Pitching is what’s left on Diamondbacks offseason to-do list

We have just about made it through the winter to spring training, and Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen is content with the position player group after re-signing Randal Grichuk earlier this week.

That leaves pitching to address before the club takes the diamond at Chase Field on March 27, he explained.

“I think the offense, position player group is probably put together, barring trades happening,” Hazen said on Tuesday. “Things become available, or there’s ways to shift it around, but I kind of like the balance we have right now. … We’ll still stay focused on the pitching. We still have some work to do on the pitching, but we’ll see. It’s getting late, but we’ve done deals in the past in the next couple of weeks so hopefully there’s opportunities.

“I still think there’s enough in the market right now with teams with unfinished business and having to do stuff that could present some opportunities for us.”

Whether another move may come via trade or free agency is to be determined, he said.

The Diamondbacks have been open about wanting another back-end relief option this offseason and have yet to acquire one. The bullpen is largely intact from the 2024 roster besides former closer Paul Sewald, who signed with the Cleveland Guardians this winter.

Bryce Jarvis, Drey Jameson and Kyle Nelson each missed significant time last year on the injured list and may add depth to the group this year. Justin Martinez, A.J. Puk, Kevin Ginkel, Ryan Thompson and Joe Mantiply are all still around.

Perhaps the trickier question is what happens in the starting rotation, considering the D-backs had a surplus going into the offseason and signed four-time All-Star ace Corbin Burnes.

The Diamondbacks have received calls throughout the winter on their starters but have held onto the group, including veteran Jordan Montgomery after a down year.

Burnes, Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly will headline the rotation. Eduardo Rodriguez will look to rebound from an injury-plagued first year in the Valley. Brandon Pfaadt and Ryne Nelson are coming off promising seasons and then there’s Montgomery looking for a bounce back. A good problem to have still needs solving, but the club has time.

Opening Day is more than seven weeks away, and as Hazen pointed out, the Diamondbacks have made moves this late in the process before.

Montgomery feeling good

Speaking of Montgomery, Diamondbacks first-year pitching coach Brian Kaplan joined MLB Network on Sirius XM this week and presented an optimistic update on Montgomery this offseason. The veteran southpaw went through his worst MLB season in 2024 after waiting until spring training had ended before signing with the club. He opted into a $22.5 million player option for 2025 despite criticism from club managing partner Ken Kendrick.

Kaplan said Montgomery may have been burned by how his tenure in Arizona started after a disappointing free agency.

“I know that can sound like an excuse but some of the most important time of the year is that build-up in spring training into the early season,” Kaplan said. “I know a lot of that was disrupted by the negotiation process. And then he was just trying to fit into a new place.

“I think he’s comfortable in his skin right now. He’s had a really strong offseason. The communication I’ve had with him back and forth and some of the people he utilizes in the offseason to get him in the right spot has been really good. He feels good, some of the stuff I’ve gotten back from him is good.”

Brian Kaplan: "More than anything, it's just getting off to a strong start, which was tough (for Jordan Montgomery) with the circumstances last year."#DBacks | @Dbacks
🔗 https://t.co/fGPbvbj8w4 pic.twitter.com/IvvUtyb67q

— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) February 6, 2025

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo surprised Grichuk was available

Grichuk returned to the Diamondbacks on a one-year, $2 million contract with a mutual option and $3 million buyout for 2026, so essentially a $5 million deal.

The veteran outfielder thrived down the stretch last year while filling a role as a platoon bat against left-handed pitching. He finished with an .875 OPS and 12 homers.

Manager Torey Lovullo reacted to the re-addition while at the WM Phoenix Open Pro-Am this week.

“First of all, Randal had a tremendous year for us last year,” Lovullo told Arizona Sports‘ Tyler Drake. “I’m surprised that he didn’t sign a little quicker with another team, and the fact that he landed back on us is awesome for the D-backs. He had a great year, and I’m just thrilled to have him back in the fold. We’ve got a really good team. We’re not complete, we’ve got a lot of work to do.”

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo is surprised Randal Grichuk did not sign quicker or with another team.

"He had a great year, and I'm just thrilled to have him back in the fold." pic.twitter.com/nrAeJJtSj8

— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) February 5, 2025

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