This offseason has seen considerable trade speculation around the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Jordan Montgomery and the Chicago Cubs’ Cody Bellinger. Both players carry significant salaries and appear to be somewhat imperfect fits on their current rosters. These factors have seemingly led to a rather muted trade market for either player. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Arizona attempted to engage the Cubs in a swap involving Montgomery and Bellinger. Whether this proposal was a straightforward one-for-one deal or involved additional players remains unclear, as the Cubs reportedly did not show much interest.


Cody Bellinger opted not to exercise his opt-out clause after a middling 2024 season, keeping him with the Cubs through the 2026 season with $52.5 million in remaining salary. This includes $27.5 million for 2025, followed by an option for Bellinger to opt-out in 2026 with a $2.5 million buyout or remain for $25 million.


Similarly, Jordan Montgomery chose to stay in the final year of his two-year contract with the Diamondbacks, securing $22.5 million for the 2025 season. Despite a challenging 2024 season marked by a 6.23 ERA over 117 innings, Montgomery stayed, likely influenced by missing Spring Training and an extended free agency period.

In an October radio interview, D’Backs owner Ken Kendrick was openly critical of Montgomery’s signing, perhaps in an attempt to encourage Montgomery to opt out and seek opportunities elsewhere. However, this strategy did not succeed, and the Diamondbacks are reportedly "shopping [Montgomery] everywhere" to offload his salary, according to Nightengale.


As the offseason continues, it remains to be seen whether either player will find a new home or if their respective teams will find a way to maximize their value.

As the offseason progresses and free agent starters like Blake Snell, Yusei Kikuchi, Frankie Montas, Matthew Boyd, and Kyle Hendricks find new teams, interest in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ pitching rotation has surged. General Manager Mike Hazen told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic that the market for their arms has "started to pick up." The Diamondbacks currently have six starters on their roster: Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguez, Brandon Pfaadt, Ryne Nelson, and Jordan Montgomery.

Of these pitchers, Jordan Montgomery stands out as the most likely trade candidate. Following a challenging 2024 season, Montgomery faced public criticism from owner Ken Kendrick. In October, Kendrick openly regretted signing Montgomery late in the 2023-24 offseason, calling it a "horrible decision" and the "biggest mistake this season from a talent standpoint." Despite the criticism, Montgomery opted into his $22.5 million player option, an understandable decision given his injury-shortened season and career-worst statistics in ERA (6.23), strikeout rate (15.6%), and walk rate (8.3%).

While much attention has been on Montgomery's struggles, Eduardo Rodriguez also underperformed after signing a four-year, $80 million contract with Arizona last offseason. Limited to just 10 starts due to a shoulder strain, Rodriguez pitched 50 innings with a 5.04 ERA and showed diminished velocity on his fastball. Rodriguez is owed $20 million in the upcoming season, $21 million in 2026, and $19 million in 2027, along with a $6 million buyout on a $17 million mutual option for 2028. Given the financial commitment and his recent performance, trading Rodriguez could be even more challenging than moving Montgomery.

​The Diamondbacks’ need to improve their pitching depth and performance remains evident. As the offseason continues, how Arizona manages its roster and navigates trade discussions will be critical for their future competitiveness.

Free agent outfielder Joc Pederson is garnering interest from the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Rosenthal also mentions the Tampa Bay Rays and Texas Rangers as potential landing spots, though those seem more speculative at this point.

Pederson, who turns 33 in April, is known for his prowess against right-handed pitching, despite his limitations in defense and base running. He struggled against left-handed pitchers but excelled as a designated hitter and pinch hitter, showcasing his powerful left-handed bat.

Last winter, the Diamondbacks signed Pederson to a one-year deal with a $12.5 million guarantee. He played in 132 games for Arizona but did not take the field due to his defensive liabilities. Of his 449 plate appearances, only 42 were against southpaws, yet he managed a respectable .219/.405/.344 line and a 124 wRC+ in those situations. Throughout his career, Pederson has struggled without the platoon advantage, posting a .210/.300/.330 line and a 76 wRC+ against left-handers.

Against right-handers this past season, Pederson maintained a more manageable 21.4% strikeout rate and an 11.8% walk rate, above the league average. He hit 22 home runs and produced a slash line of .281/.392/.531 with a 154 wRC+.

Overall, Pederson finished the season with a .275/.393/.515 line and a 151 wRC+. This marks the second time in three years that he has delivered strong offensive production, having hit .274/.353/.521 with a 144 wRC+ for the San Francisco Giants in 2022. Despite a dip in his batting line to .235/.348/.416 in 2023, Pederson rebounded in 2024, thanks in part to a higher batting average on balls in play (BABIP).

Over the past three years, Pederson has maintained a 135 wRC+ across his plate appearances, ranking among the top 15 in the majors. His offensive contributions outweigh his defensive shortcomings, making him a valuable asset at the plate. MLBTR predicts him to secure a two-year, $24 million contract as one of the top 50 free agents.

​The Diamondbacks' interest in re-signing Pederson is understandable, given the impact he had on their offense. General Manager Mike Hazen has indicated that the team's 2025 payroll is expected to be similar to 2024, with current projections at $149 million. Re-signing Pederson would consume a significant portion of their available budget, but trading some of Jordan Montgomery's salary could provide additional flexibility for further offseason moves.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are set to reintroduce Wellington Cepeda to their coaching staff. According to Isaac Azout of Fish on First, Cepeda will take on the roles of bullpen coach and assistant pitching coach for the team.

Cepeda's Homecoming
This move marks a homecoming for Cepeda, who has deep roots within the Diamondbacks' organization. As a player, Cepeda pitched in the Diamondbacks' minor league system from 1997 to 2000, though he never advanced beyond the High-A level. After retiring from playing, he transitioned into coaching, spending many years working with various minor league teams within the Diamondbacks' system.

Big League Opportunity with the Marlins
Cepeda's first major league coaching opportunity came with the Miami Marlins in 2020. He served as their bullpen coach for the past five years. However, the Marlins recently underwent a significant overhaul, parting ways with their entire coaching staff, as well as several other team personnel.

Diamondbacks' Coaching Changes
The Diamondbacks have also been making adjustments to their coaching staff, albeit not as extensive as the Marlins'. Last month, the team parted ways with pitching coach Brent Strom, bullpen coach Mike Fetters, and assistant pitching coach Dan Carlson. Brian Kaplan has since been hired to replace Strom as pitching coach, and now Cepeda will join Kaplan's staff in his new role.

​Cepeda's return to the Diamondbacks brings valuable experience and familiarity with the organization, which will be instrumental as the team looks to improve its pitching staff in the upcoming seasons.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have bolstered their 40-man roster by adding infielder Tim Tawa and right-hander Joe Elbis, protecting them from the upcoming Rule 5 Draft. As a result, the Diamondbacks' roster now stands at 37 players.

Tim Tawa, a 25-year-old versatile utility player, was drafted in the 11th round of the 2021 draft from Stanford. Primarily a second baseman, Tawa is also capable of playing corner infield and various outfield positions. In the 2024 season, he split his time between Double-A Amarillo and Triple-A Reno. He hit 31 home runs and posted a batting line of .279/.349/.519 over 613 plate appearances. Although his power numbers were likely boosted by hitter-friendly parks, Tawa's versatility and consistent performance make him a valuable potential bench player for the Diamondbacks.

Joe Elbis, 22, is a starting pitcher from Venezuela who reached Double-A this season. Over 135 1/3 innings between High-A and Double-A, Elbis recorded a 3.39 ERA. While his 20% strikeout rate is not overpowering, he maintained solid control with an 8.3% walk rate. Elbis will begin the 2025 season as a key part of the Diamondbacks' minor league rotation depth.

​By adding Tawa and Elbis, the Diamondbacks ensure that these promising players are protected from the Rule 5 Draft, reflecting the team's strategy to safeguard their emerging talent while preparing for future success. Fans can look forward to seeing how these players develop and contribute to the team's performance in the coming seasons.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have signed catcher Aramis Garcia and shortstop Connor Kaiser to minor league contracts, offering both players an invitation to the big league camp. The announcement was made by Arizona’s Triple-A affiliate in Reno.

Garcia, who will turn 32 in January, brings more major league experience to the table. The right-handed catcher has played parts of five MLB seasons, appearing in 119 games across four teams. This includes his recent stint with the Philadelphia Phillies, where he played three games and had seven hitless at-bats. Despite his extensive experience, Garcia has struggled offensively, maintaining a career batting average of .211/.248/.325 and a high strikeout rate of 35.8% over 327 plate appearances. His minor league performance this past season was similarly lackluster, hitting .159/.216/.279 with a nearly 36% strikeout rate in 76 Triple-A games.

Given the constant demand for catching depth, the Diamondbacks plan to have Garcia start the season with the Reno Aces. Statcast metrics have not been favorable regarding his blocking abilities, but they do highlight his strong arm. Notably, Garcia excelled at controlling the run game in Triple-A, throwing out over 32% of attempted basestealers across 584 innings behind the plate.

Connor Kaiser, soon to be 28, is known for his defensive prowess. The former third-round pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates made his MLB debut with the Colorado Rockies in 2023, appearing in three games. Kaiser was subsequently outrighted off the Rockies' 40-man roster midway through the season. He spent the remainder of the year with Colorado’s top farm team in Albuquerque. Despite the hitter-friendly environment, Kaiser posted a .221/.343/.339 line over 347 plate appearances. While he demonstrated patience at the plate with his walk rate, his strikeout rate was notably high at nearly 32%.

Kaiser is expected to begin the 2025 season in Reno, likely serving in a utility role. His defensive skills and versatility could prove valuable to the Diamondbacks as they assess their infield options.

​The addition of Garcia and Kaiser reflects the Diamondbacks' strategy to enhance their depth and flexibility heading into the next season. Both players will have the opportunity to prove themselves in the big league camp and potentially earn a spot on the major league roster. As spring training approaches, their performances will be closely watched by the organization.

The Diamondbacks announced the signing of 2 veteran outfielders - Albert Almora Jr and Kyle Garlick - to Minor League Contracts with an invite to Spring Training Camp.

Apart from Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Randal Grichuk, the D-backs roster boasts several left-handed hitting outfielders. Both players being discussed are right-handed hitters.