Hazen: Diamondbacks ‘going to try to add as much pitching as we can’

The Arizona Diamondbacks made their first big move to address pitching needs with the reported signing of Michael Soroka on Monday, and they cannot stop there.

General manager Mike Hazen told MLB Network on Day 1 of the winter meetings Monday, “We’re gonna try to add as much pitching externally as we can.”

That involves both the starting rotation and the bullpen, as the Diamondbacks are still a starter short and can use a back-end reliever. Hazen is expecting Corbin Burnes to return in the middle of the year, while starter Merrill Kelly and closer Pete Fairbanks are among free agents who have been linked to Arizona this winter.

Last year, Arizona went into spring training with more starters than it knew what to do with, but that depth dissipated with injuries. Teams can never have enough pitching.

Soroka is coming off a season in which he threw 89 innings, his most since 2019, with a 4.52 ERA between the Washington Nationals and Chicago Cubs. Injuries have prevented him from racking up innings since his breakout 2019 season, and it is a gamble to add someone with his health history. At the same time, a one-year deal worth $7.5 million is relatively low risk financially and could end up looking shrewd if Soroka builds on his 2025 campaign.

He just cannot be the big pickup for the pitching staff.

Arizona’s payroll is up to a projected $152 million, according to Roster Resource. It was at $188 million last year, a team record, and the expectation is that it will decrease.

Hazen: Diamondbacks need to hold on, waiting for reinforcements

The goal will be to remain competitive until Burnes and others starting the year on the injured list get back, Hazen said.

“We’re gonna get (A.J.) Puk, (Justin) Martinez, Burnes, (Lourdes Gurriel Jr.) back at various points during the season if we can keep this thing going,” Hazen explained. “We have a tough schedule to start. We want to build the team so that we get through that, weather that. I think this team has a chance to get stronger and stronger as the season goes on.”

The Diamondbacks in 2024 went through the injury gauntlet, held on for dear life in the first half and rallied in the second half en route to 89 wins — and what should have been a postseason appearance.

Now, the Diamondbacks can address their injury-caused holes during the winter.

To Hazen’s point, the Diamondbacks face the Los Angeles Dodgers, Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago Cubs within the first six weeks of the 2026 season. All of those teams made the postseason last year.

The Diamondbacks competed with a diminished roster after the trade deadline, and Hazen made it clear that rebuilding or taking a year to retool is not of interest.

“I think we have a good baseball team,” Hazen said. “I think on paper from where we were at the start of last year, I think we’re probably a little lower from where we were with all the things we did last offseason. … I still think we need to put some pieces back onto this team and we’re gonna get the car going again and be ready to go compete.”

"It's a mountain we have to climb, it's a goal for us that we set… I like being in this division."@Dbacks GM Mike Hazen discusses the competition level in the NL West and what he's looking to add to the team at the Winter Meetings.

MLB Network + @SageUSAmerica pic.twitter.com/xQ2b3AvSqw

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) December 8, 2025

Teams always ask about Ketel Marte

Leading into the winter meetings, more and more reports surrounding Ketel Marte have swirled. The Red Sox, Mariners, Pirates, Blue Jays, Phillies and Tigers are just some of the clubs that have been reportedly interested in adding an All-Star second baseman.

The homepage of the Seattle Times read Monday: “Could Mariners swing ‘big’ trade for former star second baseman?”

A report from MLB Network’s Jon Morosi on Monday said the D-backs were willing to engage in talks, but the asking price remained high.

The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported that the Diamondbacks are looking for a “superstar-type return.” He compared a potential timeline to that of the Daulton Varsho-Gabriel Moreno deal in December 2022, which was discussed at the winter meetings but not finalized until Dec. 22.

“(Marte is) a superstar player. He’s on a good deal relative to the industry. I think that makes him very attractive to a lot of teams that think that they can just go get this guy,” Hazen said on MLB Network Radio. “When I don’t just shut down talks on day one with any of these guys, I think maybe that becomes the narrative. … There’s reports out there of teams we’ve talked to that we have not even talked to.

“I’m not trying to hide the ball or play games. I just say he has always been our most asked about player every single offseason.”

MLB teams won't stop calling the #Dbacks about Ketel Marte

Mike Hazen on if Arizona is actually listening:

📻 Power Alley live from the #WinterMeetings with @Mike_Ferrin @JimDuquetteGM and @JimBowdenGM
🔗 https://t.co/fGPbvbj8w4 pic.twitter.com/L1AHqOyI2E

— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) December 8, 2025

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