SAN ANTONIO — The free-agent market features varying tiers of starting pitchers, but with so many teams hunting for more innings, it’s no surprise that clubs are also exploring trade opportunities to improve rotations.
The Arizona Diamondbacks emerged as a team receiving significant interest from clubs looking for starters, league sources said at this week’s general managers’ meetings.
The Pittsburgh Pirates have also attracted interest, league sources said, though there aren’t many teams in position to deal starting pitchers like Arizona. To rival execs, the Diamondbacks stand out as interesting because they’re a competitive team boasting more options and more quality.
Zac Gallen (projected to earn $14.1 million through the arbitration process) is one of the league’s best pitchers and will be a free agent after the 2025 season. Merrill Kelly ($7 million), who dealt with injury last season, will also be a free agent. Same for Jordan Montgomery ($23.75 million), who struggled in his first year with Arizona. The Diamondbacks also have Eduardo Rodriguez (signed through 2027 with a mutual option for 2028), Brandon Pfaadt (five years of club control) and Ryne Nelson (four years of club control).
So the Diamondbacks have to at least listen, especially because they have some of their own needs to address.
Arizona has expressed interest in adding another late-innings reliever, possibly a closer, to go along with right-hander Justin Martinez and lefty A.J. Puk in the backend, league sources said. The Diamondbacks could accomplish this through free agency or via trade, potentially involving one of their starters. If they trade one of their veteran starters, it’s also possible they could land a younger option in return.
The Diamondbacks, who missed this year’s playoffs by one game after advancing to the World Series in 2023, also need offense. First baseman Christian Walker and outfielders Joc Pederson and Randal Grichuk all became free agents.
There is a perception that All-Star closer Devin Williams will get traded now that the Milwaukee Brewers have declined their $10.5 million club option for next season. But Milwaukee general manager Matt Arnold, who was recently voted executive of the year by his peers, maintained that the club will be open-minded, a key to its consistent, small-market success.
In 22 games this season, Devin Williams had a 1.25 ERA and 14 saves in 15 chances. (Charles LeClaire / Imagn Images)
Williams is slated to receive a $250,000 buyout and go back into the arbitration system for one more year before becoming a free agent. His estimated salary through the arbitration process could be roughly $9 million.
One league source saw this less as a Brewers-specific situation and more as just part of the game. When José Abreu outperformed the six-year, $68 million contract he originally signed with the Chicago White Sox coming out of Cuba, the slugger opted out halfway through, so that he could earn significantly more as an arbitration-eligible player under club control for multiple seasons.
The Brewers surely aren’t the only team that would use a procedural move to save about $1 million.
Once celebrated as one of the game’s most marketable stars, Kris Bryant has faded with the Colorado Rockies. Injuries — particularly a chronic issue with his back — have limited Bryant to only 33 percent of his team’s games since signing a seven-year, $182 million contract after the lockout ended in 2022.
Those long-term deals are supposed to be maximized on the front end, but Colorado’s three-year window has seen three last-place finishes in a brutally competitive division. Bryant’s production in a part-time role (.713 OPS) has not come close to his peak All-Star years with the Chicago Cubs. Trying to get the former MVP back on track, the Rockies are planning to bring Bryant into Denver and their Arizona training complex for periodic check-ins throughout the winter.
“So far, all the reports I’ve gotten are very positive,” Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt said. “There was no surgery or anything. It’s just about strengthening the back and rehabbing it and doing some baseball activities, ramping up maybe a little earlier than he normally would.”
Otherwise, the Rockies hope Bryant, who will turn 33 in January, can have a normal offseason and go through a full spring training.
“That’s our goal,” Schmidt said. “The expectation is that he shows up healthy and ready to compete and help us win games.”
(Top photo of Zac Gallen: Michael McLoone / Imagn Images)
