Coach Wooden’s words of wisdom should be remembered here as we anxiously wait for Hazen to enter the Hot Stove.
First, make sure to nominate your D-backs Rookie of the Year! Now, on with the news…
Diamondbacks News
Potential D-backs Free Agency Target: Paul Goldschmidt by Aaron Hughes [SI]
The priority for Mike Hazen and the rest of the Diamondbacks’ front office is to put a winning team on the field. If the team adds Goldschmidt it would be because it can help the team win ballgames, and not because of jersey sales and ticket purchases.
Lovullo takes stock of ‘24 as D-backs turn page to ‘25 by Steve Gilbert [Dbacks.com]
When Lovullo was asked about whether Pavin Smith could be part of the solution at first base next season with the likely departure of free agent Christian Walker, Lovullo used a phrase that he has uttered almost any time Smith’s name comes up.
“You know what I’m going to say,” Lovullo said. “Pavin can hit.”
Diamondbacks checked in on Devin Williams before trade to Yankees by Michael McDermott [Mike’s Hardball Talk]
There aren’t many free agent targets that could slot into the closer role. They could target Carlos Estevez, who they should be familiar with due to his time in Colorado, but he’ll have a hot market after a strong 2024 season. Kyle Finnegan was floated about here as a potential candidate, but he had a nightmare second half that put him on the street despite making the All-Star team. Turning to aging options such as Kirby Yates (38) and Kenley Jansen (37) also carry significant risk, as they could fall off a cliff and put the team in a much worse situation with their bullpen.
Corbin Carroll Was MLB’s Most Valuable Baserunner in 2024 by Alex D-Agostino [SI]
While Reds speedy shortstop Elly De La Cruz posted the highest Net Bases Gained (+40) in 2024, and Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani recorded the most runs gained as a result of bases stolen (+7), there was another player who was the most valuable overall baserunner this past season.
According to said Statcast data, and an article from MLB.com, that player was Corbin Carroll.
Around the League
Where Will Corbin Burnes End Up? by Anthony Franco [MLB Trade Rumors]
The Giants would benefit greatly from an ace they could plug alongside Logan Webbin the rotation to replace Snell’s production. Yet San Francisco has already made a pair of big investments ($151MM on the Matt Chapman extension, $182MM for Willy Adames) within the past few months. Does ownership have interest in a deal that should easily exceed those already significant contracts?
Orioles sign Japanese righty Sugano to 1-year contract by Jake Rill [MLB]
In 2024, Sugano was named Central League MVP after recording a 1.67 ERA and 111 strikeouts in 156 2/3 innings over 24 starts. He owns a career 2.45 ERA in 281 games in Japan.
A’s Hope Springs Returns to Peak, Pay Rays Four-Piece Price by Eric Longenhagen [FanGraphs]
The A’s rotation becomes more stable with the shift from Joe Boyle to Springs because the later throws strikes, and with this move they take another step toward the division rivals who finished ahead of them in last year’s standings. It comes at the cost of a high pick in a good draft and Boyle’s potential ceiling. The comp pick heading to Tampa Bay is 36th overall in the draft. My broad assessment of the 2025 draft is that it has good depth, the tier of players that ordinarily peeters out in the comp round extends deep into the second round. The Rays now have four of the first 51 picks in the draft and their accompanying bonus pool space. It’s not typical for a small market team like the Athletics to part with a draft asset like this unless they are more obviously contending.
The Astros’ championship window appears to be closing after Kyle Tucker trade by Michael McDermott [Call to the Pen]
They still have a chance to repeat as American League West Champions in 2025, but following that season is when the picture gets even more murky for the Astros. Of their championship core, they could only extend Altuve, Alvarez, and Pressly. Staff ace Framber Valdez is slated to join Pressly in the free agent market following this upcoming season.
MLB managers survey: Skippers on rules, playoffs, each other [ESPN]
How do you feel about MLB’s current expanded playoff format after seeing it for multiple seasons?
Terry Francona, Cincinnati Reds: The one thing I wish they were able to change is … you’re seeing too much bullpen games in the playoffs. That’s not the way teams are really built. Now, I would like to see after 162 games, I would like to see teams have to use their entire roster. I think you would find the true best teams that way. Not just maybe teams that are top-heavy with a couple of good pitchers and with days off you can throw your bullpen. I mean, I get it. They’re competing. I’m not saying they’re wrong to do it. Just don’t think that’s the way our game is built.
Question of the Day
There’s been a lot of gnashing of teeth concerning the Diamondbacks’ lack of activity thus far in the offseason. I’d like to take this space to remind everyone that the bulk of Hazen’s offseason moves last year were made AFTER December 16th. Prior to that day, we had signed ERod and traded for Geno and that was it. One year ago today (December 17th), the Diamondbacks came to terms with Lourdes Gurriel Jr. on a 3-year deal. Then in January, Joc Pederson and Kevin Newman (for the first time that offseason) came aboard. The calendar change to February brought Randal Grichuk aboard and sent Dominic Fletcher to the Southside. And who could forget our buzzer-beating snag of one of the headlining “Boras Four” in late March? All told, about TWICE the 2024 fWAR was added to the team post-Winter Meetings compared with what we added before. There’s still a lot of deals to be made with players such as Burnes, Walker, Santander, Tanner Scott, Sasaki and many more still available.