Diamondbacks Trade Rumors: Bullpen Upgrades and First Base Options

The Arizona Diamondbacks headed into the offseason with a pretty clear plan. They wanted to stabilize the rotation, keep payroll under control, and find creative solutions for those nagging roster gaps.

The front office checked off some of that list. But big questions still hang over the bullpen and first base as they try to set up another postseason run.

Rotation Stability Comes First

This winter, Arizona put most of its energy into shoring up the starting rotation. After a rollercoaster 2024, the Diamondbacks decided they needed more reliable innings.

General manager Mike Hazen got to work.

Merrill Kelly and Michael Soroka Anchor the Plan

The biggest splash: re-signing Merrill Kelly on a two-year, $40 million deal. Kelly’s steady presence and leadership turned him into someone the team just couldn’t lose.

Arizona also took a shot on Michael Soroka with a one-year contract. They’re hoping the former All-Star can bounce back after a rough stretch of injuries.

Hazen admitted to the Arizona Republic that committing real money to the rotation meant less flexibility elsewhere. He basically said that if they’d gone after a big-name reliever, they might’ve lost Kelly. That just wasn’t worth the risk.

Bullpen Help Still on the To-Do List

Even with those rotation upgrades, the bullpen looks almost the same as last year. The only new face is Taylor Clarke, who signed a cheap one-year deal.

Fans and writers are left wondering what the actual plan is for a bullpen that had its share of wobbly moments.

Trades Preferred Over Free Agency

Hazen says he’s leaning toward trades for bullpen help. Payroll for 2026 is already on his mind, so big free agent contracts aren’t likely.

But, let’s be honest, it’s late in the offseason and the trade market isn’t exactly overflowing with options.

One name that keeps popping up is JoJo Romero from the Cardinals. He didn’t end up in the recent Nolan Arenado talks, though, so who knows?

The Rockies have some interesting young arms—

—but trading inside the division always gets tricky. Trevor Megill from the Brewers was in the rumor mill earlier, but Milwaukee may not be in a rush to shed salary after moving Freddy Peralta to the Mets.

First Base Becomes a Quiet Concern

There’s another issue quietly simmering: they need a right-handed bat at first base. Local radio host John Gambadoro says the Diamondbacks are actively looking.

Pavin Smith’s Platoon Problem

With Tyler Locklear out for the year after elbow and shoulder surgeries, the club will lean on Pavin Smith at first. Smith does fine against righties, but his career line versus lefties—.222/.296/.301—is pretty rough.

Honestly, it’s tough to see them getting through the season without adding a right-handed hitter for that spot.

Speculation Swirls Around Veteran Options

The rumor mill hasn’t slowed down. Talk of a Paul Goldschmidt reunion just won’t die.

Goldy, now 38, isn’t really an everyday guy anymore. But he hammered lefties last season with New York and could still help in a limited role.

Other Right-Handed First Base Targets

If Goldschmidt doesn’t work out, a few other veteran options are floating around:

Each guy offers something different. Still, all three could fill Arizona’s short-term need at first without messing up the payroll down the line.

Now, with the rotation looking steadier and some payroll room left, Hazen faces a tricky puzzle. He’s got to hunt for bullpen help and a right-handed first base bat—ideally, with moves that don’t blow up the team’s future or its shot at competing right now. Not exactly easy, is it?

 
Here is the source article for this story: Diamondbacks Notes: Bullpen, First Base