Is it the quiet before the storm?
My hope was that by writing about the offseason needs and the relative quiet of the offseason, that Murphy’s law would prove true. If so, megamoves will happen minutes before this article is posted.
After I scheduled this article, the Diamondbacks made a big move. They traded away Slade Cecconi and their competitive round B draft pick for All-Star first baseman Josh Naylor. He is a power batter who fits with the Diamondbacks. He will be a free agent after this season.
What Must Be Done.
Three things are essential for the Diamondbacks:
Replace Lost Batters. Lost to free agency were Christian Walker at first base, plus Joc Pederson & Randal Grichuk.
Part of the answer could be Pavin Smith. Although he played regularly for only about half the season (in two segments), his batting was outstanding. If he played the entire season, he likely could have about the same results as Christian Walker. For details see this AZ Snake Pit article and this AZ Snake Pit player review.
The rest of the answer is replacing Joc Pederson & Randal Grichuk. It will be insightful to discover who will be acquired by the Diamondbacks.
Bullpen Additions. The primary bullpen weaknesses is the need for another high leverage reliever (or perhaps a closer). The secondary weakness is the need for more depth in the bullpen.
The Diamondbacks could acquire a high leverage pitcher or a closer. For my thoughts see this AZ Snake Pit article.
The Diamondbacks could add depth to their bullpen. For insights, see this AZ Snake Pit article written by 1AZfan1.
Resolve The Jordan Montgomery Problem. Which has higher value: His bounce back potential or this offseason’s premium for starting pitching? That will guide whether the best approach is to keep him or trade him.
Another possibility is that if he pitches in the bullpen he will solve the problem of depth in the bullpen. But is that the best value from a starting pitcher?
Impact of Acquiring Josh Naylor. “I think at some point, at some position on the field, we’re going to need to get a little more right-handed. But I wouldn’t rule out left-handed hitters either. But I think we need to at least probably focus a little bit on that.” — Mike Hazen, December 2024
When Players Were Acquired in 2024.
When the most significant acquistions happened is shown in the following graph. Based on their 2024 performances, they were color coded. The great acquisitions have gold stars, and the poor acquisitions have red stars. When it’s not clear to me, they have purple stars.
Data from Baseball Reference.
At this point in the last offseason, the Diamondbacks had acquired Eugenio Suarez (November 2023), Eduardo Rodriguez, and Lordes Gurriel Jr.. This season, all three acquisitions are with the team. From that perspective, the timeline looks good.
So far this offseason, the Diamondbacks have made some moves, especially to improve team depth. The Diamondbacks have acquired or re-signed these players:
- The Diamondbacks acquired Josh Naylor as a replacement for Christian Walker.
- The Diamondbacks added a relief pitcher. They selected relief pitcher Seth Martin off waivers. For details see this AZ Snake Pit article.
- The Diamondbacks added position player depth. They signed catcher Jeff Brigham to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. For details see this MLBTR article. Also, the Diamondbacks re-signed Andy Weber to a minor league contract. In addition, the Diamondbacks signed Ildemaro Vargas to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. For details see this MLBTR article. Furthermore, the Diamondbacks signed elite outfield defender Cristian Pache to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. For details see this MLBTR article.
- The Diamondbacks added pitching depth. They re-signed left-handed relief pitcher Jose Castillo to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. For details see this MLBTR article.
- The Diamondbacks signed international pitching prospect Chung-Hsiang Huang. He is 19 years old. For details see this article.
Recent Comments By Mike Hazen.
At the GM meeting, the Diamondbacks did not complete any moves. Their GM addressed what happened.
“We really didn’t get much done, but there’s been progress made in some areas. So we’ll see what happens. Wasn’t really expecting anything to happen here. We’ll carry all these conversations forward. I feel like we have a little firmer understanding on some potential moves that we can make. It’s not anything happening right now, but I do feel like things have progressed a little bit in terms of specificity of conversations.” — Mike Hazen
After reading between the lines, my thoughts about his comments follow:
- Progress was made in some areas. The word some means that progress was NOT made in at least one of the three must-do areas.
- We will carry all these conversations forward. The word all means he will keep all options open because he is almost as optimistic as I am.
- We have a little firmer understanding. The word firmer means that free agents and other teams were not as flexible in their demands as we hoped.
- Some potential moves. The word potential means he is looking at more than one approach to his must-do items.
- Moves that we can make. The word can means he decided to wait on a move that could likely have been executed. The good news is that depending on developments, those moves could happen later in the offseason.
- Things have progressed a little bit in terms of specificity. The word specificity means instead of exploring concepts they are finding ways moves could be executed.
Per the following comment, potential offseason moves impact other potential moves, so the Diamondbacks are looking for a sweet combination of moves.
“There’s free-agent situations and trade situations that are both out there for all the areas that we’re looking at. Trying to find what combinations go together in different ways is part of what we’re discussing right now.” — Mike Hazen
Top-50 Free Agents.
With my usual optimism, I have hope the Diamondbacks could sign a top-50 free agent. As of 14 December, how many were not signed?
- Top Ten: 6 were unsigned.
- Second Ten: 6 were unsigned.
- Third Ten: 5 were unsigned.
- Fourth Ten: 8 were unsigned.
- Fifth Ten: 9 were unsigned.
- Honorable Mentioned: 13 were unsigned.
My conclusion is that many top players remain available!
Summary.
For the Diamondbacks, this offseason has been quiet. The Diamondbacks made one big move and made some small moves, especially to improve team depth.
Compared to last season, the pace is acceptable. At this point in the last offseason, the Diamondbacks had acquired Eugenio Suarez, Eduardo Rodriguez, and Lordes Gurriel Jr.. This season, all three players remain with the team.
The Diamondbacks are actively exploring specific moves and combinations of moves. Many top players are available.