaining (value).”
Hazen pointed out the outfield would have a trickle-down effect on how the team approaches the designated hitter position. He suggested the current outfield depth was likely to spill over to rotating players through the DH spot but acknowledged pursuing a full-fledged DH could be more realistic with a trade that ships away an outfielder. Hazen, a former Red Sox executive, pointed to David Ortiz in suggesting he’s not opposed to having an everyday DH in the right circumstances. The D-Backs certainly aren’t going to find a hitter on the level of the Hall of Fame slugger, but old friend J.D. Martinez is an impact free agent righty bat. Nelson Cruz is coming off a terrible year but could find a big league opportunity, while players like Justin Turner and Evan Longoria could fit as hybrids between a questionable third base position and DH in the desert.
Certainly, Arizona could look to the trade market for their desired right-handed bat as well — perhaps in a deal that sends out one of their lefty-swinging young outfielders. What’s clear is the Diamondbacks aren’t approaching the offseason as a rebuilder or traditional “seller,” however. To that end, Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic reported this week Arizona has no plans to trade Zac Gallen or Merrill Kelly this offseason. Dealing away either of their top two starters — each of whom is controllable through 2025 — never seemed especially likely after Arizona’s somewhat promising end to the season, particularly with the club having a number of unproven options at the back end. Rosenthal suggests the D-Backs would unsurprisingly be open to shedding some of the two years and $37MM remaining on Madison Bumgarner’s contract, although finding another team willing to take a notable chunk of that money probably isn’t happening unless Arizona shoulders an undesirable contract in return.
Mad bum for josh Donaldson and hicks?
Yankees couldn’t use Bumgarner and the Dbacks certainly don’t need an OF.
Don’t see the point of that.
That’s……actually not a bad trade proposition contract-wise. Would the DBacks take on Hicks’ remaining $30MM though?
I want this to happen just to see how pissed off MadBum gets when he has to constantly cut his hair and shave.
MattyD,
This is the type of return the Dbacks would want in a bad contract swap, right handed hitters at 3b and OF. However, I think the Dbacks could do much better elsewhere, since Donaldson and Hicks are pretty anemic in their old age.
The humidor might help
If Hicks would change his plate approach he *may* still have some viable offense left. Plus, the shift going away may help a bit. But his pull-happy HR approach is complete garbage without the super ball.
Donaldson is an *amazing* defensive 3B, no joke. He looks 27 on defense. The problem is that he looks 57 on offense ….
Call the Marlins and trade McCarthy and another prospect for Pablo López.
You can also have either Wendle, Anderson or even Rojas if you want for a throw-in.
Habeto,
Dbacks have a deep and talented Top 30 prospect list. I’m sure the Marlins could find somebody interesting in the bottom half of that list to pair with McCarthy.
In return, Dbacks probably would prefer 2 pitchers: Pablo Lopez paired with Dylan Floro for example.
Sure,
The Marlins would be interested in McCarthy and Canzone. If you like Floro, then you’ll have to throw in a Low A prospect, doesn’t have to be in the Top 30.
Should I send you the paperwork?
No, not McCarthy.
My other two suggestions are Alex Thomas or Dominic Fletcher.
For Thomas, an additional low ranked prospect has to be paired with.
As for Fletcher, he is more difficult because himself ARI would have to give an MLB-ready player and another top 30 prospect.
What he should do with that extra money is extending Gallen and young studs. With Boras as agent it will be tough so if it doesn’t work out, we’d better trade him to get a couple of other MLB calibre starters and something more.
I don’t trust Hazen spending the money on free agents, he doesn’t have the best record there.
Rangers could trade Odorizzi to Arizona for Mad Bum and $21M. Arizona pays $15M of Bum’s $23M 2023 salary and $6M of his $14M 2024 salary, which puts Texas paying Bumgarner $8M per season in 23&24. Arizona can either keep Odorizzi as a veteran starter at $2.5M or flip him later to save a little more. Rangers get a veteran back-end starter that has a great relationship with new manager Bochy, and a mentor to the young arms that will be coming along soon.
@Positively, why would ARI want to give Mad Bum who has way more upside and pick $15 million of the tab taking on part of a lesser pitcher on Odorizzi?? It makes zero sense whatsoever
Rangers are only paying Odorizzi $2.5M, Braves are on the hook for $10M of his salary. Arizona would save $12M in this deal, $14M if they flip Odorizzi elsewhere…
Positively,
As Dbacks fans, we are really anxious to trade MadBum because he is blocking 5 young pitchers who should get lots of innings in 2023. So, I appreciate any suggestions about getting MadBum out of town. However, I think the Dbacks could rid themselves of all of MadBum’s contract so I’m not in favor of eating so much $$$$. I’d say no to your offer while pursuing others, but fall back to you if nothing else presents and think about it again.
No one’s is taking all of Bumgarner’s contract. It’s either a swap for another bad contract, or basically pay most of his contract to pitch elsewhere. If anything, I’ve understated how much Arizona should pay on behalf of Texas. One could easily argue that Texas could do this trade, but only pay $6M or $7M per year instead of the $8M I’ve suggested…
Odorizzi is gonna make 6.5 million and I believe he triggered incentives which make it even more. If ARI were to pick up even a portion of Mad Bums contract they d end up paying more in the grand scheme of things for an equally unimpressive pitcher with less upside. Just does not make sense at all.
Incentives from 21-22 doubled Odorizzi’s pay. It was reported here on MLBTR just a couple of days ago…
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/11/rangers-acquire-jake-odorizzi-from-braves-for-kolby-allard.html
Let’s see if the Dbacks can unload all of MadBum’s contract? Now, I’m not claiming the Dbacks would “win” on the exchange of bad contract salaries. I think they would have to take on more $$$ in contracts than the $37M owed to MadBum, but what I am saying is that if that money is in an area of need instead of at a position blocking young players who need at bats or innings pitched in 2023, then the excess dollars are still a “win” for the Dbacks, because the only thing worse than a bad contract is a player with a bad contract who is blocking young players that should be getting at bats or innings pitched in 2023.
scottaz, I agree with your comments and rationale above, but having watched MadBum pitch the past few years, I can’t imagine there is much interest in him at any price. I have no inside knowledge, but he doesn’t strike me as the savvy veteran type to help young hurlers either.
Kendrick has to be one of the worst owners
The only thing worse than a bad contract is a player with a bad contract blocking deserving young players from getting needed innings in 2023. That’s the problem with MadBum, he’s blocking 5 young pitchers—Jameson, Nelson, Henry, Pfaadt and Walston.
Trade his bad and blocking contract for a bad contract that doesn’t also block. Like for Yoan Moncada 3b White Sox. White Sox looking to shed salary, so team Moncada and Liam Hendriks (Closer) $75M salary for MadBum $37M, and Dbacks throw in McCarthy for LF and Emmanuel Rivera 3b.
I’ve suggested this elsewhere on these boards, but how do D-Backs fans feel about something like Gabriel Moreno and Santiago Espinal for Corbin Carroll?
I know Carroll looks great, but so does Moreno and you’d be filling 2 holes (C and 3B) with controllable talent. Any thoughts?
Thoughts? You’re crazy?
Sufferforsnakes, what’s so crazy?
What’s so crazy? Your trade proposal seeking Carroll.
lol I guess I should have asked what’s so crazy about the proposal. Moreno is a similarly valued prospect to Carroll and I’ve included what would/could be your starting 3B.
Junior,
Carroll and Varsho are considered the two “untouchables” in the Dbacks OF. Personally, I wouldn’t offer Carroll, but maybe Thomas or McCarthy for those two?
Scott, I would counter with Jansen and Espinal for either of Thomas or McCarthy as I don’t think either are worth a prospect of Moreno’s calibre. I also wouldn’t be surprised if this offer was underwhelming to you.
Junior,
The Dbacks have a 2b named Ketel Marte, why would they trade a top young CF/OF for a 2b and C? That’s a hard NO!
The Dbacks have 2 AAA left handed hitting CF named Dominic—Fletcher and Canzone. I’d trade one of them for Jansen.
Yes, I’m aware of Ketel Marte, thank you. Before the Jays acquired Chapman, Espinal excelled as a 3B, which is why I listed him as such in the original offer.
I would think the Jays would be looking for major league help in return for Jansen.
Junior,
Espinal doesn’t have the power profile to be considered a corner infielder. If he plays excellent defensive 3b and 2b, that makes him a good infield utility guy. The Dbacks have one of those already. So, again, why would the Dbacks trade a Top young CF for a Utility guy and a part time, platoon catcher?
Scott, I’ve enjoyed our back and forth. Thank you. I disagree with your minimizing of Jansen (neither part time nor platoon) and Espinal (sure he could be a utility player on a great team, but he’s an upgrade on both Rojas and Rivera), and your exaggeration of Thomas/McCarthy (top young CF?).
Looks like GM Scott and GM JF won’t be agreeing on a deal today. Good luck and enjoy the offseason.
@junior…..
We need butts in the seats. Carrol helps with that and he’s home grown.
I think Christian Vasquez solves it for catcher.
Regarding all the offers to the Dbacks for a catcher…I read one article saying the Dbacks needed a catcher and in the Top 50 Free Agents list one landing spot was the Dbacks for Free Agent Castillo.
I think catcher is way down on the Dbacks “needs” list, so I don’t put any interest in those reports.
Dbacks Priority needs, in order:
1. Closer
2. Relief Pitcher
3. Trade Madison Bumgarner
4. Another Relief Pitcher
5. Trade a left-handed OF
6. Trade another left-handed OF
7. Get a right handed OF with power
8. Get a right handed bat at 3b, preferably with power
9. Another Relief Pitcher
10. Get a replacement catcher for Carson Kelly
Given the relatively low priority for the Dbacks to replace or supplement Carson Kelly at catcher, why would the Dbacks expend a top young OF for a catcher?
Fair enough if those are the dbacks priorities. I would think building up the middle would take prescidence over a closer. If replacing Carson Kelly is the 10th item on your to-do list, the rebuild is going to take a few more years.
Junior,
Good point except I am not as down on Carson as others are.