Diamondbacks News
National League Wild Card landscape: What teams do the Diamondbacks have to compete with?
by Alex Weiner [Arizona Sports]The National League has a clear favorite, three rebuilding clubs and a large swath of teams that range from young and promising to perennial contender, which should create a competitive atmosphere.
On Fangraphs, the Los Angeles Dodgers are projected to lead the NL with 96 wins, but there are 10 teams between 77 and 88 wins where a few breaks can cluster the group together.
One Last-Minute
Move the Diamondbacks Could Still Make Before Opening Day by Alex D’Agostino [SI]
There don’t tend to be many legitimately good free agent left-handed relievers just floating out there, unsigned. A move to acquire one would likely either require a trade or taking a flyer on a potential under-the-radar arm.
One option that is available, as much as D-backs fans might groan at it: former Diamondback Andrew Chafin was recently let go by the Minnesota Twins.
Chafin pitched to an elite 2.41 ERA in 42 games for the Twins and Nationals in 2025. He posted a 3.51 ERA in 62 games in 2024, one year following his departure from Arizona.
Diamondbacks’ Opening Day roster becomes clear, and there are no left-handed relievers by Alex Weiner [Arizona Sports]
“We feel very comfortable with some reverse split guys that can go out there and attack left-hand hitters,” Lovullo said. “The reason for this decision, and this is what I told Brandyn, is that our main pillar is filling up the strike zone. I felt like that was a little inconsistent. … He’s going to be in our bullpen in no time. So that’s the reason.”
Morillo and Ginkel were two arms Lovullo pointed to who could go after lefties, and Hoffmann had reverse splits in the minor leagues, as well.
Around the League
Best mound visit of Baumler’s life – finding out he’s a Major Leaguer by Dave Sessions [MLB]
Baumler induced groundouts from the first two batters he faced, Starling Marte and Jonathan India, before Schumacher suddenly sprung from the dugout steps and went out to the mound for a chat. The Rangers’ infielders converged and Schumaker broke the good news to Baumler – to a visit then filled with laughs and smiles.
Baumler did not allow a run in 9 1/3 innings over eight Cactus League appearances for the Rangers this spring, striking out 10 and walking two. At three levels in Baltimore’s farm system last season, Baumler posted a combined 2.04 ERA in 39 2/3 innings.
MLB Opening Day 2026: A guide to the offseason chaos by Jorge Castillo, Bradford Doolittle, Alden Gonzalez, Jesse Rogers, David Schoenfield [ESPN]
Opening week of the 2026 MLB season has arrived — after an offseason when chaos reigned supreme.
Not long after their historic late-season collapse, the New York Mets started an offseason overhaul that continued throughout the winter. Fresh off their 2025 World Series appearance, the Toronto Blue Jays added an ace to their rotation, the Baltimore Orioles brought in a slugging bat to anchor their lineup, and the Chicago Cubs finally made the big-name free agent signing their fans had been craving.
But in the end, it was the two-time reigning champion Los Angeles Dodgers who sent shock waves through the sport by signing the offseason’s No. 1 free agent to a record deal.
2026 Positional Power Rankings: Bullpen (No. 16-30) by Michael Rosen [FanGraphs]
28. Diamondbacks
With A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez both on the shelf for the foreseeable future, Kevin Ginkel — who, to be clear, posted a 7.36 ERA in 2025 while battling intermittent shoulder issues — started the offseason in the pole position to handle much of the team’s high-leverage work. Then his fastball was down two ticks this spring, and he got lit up, so that might’ve been the end of high-leverage Gink.
At least Paul Sewald is back in town. He appears to have added a cutterish pitch to his two-pitch arsenal, and his velocity has actually been up a bit in his brief spring action. Given the trend lines of these two, I’d pick Sewald to emerge as the preferred early-season closer option, but there are a few guys who are perhaps primed to seize the title as they gain a bit more big league experience.
JJ Wetherholt To Make Cardinals’ Opening Day Roster by Darragh McDonald [MLB Trade Rumors]
The news on Wetherholt is notable but not surprising. It has seemed all winter long as though the Cards had planned for him to get a shot in the big leagues. They cleared out their roster this winter by trading guys like Willson Contreras, Nolan Arenado and Brendan Donovan. Those trade were partly for cost savings but also to open some playing time for younger players as the Cards are rebuilding and need to assess their young guys in a major league environment.
Wetherholt was one of the main guys who needed some room. The seventh overall pick of the 2024 draft, he climbed to the cusp of the majors last year. He split his time between Double-A and Triple-A, making 496 plate appearances in total. His 14.5% walk rate was excellent and almost as high as his 14.7% strikeout rate. He produced a combined .306/.421/.510 batting line, which translated to a 154 wRC+. He stole 23 bases on the year. His defense at shortstop was considered good enough for him to stay there as a big leaguer but he also played some second and third base.
As the 2026 season drew closer and the annual top 100 lists came out, Wetherholt was in the top 10 of most of them. But at the beginning of the season, the Cards had a fairly crowded infield. Masyn Winn is one of the best defensive shortstops on the majors and is controlled for another four seasons. They had Arenado at third. Donovan could bounce around the diamond but played second base more than any other spot.
Why the Pittsburgh Pirates Sent Down Konnor Griffin by Michael McDermott [Mike’s Hardball Blueprint]
In the Prospect Promotion Incentive era, it’s tempting for the Pirates to play their top prospect. A first-place Rookie of the Year finish in 2026, or becoming an MVP finalist by 2028, would have netted Pittsburgh a first-round pick. Considering the Dodgers and Mets are spending like there’s no tomorrow, it would easily be a Top 30 selection.
However, we also have to remember that even with the potential reward of a first-rounder, the six-plus years of control are more valuable. The draft pick is merely a bonus if the timing lines up right for an elite prospect.
