2024-25 MLB Offseason Recap: Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks were knocked out of the playoff race during the final hour of the regular season in 2024, thanks to a win by the Braves on the last day plus one. It ended an 89-win season for Arizona, one that saw the D-Backs lead the Majors in runs scored but have trouble keeping teams from scoring runs. Well, the Diamondbacks will hope a former Cy Young winner can help them with run prevention in 2025.

Notable Additions

• SP Corbin Burnes (3.4 bWAR in 2024)
• RP Kendall Graveman (did not pitch in 2024)
• INF/OF Garrett Hampson (ML deal, 0.4 bWAR in 2024)
• 1B Trey Mancini (ML deal, did not play in 2024)
• 1B Josh Naylor (1.5 bWAR)

The Diamondbacks headed into the winter with one significant hole in their lineup: first base. Christian Walker headed to market after a strong run in Arizona, one that saw him blast 30+ home runs in 2022 & 2023, and play stellar defense, as well.

Arizona didn’t bring Walker back but did replace him with a different power bat. Josh Naylor, who was second among first basemen last year in home runs (31) and known for being an adept hitter, was acquired by the D-Backs in December. The Diamondbacks gave up a competitive balance pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, plus former top prospect Slade Cecconi.

Naylor may very well be a rental for the Diamondbacks. The 27-year-old is one year away from free agency and could benefit from a strong season around the likes of Corbin Carroll and Eugenio Suarez. However, Naylor’s not the only notable first baseman who could test the market after 2025.

However, the most notable splash the Diamondbacks made was in late December when the team added former NL Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes. Burnes signed a six-year deal that will see him paid $30.83MM annually, with an opt-out after the second season.

A bonafide ace, Burnes gives the Diamondbacks a second ace for 2025, alongside Zac Gallen, one who will be critical in a division that features two other powerhouses, the Dodgers and Padres. And with Gallen being a potential free agent after 2025, Burnes’ presence may be even more important in 2026 and beyond.

Arizona’s still comfortable below the luxury tax threshold; Spotrac projects the Diamondbacks to be roughly $36MM under. However, the D-Backs continue to spend, pushing their projected allocations to $185.9MM, above their 2024 figure of $172.8MM.

Notable Subtractions

• 1B Josh Bell (-0.6 bWAR, 0.3 bWAR with Arizona)
• SP/RP Slade Cecconi (-1.1 bWAR)
• OF/DH Joc Pederson (2.9 bWAR)
• RP Paul Sewald (0.2 bWAR)
• 1B Christian Walker (2.6 bWAR)

Arizona, overall, did a strong job avoiding significant losses this past winter. The team re-signed Randal Grichuk, who posted a .875 OPS last year in Arizona and has a great platoon option against left-handed pitchers.

The D-Backs also didn’t move Jordan Montgomery, who was criticized by team owner Ken Kendrick after the 2024 season. However, a move of that nature would have been tough. Montgomery is due $22.5MM this year, coming off what was a career-worst season.

Nonetheless, there were notable losses.

As mentioned previously, the Diamondbacks lost three-time Gold Glove winner Christian Walker in free agency.

Walker was quite the find for Arizona. The former fourth-round pick went from waiver pickup to seamless replacement for Paul Goldschmidt after the D-Backs traded him to St. Louis. Walker blasted 29 home runs in his first full season as a starter in 2019 and never looked back.

But after spending parts of eight seasons in Arizona, Walker now heads to Houston.

Speaking of Texas, Joc Pederson goes from Arizona to Arlington after a 23-home run campaign with the D-Backs in 2024. While Pederson has his deficiencies, the veteran slugger regularly torched right-handed pitching in 2024.

Paul Sewald, who lost the closer’s job in Arizona late last summer, signed with the Guardians this past winter.

What to Expect Heading into 2025

Armed with a strong lineup that includes several 30-home run hitters, a five-tool player in Carroll, and other notable young talent, the Diamondbacks have a win-now offense. Their pitching staff includes three strong right-handers, plus significant depth with the aforementioned Jordan Montgomery, Ryne Nelson, Brandon Pfaadt, and Eduardo Rodriguez.

The Diamondbacks are a proven commodity. Arizona can score runs; that much, the team proved in 2024. Run prevention will obviously be critical, both in their rotation and bullpen. While the D-Backs didn’t add a big-name reliever to pair with their existing group, Graveman could be a sleeper name given what he did in Houston & Seattle.

Additionally, the D-Backs ensured their future core is locked up for the immediate future. Aside from the Burnes pickup, Arizona also locked up Geraldo Perdomo to a four-year extension. Perdomo isn’t a power hitter but gets on base, possesses good speed, and covers ground defensively.

Arizona’s roster is well-constructed. The question the Diamondbacks have to answer is this: can the team win enough contests against Los Angeles and San Diego to complete for either the NL West, or at the very least, secure a Wild Card spot in a deep National League.