Diamondbacks Enter Free Agency With Money To Spend And Holes To Fill

The Arizona Diamondbacks made it to the World Series with a payroll of about $143 million, far enough below the major league average to belie the myth that small-market teams cannot compete.

It may not have been a one-off.

A forward-thinking front office, quality amateur scouting and a productive player development staff have given the Diamondbacks a solid base as they enter the free agent marketplace. They are in very good spot financially.

The Diamondbacks are carrying about $54 million in 2024 salary obligations, and most of their young nucleus is under control via manageable contracts. On top of that, the extra revenue generated during the long playoff run could allow them to push the opening day payroll higher than the 2023 figure, managing partner Ken Kendrick said.

Arizona’s postseason run through Milwaukee, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia gave general manager Mike Hazen, manager Torey Lovullo and the organization reason to believe.

That the Diamondbacks won only 84 games and did not qualify for the playoffs until the penultimate day of the regular season indicated that more needs to be done. They understand the terrain.

“This run of 30 days or so highlighted some of our best baseball,” Hazen said at his season-ending media briefing. “I think the 84 wins during the regular season highlighted some of the areas where I feel that we need to make improvements, to be even better next year.

“We know we have a lot of work to do. We know there are areas of our team that we want to try to improve.”

Hazen’s stated needs are an established starting pitcher to join Nos. 1-2 right-handers Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly and postseason surprise right-hander Brandon Pfaadt; a third baseman; and a right-handed bat, possibly at a third.

“Starting pitching is certainly going to be an area we need to address,’’ Hazen said. “We had a lot of depth going into the season. It is probably the deepest we have ever been at that spot, and we went through it all. Plus. I think that’s just the nature of the beast, and something we will have to continue to reinforce. We are going to have to improve that area.”

Rookies starters Drey Jameson and Tommy Henry were unavailable for the playoffs because of injuries, Ryne Nelson had been moved to the bullpen by then, and free agent Zach Davies was released in September. Jameson will miss 2024 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in September.

Hazen beat himself up for not adding for another starting pitcher at the trade deadline, saying the Diamondbacks’ 11-7 Game 4 loss to Texas was on him because Lovullo was forced into a bullpen game. Closer Paul Sewald, outfielder Tommy Pham and third baseman Jace Peterson were acquired at the deadline, but trade partners were asking for Pfaadt and center fielder Alex Thomas for a starter, a bridge too far.

The Diamondbacks have not been afraid to attack the free agent market in the past, although mostly at the mid-range level for players such as Davies or reliever Mark Melancon.

They did make a major move before the 2020 season, signing veteran left-hander Madison Bumgarner to a five-year, $85 million contract, a deal that did not work out. The Diamondbacks released Bumgarner after four starts last season and 15 wins in the previous three. They still owe him $14 million for the final year of his deal, but about $15 million of his previous salary was deferred, giving them some wiggle room.

Arizona also saved $3 million on Sunday by declining the mutual option on Mark Melancon, who received a $2 million buyout after missing the 2023 season with a right shoulder injury.

Much of the Diamondbacks’ offseason money will be committed to the arbitration eligible players that helped drive them to their first World Series appearance since 2001 — Gallen, Sewald, first baseman Christian Walker and bullpen pieces including Ryan Thompson, Kevin Ginkel and Joe Mantiply. That group that could eat up about $35 million, a figure based on previous industry-wide arbitration awards that consider service time and production.

Gallen had two years of arbitration eligibility remaining and Walker and Sewald have one. Gallen and Walker are likely reach deals worth eight figures if their cases go to arbitration.

Either way, that leaves room the Diamondbacks room for market manipulation, and there is plenty of value in starting pitchers and third basemen.

Proven free agent starters include Kyle Gibson, Lucas Giolito, Sonny Gray, Kyle Hendricks, Seth Lugo, Lance Lynn, Kenta Maeda, Wade Miley, Jordan Montgomery, Aaron Nola, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Blake Snell, Marcus Stroman and Alex Wood. Miller, Montgomery, Ryu, Snell and Wood are left-handed.

Third basemen in the market include Brian Anderson, Matt Chapman, Eduardo Escobar, Max Muncy, Justin Turner and Gil Urshela. Chapman has won four Gold Gloves.