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As the July 31 MLB trade deadline approaches, questions abound regarding whether the Arizona Diamondbacks will buy, sell, or take a more nuanced tack by attempting to do both at the same time. Of course it all depends on where the team goes from here in the standings. On Thursday we took stock of the team's current situation in the standings, on the field, and in the trainer's room.
Related Content: Taking Stock of Diamondbacks at the Halfway Point in the Season
One area that needs to be revisited is the team's current and future payroll situation. There are numerous moving parts that could influence certain decisions. As we dive into all the possibilities in the coming days, it will be useful to have an understanding of where the team stands with regard to payroll.
For example, questions abound regarding the qualifying offer, and whether the D-backs should make one to Zac Gallen, or perhaps a number of other players. That number was $21.05 million for 2025, and could go up to $22 million for 2026.
What about contract extensions for players such as Josh Naylor, Eugenio Suarez, or Merrill Kelly? If unable or unwilling to extend in-season, could any of these players be brought back after the season is over on free agent deals?
Arizona Diamondbacks Current and Future Payroll Commit
The 2025 opening day payroll was estimated to be approximately $187 million by Cots Baseball Contracts. Roster Resources at FanGraphs estimates the current 2025 payroll to be $196 million. That's a wide range of course, but it's notable that whichever number is closer to reality, it blew by 2024's franchise-record $173 million.
Looking ahead to 2026, the D-backs have a large number of free agents coming off the books. That number adds up to be approximately $75 million. That number is offset however by escalating dollars for players on guaranteed contracts and arbitration-eligible players. By the time we take out the free agents, but add back in the escalating dollars, we are left with a payroll budget number that is already up to $143 million.
Note: See tables below for detailed breakdowns of the four categories above.
Replacing Free Agents and Injured Players
The list of free agents and injured players that need to be replaced is very long, but based on the numbers above, the team has approximately $50 million to spend before they reach 2025's already-record spending levels.
Corbin Burnes will be out for virtually all of 2026 due to Tommy John surgery. Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk are likely out until at least the All-Star break next year.
In addition there are no fewer than eight free agents on the current active roster and two more on the injured list. Of those, Eugenio Suarez, Merrill Kelly, Josh Naylor, Zac Gallen are players of importance in terms of their role on the team and the playing time they receive.
Some of these player may possibly be replaced by internal, low-cost players. But the combination of injuries to key prospects at the minor league level, and lack of high-end pitcher development could leave the team in a tight spot to replace so many players.
SUMMARY
With $50 million to spend next year, give or take, that might limit the risks the team is willing to take now. For example if a player such as Gallen or Kelly is given a qualifying offer and accepts it, the team would be on the hook for $22 million and then only have $38 million left to address up to 10 more roster vacancies, most of them by impact starting players.
We don't know how much owner Ken Kendrick may allow Mike Hazen to increase payroll, either at the trade deadline, or heading into 2026. While Kendrick certainly has a good idea of what he can provide to Hazen for budget in the coming month, 2026 may depend on whether or not the team stays in the race and gets back to the Postseason.
Year over year attendance through 38 home games is up almost 3,000 per game, growing from 28,626 in 2024 to 31,420 so far in 2025. The team is loath to sell at the deadline, not only because of their competitive nature, but also because of the negative impacts that would have on attendance and revenue going forward.
On the other hand, should the team pull off a near-miracle and overcome all their injuries and setbacks this year to make the Postseason, the good will and excitement that would create might serve to push the team's attendance and finances to even greater heights.
Another factor to consider is that the team just won a long-fought battle to get public funding for the Chase Field. That may free Kendrick to increase the payroll even further, or at the very least maintain these levels.
NOTE: The state funds do not go into the team's coffers, but stability in the stadium situation can only help to deepen the resolve of ownership to bring home a winner.
Related Content: Chase Field Funding Bill HB2704 Passes Vote, Governor Hobbs to Sign
Hopefully this article has helped to serve provide a clearer foundation for the payroll parameters Mike Hazen is working under when making decisions. Stay tuned to Arizona Diamondbacks On SI as we continue to analyze and track the trade deadline happenings and possibilities.
Arizona Diamondbacks On SI
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- Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani ties franchise record with HR vs. Twins
- Historic loss to Rockies a big moment in Cardinals' trade deadline decisions
- The 'MLB All-Star Game MVPs' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
New Third Base Trade Options For Yankees Emerge
The Rolling Stones knew what they were talking about while belting out "You Can't Always Get What You Want." It's very possible New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman will find himself humming that tune ahead of the July 31 MLB trade deadline. The Yankees, like several contenders, are shopping for a power-hitting third baseman. Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star slugger Eugenio Suarez sits atop everyone's list. Running a distant second and third are Colorado Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon and Pittsburgh Pirates Gold Glover Ke'Bryan Hayes. After that, it could be slim pickings. Should Cashman find himself scrambling to make a deal, here are a couple of new names entering the conversation. "Amed Rosario would be a good fit for Yankees," the New York Post's Jon Heyman reported Monday. "Played a lot of 3B this year. .802 lifetime OPS vs. lefties (.845 this year). Suarez is top target but many would qualify as upgrades." Rosario is hitting .271 with five home runs and 18 RBIs this season for the Washington Nationals. But the nine-year veteran has big-market experience, making his MLB debut with the New York Mets in 2017. The 29-year-old is making $2 million this season and will be a free agent after the World Series, according to Spotrac. But wait, there's more. "Other possible third-base trade targets include Royals All-Star Maikel Garcia — in theory, Kansas City would have interest in one of the Yankees’ outfielders to play left field for them," The Athletic's Jim Bowden reported Monday. Garcia, who made the American League roster for the 2025 MLB All-Star Game, is hitting .291 this season with eight home runs and 41 RBIs. The 25-year-old is in his fourth big-league season and is making almost $775,000 this season, according to Spotrac. Garcia still has four years of arbitration eligibility remaining, so he won't come cheap. Make sure to bookmark Yankees On SI to get all your daily New York Yankees news, interviews, breakdowns and more! MLB Trade Rumors: Yankees Linked To Red-Hot Reliever Yankees Linked to Former Outfielder in Juicy Trade Rumor Yankees Could Land Infielder With World Series MVP Comparison Will Yankees Use Red-Hot Prospect As Trade Bait? Yankees One-Stop Shopping Pirates?
Golden State Warriors Predicted to Land $70 Million Sharpshooter in Jonathan Kuminga Trade
The Golden State Warriors have had an underwhelming offseason thus far and the main headline surrounding the franchise remains the future of young forward Jonathan Kuminga. Kuminga remains a restricted free agent and after falling out of Steve Kerr’s rotation last season, his role entering next season is up in the air. Due to this, many believe that Kuminga’s time in Golden State is set to come to an end this offseason but the young forward is still deciding on what his next move will be, which will also be reliant on the Warriors due to them likely having to move him in a sign-and-trade deal. With Kuminga’s time in Golden State likely nearing an end, Sports Illustrated’s Jackson Caudell and Rohan Raman recently came up with a three-team mock trade that would send Kuminga to the Phoenix Suns. In the trade, the Suns would receive Kuminga and Moses from the Warriors and they would send Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neal and an unprotected 2032 first-round pick to Golden State. The Atlanta Hawks are the third team in this mock trade and they would acquire Nick Richards from Phoenix. This would be an interesting move for the Warriors as they would not only be moving on from a young player in Kuminga, but Moses Moody as well. Despite this, adding a sharpshooting guard in Grayson Allen, who also excels on the defensive end, could be a massive boost that the Warriors need. O’Neal would also give the Warriors a solid scorer and defender at the forward position that would allow them to upgrade their bench. By making this move, the Warriors would get older as they would swap two young players for two veterans but the additions of Allen and O’Neal, along with potential free agent signings, could help them compete for a title next season with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler leading the way.
Chicago Blackhawks reportedly set to trade 25-year-old goaltender to Stars rival, Edmonton Oilers
The Chicago Blackhawks, a crowded goaltending situation and trade rumors involving the Edmonton Oilers have fans wondering if the Stars' rivals could soon upgrade their crease before training camp. With training camp approaching, Chicago general manager Kyle Davidson has five goalies under contract, including Spencer Knight, Arvid Soderblom, Drew Commesso, newly signed Stanislav Berezhnoy, and veteran Laurent Brossoit. Only two NHL roster spots are available, which has fueled speculation that Brossoit could be moved to a contender, with Edmonton emerging as a leading candidate. For Stars fans, seeing the Oilers potentially bolster their crease should raise eyebrows. Edmonton, fresh off a deep playoff run, is looking to avoid the same issues that hurt them late in the postseason. "The Blackhawks have too many goalies and not enough spots, and Brossoit's contract and experience make him a natural trade chip for a team like the Oilers."-Julien Trekker Chicago's goalie logjam and Berezhnoy's recent signing are detailed further at NHL.com. Dallas could see its rival upgrade as Blackhawks explore trading Laurent Brossoit Brossoit, 32, carries a $3.3 million cap hit for one more season. Drafted by Calgary in 2011, he's appeared in 140 NHL games, including time with Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Vegas, where he helped the Golden Knights win the Stanley Cup in 2023. While Chicago decides, Drew Commesso continues to push for NHL time after posting a .911 save percentage over 39 AHL games. For a deeper look at Commesso's performance, his full profile is on Elite Prospects. I think if Edmonton lands Brossoit or even Commesso, Dallas may have to plan around a deeper Oilers team come playoff time, especially given how tight the Western race looks on paper.
NHL Insiders Link Oilers in Possible Blockbuster Trade for Two Penguins 30-Goal Scorers
NHL insider David Pagnotta revealed the Oilers are searching for a top-six scorer, which led NHL analyst Levi Pike to suggest Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust. NHL insider David Pagnotta recently sat down with the 'Hello Hockey' podcast and explained that the Edmonton Oilers are specifically looking for a top-six forward. It's a reasonable goal, but one many competitors have as well. With little cap space and a lot of competition, the marketplace is going to favor those teams that are willing to spend or trade high-end prospects. NHL analyst Levi Pike named the Pittsburgh Penguins as one potential trade partner. Forwards Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust are intriguing options, both capable of scoring 30 goals with team-friendly cap hits of roughly $5 million over the next three years. 'The rumour man, David Pagnotta, dropped in to have a chat on the Podcast of Hello Hockey. He suggested the Oilers are searching for a top-six scorer. Let's explore a potential target. The reason that the Pittsburgh Penguins have been targeted is that they possess two desirable forwards. Both Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell could put up 30 goals, and they do so economically. Both have very similar contracts remaining, around $5 million per year, for the next three years.' - Levi Pike That cost-effectiveness gives the Penguins' GM, Kyle Dubas, the leverage to demand a large return. And with Sidney Crosby not leaving, the Penguins are not in any particular rush to trade either player. For the Oilers, staying with the NHL's elite can be done through an injection into the forward group. Though Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins have delivered, behind them, there is a precipitous drop-off in scoring depth. The Oilers need more than just Andrew Mangiapane in the event of injuries Andrew Mangiapane's joining does help, though much more is needed, especially with injuries always being the playoff kiss of death. Cap room is Edmonton's biggest challenge, where they have only $225,000 of space. Any actual improvement will likely have to be a dollar-in, dollar-out deal. Perhaps a player like Nicholas Robertson, who is headed for arbitration in Toronto, can be had. But barring something unexpected occurring, the Oilers may have to wait and hope for a miracle.
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