The Arizona Diamondbacks are sitting in an awkward spot as the All-Star break arrives. They’re nowhere near the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West, but at 48-47, they’re still hanging around the Wild Card race, just 3.5 games out of a postseason position. That leaves the front office with a messy deadline decision: push in, or start thinking about what comes next.
A rumor from USA Today’s Bob Nightengale suggests Arizona could lean toward the second option. In his report, Nightengale named five pitchers who could be available this summer: Eduardo Rodriguez, Michael Soroka, Merrill Kelly, Zac Gallen, and closer Paul Sewald.
“The Diamondbacks, who have been mired in mediocrity, could have starters Eduardo Rodriguez, Michael Soroka, Merrill Kelly, and Zac Gallen available along with closer Paul Sewald,” Nightengale writes.
If that kind of group actually hits the market, Arizona would be in position to bring back a serious haul. But it would also be a clear signal that the club is looking past this year and treating 2026 as the next real chance to contend.
That would be a surprising turn for a team still within reach of a playoff spot. The more likely path to a sell-off, at least based on this rumor, would be a rough start after the break. If Arizona slips to more than five games out of the Wild Card picture by the deadline, the calculus could change fast.
The names on the list aren’t all equal in terms of what moving them would mean. Sewald, Gallen, Kelly, and Soroka are all free agents after the 2026 season, so dealing them this summer would fit the logic of a team choosing to sell.
Rodriguez is the one that stands out. He’s been an All-Star-level arm for Arizona, posting a 2.29 ERA in 19 starts with 4.2 bWAR this season. He’s also under a four-year, $80 million deal that runs through 2027, which makes him a much bigger surprise as a possible trade piece.
With the August 3 deadline approaching, this is the kind of rumor Diamondbacks fans will be watching closely. If Arizona falls further out of the race in the NL Wild Card, a major rotation shakeup could be on the table, and Rodriguez could be part of it.
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Diamondbacks Suddenly Have A Bigger Zac Gallen Problem Than Expected
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The bigger issue for the Diamondbacks is that this is not happening in a vacuum. Their rotation is already stretched thin with Corbin Burnes and Ryne Nelson on the 60-day injured list, and Michael Soroka still without a firm return timeline, so losing Gallen even briefly would force more patchwork innings than they can afford. It also adds another layer of concern around a pitcher whose performance has already been under the microscope, making the next step in his recovery feel especially important for a team trying to stay afloat. [Read more 🡒]
Diamondbacks Deadline Drama Suddenly Centers On One Untouchable Star
As the Diamondbacks weigh whether to sell pieces before the trade deadline, the conversation has quickly narrowed around Ketel Marte, the clubs All-Star second baseman and one of the most important bats in the lineup. Marte has been one of Arizonas steadier offensive forces this season, and his long-term presence has only become more central as the front office sorts out what kind of move, if any, makes sense in July.
Martes name has come up before in trade chatter, but his situation is now far different from a typical deadline chip. He is signed long term and has the kind of contractual control that gives him a real say in where this goes next, which makes him a difficult player to move even if Arizona wanted to listen. For a team trying to balance present urgency with future planning, that leaves the Diamondbacks in a familiar spot: exploring options around the roster while one of their best players remains firmly at the center of the discussion. [Read more 🡒]
Diamondbacks Just Sent A Strong Message With Their Day 1 Draft Haul
The first day of the 2026 MLB Draft gave the Diamondbacks a clear look at the kind of talent they wanted to stockpile, starting with catcher Ryder Helfrick at No. 15 and continuing with a run of athletic, up-the-middle players and arms. Arizona followed that by adding shortstop Carson Kerce and center fielder Brayden Dowd, a group that fits a front office looking for versatility, defensive value and room to grow.
What stood out most was the way the board came together around that profile, with scouting director Ian Rebhan pointing to the skills and upside behind each pick. The biggest swing of the day came with right-hander Blake Bryant at No. 31, a selection that underscored the clubs emphasis on projectible pitching and gave the draft class a different kind of ceiling as the rest of the weekend unfolds. [Read more 🡒]