The D-Backs were sold at the Handelsdeadline of 2025, in particular shipping Josh Naylor And Eugenio Suarez to Seattle in individual deals and trade Merrill Kelly To the Rangers. Despite the fact that the white flag was effectively waved with that series of movements in the season ’25, Arizona gathered in the last two months and was in the mix for a postseason spot until the last weekend of the season. Owner Ken Kendrick talked to John Gambadoro and Dave Burns of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM about the hot finish of his team, the decision to keep manager Torey Lovullo for a tenth season, and the prospects of his club for next year (Youtube link to the full interview of 16 minutes). The most striking thing is that Kendrick admitted that the payroll will probably decrease, but that does not mean that the diamondbacks come in a rebuilding or go out of win now mode.
“We will not spend on the same level,” said Kendrick when he was asked about the payroll. “… We not only pay the 26 boys on the active schedule. We have a 40-man selection. The amount that we have issued this year to our 40-man schedule is $ 220 mm. … Shall we spend 220 next year? I don’t think we will do that. Will we have a very important payroll that enables us to compete and in the Playoffs? I think.”
The 2025 season, fed by last year’s surprise of last year Corbin BurnesPushed the diamondbacks into a payroll of franchise record. The deep postseason run in 2023 probably left the team with some extra spending capital, and that will not be the case this year, but Kendrick repeatedly thanked Fans for their dedication to the team and the way they turned out. He pointed to this year’s 2.4 million tickets sold since 2008 and gave the club the opportunity to be more competitive in the following seasons than when the fan base had checked out after the deadline.
“Although we did not have a playoff -we had important income from our fans who attended games,” Kendrick continued. “And what I have said, and I will continue to say it, the money that there is from the income we are taking, we are going to reinvest in the team. We are in a good position to have a very, very credible obligation, financially, until next season. Will the song not be the same now.”
With a return to the late season, the declared goal, the snakes have no shortage of work. Burnes will miss the most or the entire season of 2026 because of the operation of Tommy John. Forgery AJ Puk And Justin Martinez are in similar boats. Zac Gallen is a free agent. Kelly was traded in the middle season and would have been a free agent anyway. The pitching staff needs considerable help to re-assemble a play-off-caliber selection.
At the moment, the only starters who can be safely affected in next year’s staff are Eduardo Rodriguez” Brandon Pfaadt And Ryne Nelson. Both Rodriguez and Pfaadt placed eras to the north of 5.00 while they fought against home running problems all year round, although the veteran Rodriguez ended at least with a respectable 4.09 ERA after the trade deadline. Nelson was great all year round and ended the 2025 campaign with a 3.39 ERA in a career-best 154 1/3 innings at the MLB level.
General Manager Mike Hazen mentioned the rotation, the bullpen and the solidification of the defense around the diamond as the top priorities this season (Link via Alex Weiner from 98.7). Pitching aid has priority, per hares, but the D-backs clearly intend to concentrate on Run prevention.
Could a reunion with Gallen be part of it? It’s possible. While the old Ace of Arizona struggled enormously during the first four months of the season, he finished brilliant and threw 65 innings with a vintage 3.32 ERA after the deadline (albeit with fewer strikeout figures than we are used to seeing him). Gallen has been open about his love for the organization and the roots that he and his family have placed in Arizona. Kendrick praised Gallen when he was asked about the future of the right -handed, and added that he would not say that it is “from the realm of reality” that the two parties could close a deal to bring Galen back next year.
Whether it is a reunion with Gallen, a reunion with Kelly or a new rotary piece on board through a free desk or trade, the D-backs will have to add at least one starter this season and probably two. Many of the best pitching prospects of the organization took steps back or perished with remarkable injuries in 2025. In addition to help with the main class, the depth must be strengthened. The bull pen is just as much puzzle – if not an even bigger dilemma. It will not be an easy way for hares and his staff.
When discussing the decision to retain Lovullo, Kendrick pointed to both the injuries he navigated-six D-Backs-throwers this year Tommy John-Operation and added that it was not Lovullo’s decision to trade important veterans such as Naylor, Suarez and Kelly on the Deadline. He noticed that decision, came from himself, from President/CEO Derrick Hall and from general manager Mike Hazen. It is, however wax Lovullo who kept the spirit of the team up and led the club over the piece.
“I don’t think one of our fans would have thought on the first August that we could be potentially on the edge to be in the play -offs in the last weekend of the season,” said Kendrick. ‘[Lovullo] Has managed all those games. “
Even with an expenditure reduction, the snakes can have room to maneuver out of season this season. Scheduling resource Their their 2025 payroll on $ 188 mm with a $ 212 mm competing balance tax calculation. Both are under the figure of $ 220 mm from Kendrick, although the Diamondbacks have moved a lot of money from their books on the deadline, so those figures would have been higher before the transactions.
In 2026, RR the payroll will be mentioned at just $ 107 mm with a CBT number of $ 142 mm. Those figures do not include the eligible players of the club, but there should be some dry powder there, depending on how much lower the payroll will go.
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