PHNX Daily: Putting Together a D-backs Offseason Checklist

PHNX Daily: Putting Together a D-backs Offseason ChecklistStory byArizona Diamondbacks pitchers Corbin Burnes and Brandon Pfaadt (32) watch the Los Angeles Dodgers score four runs in the fourth inning during the season home finale at Chase Field in Phoenix on Sept. 25, 2025.Alex D’AgostinoTue, December 2, 2025 at 6:39 PM UTC·5 min read

👋 GOOD MORNING – Happy Tuesday everyone. Well, the holiday is over (for now) and it’s time to get back to the grind.

It was a somewhat quiet day in Arizona sports, other than the Suns taking down the Lakers yesterday (hopefully Devin Booker is okay…)

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With the MLB Winter Meetings just about a week away, I figured now would be a good time to put together an offseason checklist for the D-backs. It’s been pretty quiet so far, so hopefully this can help jumpstart some offseason excitement.

And don’t forget, you can become a diehard for just $26! Hurry, the sale won’t last long!

On to it!

— Alex D’Agostino, PHNX Sports Daily Editor

Assembling a D-backs Offseason Checklist

Arizona Diamondbacks base runner Corbin Carroll (7) slides back in safely to first base against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chase Field in Phoenix, on Sept. 24, 2025.

Well, this isn’t going to be easy, that’s for sure.

The Diamondbacks are in a tough spot after a brutal 2025 season. Despite ending the year on a pretty hot month of September, there’s no denying the expectations of greatness were anything but the ultimate outcome.

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And now, Arizona is in a tough spot, after losing half of their best pitchers to injury and another chunk of their best players to a seller’s Trade Deadline.

Suddenly, the D-backs may struggle to even put together a fully-rounded roster in the 2026 season.

It’s been a quiet early offseason for GM Mike Hazen and Co., with the exception of one smaller (but important) signing.

With the Winter Meetings looming, it’s time to flesh out the entirety of Arizona’s needs, in hopes that Christmas comes early in the form of a signing or trade.

D-backs Offseason Checklist

(Ranked by order of priority)

1: Starting pitcher (x2)

The D-backs, above all else, need quality starting pitching. This comes a year after Arizona’s rotation posted an 11th-worst 4.29 ERA in 2025. I’d hate to know what it would’ve looked like without Ryne Nelson and his 3.39 ERA.

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But with Corbin Burnes expecting to be out until at least mid-July, and a reunion with both Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly (unfortunately) seeming unlikely, the D-backs are going to have to find a way to land not one, but two starters capable of providing quality innings.

Maybe that comes in the form of a splash trade for an ace-type arm, or some smaller, inning-eater additions, but the D-backs simply can’t expect to survive long with Cristian Mena and Bryce Jarvis as their default SP4 and SP5, at least for now.

2: Closer

The Diamondbacks need a closer. In other news, the sky is blue, a fork was found in the kitchen, and the Arizona Cardinals are a bad football team.

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As Arizona awaits the return of A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez from their respective injuries, adding a proven veteran closer on a short-term deal would bring some needed stability to the ninth inning.

3: Setup man

The rest of the D-backs bullpen is still somewhat shaky, and as much as I know he’s a fan-favorite, I don’t trust Andrew Saalfrank fully, yet. There’s some amount of talent in this bullpen, but both Kevin Ginkel and Ryan Thompson seemed like shakier versions of themselves in 2025. Adding another competent leverage arm is never a bad idea.

4: First baseman

The D-backs’ first base situation is pretty sticky right now. Tyler Locklear’s status is unclear after he had surgery on both his elbow and shoulder, and Pavin Smith is coming off a down year. Following Josh Naylor’s departure, Arizona’s .560 OPS from August 1 onward ranked last in MLB in 2025.

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A reunion deal with Paul Goldschmidt to be the short side of a platoon with Smith could be beneficial, or maybe Arizona looks for an everyday first baseman entirely. Either way, they need production out of that key position, and it feels foolish to bank on Smith and Locklear alone.

5: Backup Catcher ✅

Hey, they did this one! The D-backs brought back veteran catcher James McCann on a one-year, $2.75 million deal worth up to $3.25 million. Not only is he a solid bat behind the oft-injured Gabriel Moreno, he worked well with the pitching staff and helped stabilize a reeling group of starters with his veteran presence and pitch-calling.

6: Right-handed outfielder

The D-backs will be without Lourdes Gurriel Jr. as he recovers from a torn ACL, and traded Randal Grichuk to the Royals at the Deadline. While Corbin Carroll remains a superstar, there’s very little outfield production (or power), and the only right-handed options are Jorge Barrosa (light-hitting switch-hitter) and Tim Tawa (superutility).

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Perhaps Blaze Alexander (or Jordan Lawlar) finds a more permanent home out there, but adding a right-handed bat to the outfield with some power upside could help round out the bottom of the lineup.

Quick Hits

Ballhawk U: For the second week in a row, Wildcats senior DB Dalton Johnson earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors for his efforts in the Territorial Cup victory. Johnson totaled three tackles, a forced fumble and an interception on Friday night.

Wildcat basketball remained firmly put at No. 2 in the AP Poll.

No Window: Kyler Murray, though now eligible to come off IR, did not have his practice window opened, according to head coach Jonathan Gannon this week. Murray continues to battle a foot injury that has held him out since week 5.

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Lake Show: The Suns dominated the Los Angeles Lakers on the road. Dillon Brooks dropped 33 points and Collin Gillespie drained eight three-pointers for 28 on the night. It was a complete team win, but…

Devin Booker exited the game early with a groin injury and did not return. We still can’t have nice things.

Tip of the Hat by Branded Bills

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