Diamondbacks Rumor Roundup ahead of 2024 Winter Meetings
Catching up on all the latest rumors on the Arizona Diamondbacks heading into the Winter Meetings.
The 2024 Winter Meetings will take place December 9-12 in Dallas, TX. There, general manager Mike Hazen will try to improve the ballclub, either through free agency or trades. They’re coming off a disappointing season, winning 89 games and missing out on the playoffs by a tiebreaker.
Talking to MLB.com reporter Steve Gilbert earlier this week, Hazen indicated there’s nothing on the table yet although things could change in one text or phone call. The D-backs GM noted there’s a bigger sense of urgency after missing the playoffs a year after winning a National League pennant.
"It adds a little urgency that we didn't make the playoffs," Hazen told Gilbert. "I want to get back to the playoffs."
Replacing key free agents is Arizona’s biggest need
The main needs for the D-backs to address will be replacing a lot of their key free agents. Christian Walker, Joc Pederson, Randal Grichuk, Paul Sewald, and Kevin Newman are key free agents the team needs to replace, with Newman already leaving to go to the Angels. That means first base, DH, and the back end of the bullpen are the team’s top three priorities.
Arizona’s 2025 payroll is currently projected at $149 million by Roster Resource as of December 5th. Hazen said on Wolf & Luke in November they expect payroll to be around 2024 levels, which is around $173 million. That gives them roughly $24 million to spend, meaning they’re likely to see most of those free agents sign with other teams. There is maybe enough money to either re-sign Walker or Pederson, but not both.
On FanGraphs’ free agent tracker, the median crowd source expects Walker to get 3/$54M and Pederson 2/$28M. It’s still possible they could re-sign Pederson, as there has been reported interest in a reunion. After signing with the D-backs last offseason, he slashed .281/.392/.531 (154 wRC+) with 22 of his 23 home runs.
That likely means we’ll see Pavin Smith take over as the left-hand part of the platoon at either first base or DH. Smith broke out in the final six weeks of the 2024 season and showed more in-game power, so there’s hope he can adequately fill in one of those spots at a pre-arbitration salary.
The fourth outfielder is a medium priority need to replace Grichuk. Other options on the market could include the non-tendered Austin Hayes or trade for Cleveland’s Lane Thomas. The Guardians are open to trading him and Josh Naylor, both players being interesting fits for the D-backs.
D-backs getting calls for starting pitching and outfield
The two areas of surplus for the Diamondbacks are starting pitching and the outfield. Hazen told both Nick Piecoro and Steve Gilbert that he’s been getting calls in each area.
Jordan Montgomery
Given a choice of which starting pitcher to deal, the D-backs would likely prefer Montgomery over Zac Gallen or Merrill Kelly. All three pitchers are set to hit the free agent market after the 2025 season, barring any extensions.
John Gambadoro, co-host of Burns & Gambo on Arizona Sports radio suggests that left-hander Jordan Montgomery could be dealt soon. With some of the recent deals on the pitching free agent market, the D-backs could get more relief from Montgomery’s $22.5 million salary for 2025.
Ignoring the Blake Snell deal, these are some of the deals inked for mid-rotation pitchers in the free agent market so far. This does not include the five-year deal signed by Blake Snell with the Dodgers, as he’s not a comparable starter in the same sense.
LHP Matthew Boyd: 2/$29M (Cubs)
RHP Luis Severino: 3/$67M (Athletics)
RHP Frankie Montas: 2/$34M (Mets)
RHP Michael Wacha: 3/$51M (Royals)
LHP Yusei Kikuchi: 3/$63M (Angels)
Montgomery will cost more in 2025 than any of those pitchers, but those deals suggest Arizona won’t have to eat the majority of the contract as it’s in the $14.5-22.3M range. The veteran left-hander has a strong track record in his career but struggled to a 6.23 ERA in 117 innings in his first year with the D-backs.
Jake McCarthy
Arizona’s biggest trade chip in the position player market is Jake McCarthy. McCarthy comes with four years of total control and is a starting-caliber center fielder. In 142 games, he put up 1.7 bWAR/3.0 fWAR with the major difference coming on defense. McCarthy is credited with a +6 fielding run value on Statcast while Sports Info Solutions has him at -3 defensive runs saved. Overall, he’s still slightly better than the average regular in center due to his ability to hit, be a menace on the basepaths, and above-average defense.
While it would be a good time for the D-backs to sell high on the 27-year-old, their outfield depth is less proven behind him. Alek Thomas has gotten plenty of opportunities to shine, but his a career .226 hitter and has struggled to make enough air contact to make his bat playable. If Thomas could reach up to a 85-90 wRC+ at the plate, it would easily justify his spot in the lineup as a glove-first center fielder.
Alternatively, they could go with the more steady option with McCarthy and try to trade Thomas to help solve their needs at first base or the bullpen.
Christian Walker rumors
Back in early November, USA Today columnist Bob Nightengale wrote about Walker having a healthy free agent market, with teams seeing him as a cheaper alternative to Pete Alonso at first base. Then he named the D-backs, Nationals, and Yankees as three teams to watch for Walker. Depending on how the market unfolds, the cost to land him may exceed $20 million per season.
Now it’s possible the Astros join the bidding, in case they fail to re-sign Bregman and their third base contingencies fall through. Astros beat writer for MLB.com Brian McTaggart reported Thursday the Astros offered Bregman $156 million on a six-year contract. McTaggart added if Houston cannot get offensive upgrades at third base, they will pivot towards improving their lineup at the other corner infield spot.
Michael McDermott is a Contributor to FanSided’s MLB coverage on Call to the Pen, Venom Strikes, Dodgers Way, and Friars on Base. He has been writing about the Arizona Diamondbacks, and their minor league system, for 9 seasons for AZ Snake Pit, Diamondbacks on SI, and Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X at x.com/michaelmcdmlb or at Bluesky.