Mike Hazen Outlines Diamondbacks’ Remaining Offseason Priorities

The Arizona Diamondbacks head into 2026 at a tricky crossroads. They’re juggling financial caution while facing a real need to improve a pitching staff that disappointed in 2025.

General manager Mike Hazen hasn’t minced words—pitching is the main focus. He’s dropped hints about adding a few bats too, but nothing flashy. Even with some offseason moves already done, everyone knows there’s more to do.

Diamondbacks Still Searching for Answers on the Mound

Pitching woes really defined Arizona’s struggles last season. The rotation managed just 9.0 fWAR in 2025, which falls way short for a team hoping to contend in the National League.

Injuries and underperformance kept the staff in flux. The front office has to rethink its approach for 2026, and there’s no easy fix.

Rotation Questions Loom Large

The club took a huge hit when Corbin Burnes needed Tommy John surgery, knocking him out for most of 2026. To make matters worse, Zac Gallen hit free agency after a rough 2025 and probably won’t be back—leaving a massive hole at the top.

Arizona tried to steady things by re-signing Merrill Kelly and bringing in Michael Soroka. Still, those moves don’t erase the question marks. Kelly and Ryne Nelson look like the top two starters for now, but honestly, both fit better in the middle of a good rotation.

Soroka’s injury history makes you wonder if he’s really a starter long-term, or if he’ll end up in the bullpen.

Internal Options Offer Limited Certainty

The Diamondbacks have some arms under team control. Consistency, though, has been tough to find.

Brandon Pfaadt and Eduardo Rodríguez both struggled last year, so there’s some doubt about how much they can be counted on. Nelson, who’s under arbitration through 2028, flashed some upside and might be the best bet for internal improvement.

Payroll Limits Shape Strategy

Payroll sits around $166 million, and ownership wants to keep spending in check. That takes the top free-agent starters off the table.

Arizona will probably look to the trade market for rotation upgrades. They’re not likely to commit big money or years right now.

Bullpen Help a Clear Priority

The bullpen? Honestly, it was a mess. Arizona relievers put up a 4.82 ERA in 2025, and late-inning collapses became all too familiar.

It got worse when Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk both needed Tommy John surgery. That left the relief corps even thinner.

Late-Inning Stability Needed

With Martinez and Puk on the mend, the Diamondbacks could really use a proven late-inning arm. Seranthony Domínguez leads the list of available free-agent relievers.

Other names like Pierce Johnson, Michael Kopech, and Danny Coulombe are also in the mix. Any of them would give manager Torey Lovullo some much-needed stability for the late innings.

Offense: Targeted Additions, Not Star Power

On offense, Hazen’s comments set the bar pretty low. With payroll tight and some depth already on hand, Arizona’s likely to look for role players instead of big names.

Platoon Fits and Bench Depth

Potential offensive targets include right-handed platoon options and versatile bench players. The team’s main focus seems to be first base and the corner outfield, looking for ways to get more out of specific matchups.

• First base platoon: Paul Goldschmidt, Rhys Hoskins
• Outfield/DH options: Miguel Andújar, Chas McCormick, Randal Grichuk
• Utility flexibility: Willi Castro

The Diamondbacks are walking a financial tightrope. These calculated additions could be what pushes them from another so-so finish into a real National League contender.

They aren’t done yet. How they spend or trade will probably shape their 2026 season more than anything else.

 
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