The Diamondbacks finished 27th of 30 teams in rotation ERA (4.79) last season, as a lack of production from the starting pitchers was one of the chief reasons why Arizona fell just short of the playoffs. Despite these recent struggles, however, the D’Backs still got “significant interest from clubs looking for starters” during the GM Meetings last week, according to Will Sammon and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic.
It really isn’t a surprise that any team with any level of on-paper pitching depth is getting hits on their starters, though this level of interest indicates that much of the league might view Arizona’s 2024 rotation performance as something of a fluke. After all, Merrill Kelly and Eduardo Rodriguez each missed the majority of the season with injury, Zac Gallen spent about a month on the injured list, and Jordan Montgomery just never seemed settled after missing Spring Training and only signing with the D’Backs on Opening Day. Beyond this veteran group, younger and more controllable starters like Brandon Pfaadt, Ryne Nelson, and Yilber Diaz also had respectable showings as they were called on to cover innings in place of their injured teammates.
Sammon and Mooney didn’t specify which names drew any particular attention from trade suitors, though it might be safe to guess that Rodriguez’s trade value is fairly low, considering his injury-plagued year and the $66MM remaining on his contract through 2027. Beyond E-Rod, any of Arizona’s other pitchers could be viewed as trade candidates depending on the club’s own plans, or if one rival team views a particular starter as a key fit.
The fact that the Diamondbacks have “more options and more quality,” Sammon and Mooney write, gives them a leg up in trade talks. The Pirates are another team said to be drawing interest in their pitchers, though since Pittsburgh’s arms are mostly of the younger variety, the Pirates might appeal to teams in a bit of a rebuild stage rather than teams looking for a win-now piece for 2025. It can also be assumed that the Bucs have pitchers (i.e. Paul Skenes, Jared Jones) who aren’t going anywhere, whereas the D’Backs can be more broadly open to at least listening on any of their starters.
Naturally, a team that got so little from its rotation in one season won’t be so quick to deal away from its starting depth the next year. However, Gallen, Kelly, and Montgomery are all slated to be free agents next season, so the Diamondbacks could be open to moving a starter they don’t believe will be part of the long-term plan. Montgomery in particular has been a subject of trade rumors since owner Ken Kendrick criticized his team’s decision to sign the southpaw, and while Montgomery unsurprisingly exercised his $22.5MM player option for 2025, that doesn’t mean the team and pitcher might still part ways via trade.
Trading long-term rotation staples like Gallen and Kelly might be a tougher decision for the D’Backs, yet moving a veteran arm might be preferable than moving one of the controllable younger pitchers. Arizona could deal away a younger arm as part of an all-in approach to 2025 while their established stars are still around, though that clashes with the more measured style of GM Mike Hazen. Pfaadt, Nelson, and Diaz could be counted on for larger roles if any of the impending free agents sign elsewhere next winter, and more boldly moving a pitcher like Gallen now would give the D’Backs a big return.
In terms of the needs the Diamondbacks have to address, Sammon and Mooney note that the team is looking for a high-leverage reliever who can perhaps step into a closing role. Arizona’s bullpen was also a weak link last year, and figures to be more of a focus than a rotation that (on paper) could be fine if everyone is healthy. Some offensive help also seems necessary with Christian Walker, Joc Pederson, and Randal Grichuk all currently on the free agent market.
