The Diamondbacks are heading into the offseason with one clear pitching priority: find a starter they can keep around.
General manager Mike Hazen told Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic that Arizona would like to add a controllable arm to the rotation. That kind of move is more likely to come through a trade than free agency, especially with the club planning to trim payroll rather than chase expensive help on the open market.
Arizona’s rotation was solid in spots this year, but it never quite clicked into a real strength. The group finished with a 4.28 ERA, and its 9.6% K-BB rate ranked ahead of only the Rockies. The run prevention was middling, and the strikeout production lagged badly.
Eduardo Rodriguez was the surprise bright spot. He delivered a 2.89 ERA across 32 starts even though the underlying indicators were less convincing, and he led the staff with 3.2 fWAR.
Michael Soroka and Brandon Pfaadt followed him as the next-best starters on the roster. Soroka put up a 2.89 ERA over 32 starts with a strong 24.1% strikeout rate, while Pfaadt worked to a sub-3.40 ERA by leaning on ground balls and control.
Soroka’s future is unresolved because he’s set to become a free agent if he turns down his side of a $10MM mutual option. Both sides have said they’re open to a reunion, but Arizona has multiple needs to juggle at once. The bullpen, first base, and left-handed hitting are all on the list as well.
Zac Gallen is also headed for free agency, though his case is a different one. His 30-year-old season was rough in nearly every way.
In 105 1/3 innings over 22 appearances, including 20 starts, he posted a 6.07 ERA, struck out just 13.6% of opposing hitters, and gave up 19 home runs. By FanGraphs’ measure, he was below replacement level, which gives the Diamondbacks plenty of reason to move on.
Corbin Burnes is the one obvious lock to remain in the mix. If Arizona builds around him, Rodriguez, Pfaadt, Merrill Kelly, and Ryne Nelson would make up the projected 2027 rotation.
Bringing back Soroka would help stabilize things, but even that wouldn’t fully answer the need for more swing-and-miss. Burnes is also set to go into his first full season in three years, which raises the possibility of an innings limit and makes another starter even more valuable.
If Hazen turns to the trade market, the Diamondbacks do have some pieces to work with. Jordan Lawlar and Ryan Waldschmidt are among the right-handed hitting outfield options Arizona could dangle.
Lawlar missed most of the season with right wrist and hamstring injuries, but he hit well in limited time and was still viewed as a Top 100 prospect as recently as 2025. Waldschmidt finished with a 93 wRC+ in 284 plate appearances.
Neither one would headline a deal by himself, but they could be paired with mid-tier prospects to chase the kind of controllable starter Arizona wants.
There should be no shortage of names to discuss. Seattle has Bryan Woo and Bryce Miller, both controlled for three more years.
Miller looks like the more realistic target after a down year, especially after a rough second half that included a 6.14 ERA and weaker strikeout and walk numbers in his final 13 starts beginning July 9. He had been much better in 2024, when he posted a 2.94 ERA in 31 starts.
Woo has the steadier track record, which would likely make him cost more in prospect capital.
Other clubs could enter the conversation too. The Angels have shopped Reid Detmers and are expected to do so again.
The Yankees might explore moving Will Warren, and a trade involving Ryan Weathers was discussed with the Padres, though nothing came together. Warren is under control through 2030 and posted a 23.3% strikeout rate this season.
The Pirates’ Carmen Mlodzinski fits a similar profile as an overqualified sixth starter, so Arizona could check in there as well.