{"id":17130,"date":"2025-12-04T15:09:49","date_gmt":"2025-12-04T23:09:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/?p=17130"},"modified":"2025-12-04T15:09:49","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T23:09:49","slug":"diamondbacks-winter-transaction-possibilities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2025\/12\/04\/diamondbacks-winter-transaction-possibilities\/","title":{"rendered":"Diamondbacks Winter Transaction Possibilities"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Arizona Diamondbacks<\/a> Winter transaction possibilities for the 2026 season are vast. They went 80\u201382 in 2025 and missed the playoffs, so this winter is extremely important if they want to contend for a playoff spot. As of December 4, 2025, they\u2019ve already made two small moves, signing veteran catcher James McCann<\/a><\/strong> to a 1-year deal and re-signing Tommy Henry<\/strong><\/a>, a possibly a late-season twenty total innings guy out of the bullpen coming off Tommy John surgery, but the big decisions are still in front of them.<\/p>\n

Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick has already said payroll will probably be a bit lower than last year.\u00a0 A year in which they set a franchise record on payroll. Right now they\u2019re sitting around $140 million in committed contracts, and most reports say the 2026 payroll should end up somewhere in the $170\u2013180 million range. That means the D-backs can spend some money, but they\u2019re not likely to chase the biggest, most expensive stars.\u00a0 But, $30-$40 million is enough to get 3 solid players to fill the needed holes.\u00a0 For purposes of this article, we’ll use $35 million as the spending cap.\u00a0 We’ll also assume they are going to fill third base from within.\u00a0 Jordan Lawler and Blaze Alexander<\/strong><\/a> might be tested sharing the hot corner, so no third base free-agent signing or trades are discussed here.<\/p>\n

The Big Need: Pitching Without Breaking the Bank<\/h3>\n

The Diamondbacks pitching was decent last season. Their team ERA was around 4.50, ranking in the bottom third of the majors. For anyone who watched the this team all year, they know the bullpen was the major weak spot.\u00a0 On top of that, they most likely will lose Zac Gallen<\/strong><\/a> in addition to losing Merrill Kelly<\/strong><\/a>, Josh Naylor<\/strong><\/a>, and Eugenio Suarez<\/strong><\/a> to trades during the season. And Ace pitcher Corbin Burnes<\/strong><\/a> is expected to miss a good chunk of 2026. Because of that, look for the Diamondbacks Winter transaction possibilities will be focused on the mound.<\/p>\n

Reuniting with Merrill Kelly (about 60% chance) <\/strong><\/p>\n

There is a pretty good chance that Merrill Kelly will come back on a short, one or two-year deal in the $12\u201315 million range, and he has openly stated he\u2019d love to be a Diamondback again. He didn’t pitch great after being traded, having his worst ERA and WHIP in the last five years with the Texas Rangers<\/a>. That is going to hurt his market value a little. Two years for $28 million seems reasonable and takes up $14 million of the available $35 million.<\/p>\n

Signing\/Trading for at least one mid-rotation starter (about 70%) <\/strong><\/p>\n

Names like Brady Singer<\/strong><\/a> or Zack Littell<\/strong><\/a> are the type of pitcher the Diamondbacks could afford: not an ace, but a dependable starter who can throw innings. It feels very likely they grab at least one pitcher in that price range. Singer has thrown over 150 IP for five straight years, although his ERA and WHIP are usually pretty high.\u00a0 But, he’s only 29, so that probably makes him too costly at about $13 million for 2026. Zack Littell might make a bit more sense. Littell has pitched over 100 \u00a0innings in both seasons (2024 & 2025) he’s been a starting pitcher.<\/p>\n

Zach Littell<\/h4>\n

Next season, at\u00a0<\/span>age\u00a0<\/span>30, Littell<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>will\u00a0<\/span>no doubt surpass <\/span>his\u00a0<\/span>previous\u00a0<\/span>earnings,\u00a0<\/span>which\u00a0<\/span>has <\/span>never\u00a0<\/span>exceeded\u00a0<\/span>$5.72\u00a0<\/span>million\u00a0<\/span>in\u00a0<\/span>a\u00a0<\/span>single\u00a0<\/span>season. Almost every year he\u00a0has\u00a0<\/span>posted\u00a0<\/span>better\u00a0<\/span>stats\u00a0<\/span>than\u00a0<\/span>Singer,\u00a0<\/span>and\u00a0<\/span>this\u00a0<\/span>improvement\u00a0<\/span>might make him <\/span>a<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>bargain\u00a0<\/span>deal.\u00a0<\/span>The\u00a0<\/span>Tampa\u00a0<\/span>Bay\u00a0<\/span><\/a>Rays,\u00a0<\/span>who\u00a0<\/span>traded\u00a0<\/span>him\u00a0<\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>Cincinnati\u00a0<\/span><\/a>Reds\u00a0<\/span>last\u00a0<\/span>year,\u00a0<\/span>want\u00a0<\/span>him\u00a0<\/span>back,\u00a0<\/span>but\u00a0<\/span>because\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>team\u00a0<\/span>rarely\u00a0<\/span>spends\u00a0<\/span>heavily,\u00a0<\/span>they\u00a0<\/span>will\u00a0<\/span>likely\u00a0<\/span>offer\u00a0<\/span>him\u00a0<\/span>a\u00a0<\/span>one-year\u00a0<\/span>contract\u00a0<\/span>worth\u00a0<\/span>around\u00a0<\/span>$10\u00a0<\/span>million. <\/span>TheDiamondbacks could lure him away from that for two years for $20 million since they have a better chance at getting into the playoffs. Littell fits what the Diamondbacks need. Take off another $10 million from the available budget, laving $11 million to go.<\/p>\n

Fixing the Bullpen on a Budget<\/h3>\n

Most experts call the bullpen the team\u2019s biggest problem from 2025, so it almost has to be addressed. The problem is that the closer market has exploded. Ryan Helsley<\/strong><\/a> just got two years and $28 million from the Baltimore Orioles<\/a>, and that kind of contract probably scares the Diamondbacks away from top-shelf closers. Instead, look for them to hunt for \u201cvalue\u201d relievers.<\/p>\n

Bullpen Predictions<\/h4>\n

Some have already linked them to a possible reunion with Luke Weaver<\/strong><\/a>, a pitcher who could work multiple innings and even close if needed. This kind of move is cheap compared to star closers and matches the front office’s style. Weaver had a WHIP of under 1.10 in the last two seasons he’s been a full-time reliever. That’s exceptionally good, but he’s also thirty-two years old in 2026, which will probably limit his earnings.\u00a0 He’s probably a steal at $10 or $11 million a year for two or three years.\u00a0 It would be a great signing for the Diamondbacks to bring him back, and the $11 million would fit perfectly into the remaining budget.<\/p>\n

Trade Talk: Outfielders and Ketel Marte<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Diamondbacks have a crowded outfield, and several reports say Jake McCarthy<\/strong><\/a> is an obvious trade candidate. He\u2019s fast, plays good defense, and is still in his arbitration years, which makes him attractive to other teams. There\u2019s also buzz about the Diamondbacks talking to the Pittsburgh Pirates<\/a> and other clubs about swapping bats for pitching.<\/p>\n

At the same time, Ketel Marte<\/strong><\/a>\u2019s name keeps popping up in national rumor lists. Some outlets say teams like the Chicago Cubs<\/a>,\u00a0 Anaheim Angels<\/a>, New York Yankees<\/a>, and Philadelphia Phillies<\/a> have checked in, and that the Diamondbacks at least listening. But his contract is team-friendly and he\u2019s still a star, so it would take a huge offer.<\/p>\n

Trade predictions:<\/strong><\/p>\n