Obviously, there were some players who were always going to be offered contracts: no way was the team letting Ryne Nelson or Gabriel Moreno walk. But there had been speculation that the team would look
to save money by not tendering contracts to some of their arbitration candidates. Names like Kevin Ginkel, estimated to earn $3 million in arbitration this year, after an ERA of 7.36 across 29 appearances last season, were among those suggested as potential walk candidates. A.J. Puk, with a projected arbitration salary of $3.4 million was another, since he underwent elbow surgery in mid-June and so will likely only be around for half the season.
In the end though, there was only one new non-tender, Taylor Rashi. That move freed up a spot on the 40-man roster for new signee, catcher James McCann. Tommy Henry, who had been designated for assignment earlier in the week and taken off the 40-man roster, was also non-tendered. Both those men are still in the pre-arbitration phases of their career, so the money saved by these decisions is going to be basically nothing, since their roster spots will still require filling at the same league minimum. Henry appeared in just two games this season, and Henry ten, between them pitching 23 innings, so they didn’t have much impact on the team as a whole either.
However, it does bring us some clarity with regard to the Diamondbacks’ payroll situation. While we still have no idea what the expected ceiling is going to be, and the arbitration situation for a number of players remains to be determined, this does at least give us a floor from which to work. Jack Sommers, wielding a mean abacus as ever, figured out yesterday that the team’s current payroll commitments sat at just under $142 million. As noted, today’s non-tenders are basically a zero-sum decision, but the signing of McCann will add $2.75 million, and possibly slightly more after bonuses. That’ll move the current tally up to almost $145 million.
As Jack also mentioned, the willingness of the team to commit to the likes of Puk and Ginkel does suggest they are not in full penny-pinching mode. Comments by owner Ken Kendrick have indicated that the payroll for 2026 is unlikely to establish another new franchise record, as was the case for each of the last two seasons. They currently sit around $50 million below than their Opening Day 2025 payroll. But speaking at the winter meetings, GM Mike Hazen did not seem too concerned, saying, “Are we going to be doing what we did last offseason? Probably not. But I don’t think I have zero wiggle room or avenues to pursue players.”
There are certainly gaps to be filled. The Diamondbacks probably need at least two starting pitchers, multiple bullpen arms, plus perhaps some help at the corner infield, left- and center-field positions. Where they spend whatever money they have for free-agents, where Hazen opts to use prospect capital instead, and where he opts to stand pat, are choices which will unfold over the course of the next three months or so.
