The Arizona Diamondbacks are making moves this winter, but it’s hard to figure out exactly what they’re trying to accomplish.
Two years removed from their magical 2023 World Series run, the D-backs have been busy adding pieces. They’ve signed James McCann and Michael Soroka to one-year deals and brought back Merrill Kelly on a two-year contract after trading him to Texas last season.
The biggest splash came when they acquired Nolan Arenado from the Cardinals. That move seems to have taken trade pressure off Ketel Marte, which is good news for Arizona fans.
But the overall picture remains murky.
The Athletic’s Chad Jennings captured the confusion perfectly when he wrote about the D-backs’ winter strategy:
“Apparently, they’re not trading Ketel Marte, but they did trade for Nolan Arenado? Jake McCarthy is gone, but Merrill Kelly is back? Zac Gallen is still a free agent, but Michael Soroka is now in the rotation? I mean, it’s unclear what’s happening with every non-Dodgers team in the NL West, so maybe this is good enough.”
That last point hits the real issue. While Arizona has been active, they’re still trying to keep up with the Dodgers in what’s become an increasingly tough division.
The Gallen Problem
The most glaring question mark is Zac Gallen’s status. He’s still a free agent, which leaves a massive hole at the top of Arizona’s rotation. Gallen has been the ace of this staff for years, and replacing that production won’t be easy.
Soroka’s a decent pickup, but he’s coming off injury issues and isn’t close to being a front-line starter. Kelly provides veteran depth, but at 36, he’s not the answer for a team with playoff aspirations.
Adding Arenado gives the D-backs a proven veteran presence and should help their offense. Keeping Marte happy is crucial too – he’s been their most consistent performer and trading him would’ve signaled a step backward.
The problem is that in the NL West, standing still often means falling behind. The Dodgers continue to reload, and even the Padres and Giants have made moves to stay competitive.
Arizona’s front office seems to be betting that their 2023 magic wasn’t a fluke and that this core can get back to October. But without addressing the rotation properly, they might find themselves watching the playoffs from home again.
