Team news
[SI] Diamondbacks 2026 Projections Reveal Some Surprises – The bullpen is projected to get positive contributions from many of the young relievers acquired in trade at the 2025 trade deadline, as well as previous internal options. Below table is sorted by projected innings pitched. The 4.01 projected ERA would represent an incredible improvement from last year’s 4.82 bullpen ERA. 2.5 WAR from the relief core would also be a marked improvement from last year when they were in negative territory. Of
course the D-backs are expected to still add to the relief pitching group, but as currently constituted, I would expect Brandyn Garcia to carry a heavy load from the left side.
[Arizona Sports] D-backs signing Alex Bregman a ‘longshot’ as Ketel Marte trade front is quiet – A Bregman acquisition is a “longshot” with the Ketel Marte trade noise quiet. “To this point, (the D-backs) have not gotten a package that is deemed good enough to make a Ketel Marte trade,” Gambadoro said Friday on Burns & Gambo. Recent reports suggested that there’s a scenario where Arizona can hold onto both Bregman and Marte, but Gambadoro shot that down. If the free agent infielder does indeed come to the desert, Marte would be playing somewhere else. “He wants five years and all this money, which is not in the wheelhouse of the Arizona Diamondbacks, so the numbers would have to come down. They’d have to get very creative,” Gambadoro said.
[Burn City Sports] Diamondbacks’ deal with RHP Jose Urquidy falls through – According to reports from Beisbol Puro on Friday, talks between the Diamondbacks and right-handed pitcher Jose Urquidy fell through, removing a pitcher the team had hoped would factor into its rotation plans. The development slightly alters Arizona’s remaining offseason strategy as it searches for pitching depth. Urquidy, a 30-year-old native of Mexico, is reportedly expected to pitch for Leones del Escogido in the Dominican Winter League to showcase himself to additional major league scouts. The decision suggests Urquidy is seeking a guaranteed major league opportunity rather than a minor league deal with the Diamondbacks.
[ClutchPoints] Diamondbacks sign ex-Cardinals slugger – The Arizona Diamondbacks strengthened their farm system Friday by signing former St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Luken Baker to a minor league contract. Baker, who also spent time in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization in 2025, brings a track record of power hitting and seven seasons of professional experience. Listed at 6’4″ and 285 pounds, Baker profiles as a traditional power hitter, primarily suited for first base and designated hitter roles. Arizona may view him as a potential platoon partner for left-handed first baseman Pavin Smith, who batted .258 with eight home runs and a .797 OPS over 87 games in 2025. Baker could produce strong numbers in 2026, giving the Diamondbacks a low-risk opportunity to evaluate his ability to contribute at the major league level.
@dbacksprospectz on X: “Decided to make a small #Dbacks depth chart! It is not perfect, as it can change drastically with a trade or other front-office moves.”
Rosterbation
[ClutchPoints] 1 blockbuster move Blue Jays must make after MLB Winter Meetings – LHP Ricky Tiedemann and RHP Jake Bloss. Tiedemann is an intriguing talent with legitimate ceiling potential — he possesses a plus fastball that touched 98 mph pre-injury and a devastating sweeper. However, his trajectory has been complicated by elbow issues and Tommy John surgery in July 2024. Tiedemann represents that prospect with ceiling potential that excites scouts despite the durability concerns. Bloss, acquired from Houston in the Yusei Kikuchi deal, struggled in his MLB debut with a 6.94 ERA, but his minor league track record suggests he’s a legitimate prospect with a mid-rotation ceiling. At 23 with multiple years of contractual control, he provides Arizona organizational depth and another arm that could develop into a solid back-end starter.
[Newsweek] Ketel Marte Prediction: Diamondbacks Trade Star To Emerging NL Contender – The Cincinnati Reds make the most sense for Marte on the surface. The Reds need to upgrade over Matt McLain at second base, and there’s no better option than Marte. Adding him to the lineup alongside Elly De La Cruz would be the best-case scenario for the Reds and manager Terry Francona. Cincinnati also has the pitching to send to Arizona in the return. Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, and Rhett Lowder could all be used as a headliner in a deal for Marte.
And, elsewhere…
[Heavy] Former Diamondbacks Starter Nabil Crismatt Inks Deal with Rangers – Former Diamondbacks pitcher Nabil Crismatt has found a new home this winter. Per El Extrabase’s Daniel Álvarez-Montes, the Colombian pitcher has agreed to a minor league pact with the Texas Rangers. It will serve as his second stint with the Rangers, after pitching for their Triple-A affiliate in 2024. Crismatt, 31, has bounced around eight different organizations over the years. His journey in professional baseball has seen stops with the Mets, Cardinals, Mariners, Rangers, Padres, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, and Phillies. In all, he’s appeared in 122 MLB games and carries a career 3.71 ERA over 211 innings.
[MLB.com] A 2026 bounceback candidate for each team – D-backs: RHP Brandon PfaadtAfter signing a contract extension in the spring, Pfaadt suffered through an inconsistent season, but the same characteristics that prompted the Diamondbacks to sign him to the deal — work ethic, mental toughness and stuff — are the same ones that make them feel he will bounce back in a big way in 2026. Pfaadt had trouble finding consistency with the sweeper, his best pitch, in 2025, so tightening that up will be a focus for him this offseason and throughout Spring Training. The development of a cutter last year should also help him going forward as he gets more and more comfortable with it.
[Reddit] With Andrew Heaney’s retirement, Mike Trout is now the only active player to be part of an Angels winning season – The last time the Angels had a winning season was 2015, this was their full roster that year and all of those players (except Trout) are now retired or inactive. (I’ve also checked previous winning Angels seasons.) Edit: I overlooked Rich Hill throwing literally 19 pitches for the 2014 Angels. Not sure how “active” he currently is, but it’s true he hasn’t retired… Pujols was on that roster and he could be inducted into the HoF before the next Angels winning season
