Have any resolutions for 2025?
First, make sure to nominate your D-backs Pitcher of the Year! Now, on with the news…
Diamondbacks News
D-backs finalize six-year contract with new ace Corbin Burnes by Steve Gilbert [Dbacks.com]
The Diamondbacks made their signing of right-hander Corbin Burnes to a six-year, $210 million contract official Monday night, though they will not formally introduce him until after New Year’s.
D-backs must leverage rotation surplus to strengthen lineup long-term by Michael McDermott [Mike’s Hardball Talk]
The D-backs have one of two options:
1.Deal Zac Gallen, a Top 10 National League starter, to recoup value ahead of his free agency next season.
2.Deal Nelson or Pfaadt to sacrifice long-term rotation depth to fill another hole on the roster
It’s not an easy choice to make but it could very well decide the future direction of the franchise. Here’s what could be in play depending on which starter the team ultimately deals in the coming months.
One D-backs Trade Target From Each MLB Team: American League by Aaron Hughes [SI]
The Arizona Diamondbacks still have a long offseason ahead. They kicked things off with a bang, trading for Josh Naylor, and signing star pitcher Corbin Burnes to a franchise record deal.
Now the D-backs will turn back to the market to fill their remaining holes. We took a look at what is left to be done HERE.
Corbin Burnes contract details include deferred money, no-trade clause by Alex Weiner [Arizona Sports]
Gambadoro reported Burnes will make $20 million per year over the first two seasons of the deal before the opt-out. If he opts in, the annual earnings go up to $25 million for the next four years.
That leaves $60 million ($10 million per season) in deferred money with payments to begin in 2031, not quite the Shohei Ohtani deferments but a weighty amount. It will be paid out over six years, notably with no interest — the 2001 D-backs had 17 players with deferred money on their deals with interest that added up over the ensuing years.
Around the League
Wolfe: Market Size “Ins’t A Factor” In Sasaki’s Decision by Anthony Franco [MLB Trade Rumors]
Sasaki has conducted initial meetings with at least seven teams, most of whom are big-market franchises. Previous reports indicated he met with Dodgers, Rangers, Yankees, Mets and Cubs. The Giants are believed to have gotten a meeting as well. Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports today that the Padres were also granted a meeting during Sasaki’s trip to the U.S. earlier this month.
Remembering the baseball greats we lost this year by Will Leitch [MLB]
Jay Jaffe’s 2025 Hall of Fame Ballot by Jay Jaffe [FanGraphs]
I say this every year but it bears repeating: I’m standing on the shoulders of giants in the field of baseball analysis, people who entered this industry without going through traditional newspaper outlets and who either were never admitted into the BBWAA or didn’t last long enough within it to vote. I’d prefer a voting process that found room for them and for other experts from beyond the mainstream, but so long as it doesn’t, I’ll do my best to represent.
Astros, Miguel Castro Agree To Minor League Deal by Anthony Franco [MLB Trade Rumors]
Castro, who turned 30 last week, is aiming to pitch his way onto an MLB roster for an 11th straight year. The well-traveled righty has suited up for six different teams. Castro carries a 4.20 earned run average in nearly 500 MLB innings. He’d generally posted an ERA in the low-4.00s, including a 4.31 mark through an NL-high 75 appearances for the Diamondbacks in 2023. That triggered a $5MM vesting option for the ’24 season.
Two-time champ Pederson aims to ‘continue to win’ with Rangers [ESPN]
“It’s a great fit. A lot of our goals align,” Pederson said. “The Rangers obviously won a World Series in ‘23, and they’re not satisfied. They want to continue to win. And I want to be in a place that wants to win. … It’s fun to get with Seager again.”
Cam Newton claims ‘dying’ baseball will be surpassed by WNBA by Dan Benton [YardBarker]
“Who’s really paying attention to baseball — especially paying attention to baseball in the regular season?” Newton said. “Baseball is like a — I hate to say it — a dying sport. I think baseball will be surpassed by the WNBA in 20 years.
“Baseball ain’t even being played by Americans anymore.”
:eyeroll:
Question of the Day