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  6. <title type="text">AZ Snake Pit</title>
  7. <subtitle type="text">Your best source for quality Arizona Diamondbacks news, rumors, analysis, stats and scores from the fan perspective.</subtitle>
  8.  
  9. <updated>2025-10-13T23:44:43+00:00</updated>
  10.  
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  14.  
  15. <entry>
  17. <author>
  18. <name>Jeff Irving</name>
  19. </author>
  21. <title type="html"><![CDATA[Offseason Plan Part 1: What is the Priority?]]></title>
  22. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/arizona-diamondbacks-rumors/85537/offseason-plan-part-1-what-is-the-priority" />
  23. <id>https://www.azsnakepit.com/?p=85537</id>
  24. <updated>2025-10-13T19:44:43-04:00</updated>
  25. <published>2025-10-13T19:44:43-04:00</published>
  26. <category scheme="https://www.azsnakepit.com" term="Arizona Diamondbacks Rumors" /><category scheme="https://www.azsnakepit.com" term="Diamondbacks Off-Season" /><category scheme="https://www.azsnakepit.com" term="Diamondbacks Opinion &amp; Analysis" />
  27. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[A lot has been published already about the Dbacks and what their offseason plans should entail. For me, I wanted to take some time and allow the season to resonate a bit, and to also allow for information to percolate in from the team. Here’s what we know so far from the Arizona Diamondbacks leadership [&#8230;]]]></summary>
  29. <content type="html">
  30. <![CDATA[
  31.  
  33. <figure>
  34.  
  35. <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.azsnakepit.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2025/10/imagn-21850205.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
  36. <figcaption>
  37. </figcaption>
  38. </figure>
  39. <p class="has-text-align-none">A lot has been published already about the Dbacks and what their offseason plans should entail. For me, I wanted to take some time and allow the season to resonate a bit, and to also allow for information to percolate in from the team. Here’s what we know so far from the Arizona Diamondbacks leadership headed into this offseason:</p>
  40.  
  41. <p class="has-text-align-none">1<strong>. The team is looking to lower their payroll.</strong> According to multiple reports, the team is expected to reduce their record payroll going into 2026. Exactly what that number is, we cant really have any idea at this point. The only real number we have heard from the team was from the owner Ken Kendrick who on a radio interview said the number would be less than 220 million dollars. Kendrick cited the number from Cotts which takes into consideration their entire 40 man roster and how it relates to the luxury tax threshold.</p>
  42.  
  43. <p class="has-text-align-none">When it comes to how much money is available, I really don’t think we as the fans have any real way of accurately determining that. If there is anything that should have been learned in the previous 2 off seasons, it is trying to predict Ken Kendrick is futile. Having said that, I also wouldn’t expect Hazen to play in the top of the free agency class given how many areas of need there are. But trying to determine whether the team has 30, 40, or 50 million to spend seems kind of silly. For the purposes of offseason planning, lets take Hazen at his word when he says he feels like he has the resources he needs to do what he needs to do.</p>
  44.  
  45. <p class="has-text-align-none">2. <strong>The team is going to upgrade the defense. </strong>Hazen has spoken about pitching and run prevention almost synonymously. I don’t think this is by accident. 1 way to make the pitching staff better is to improve the defense and I expect the lineup to look a little different going into opening day 2026. However, this team has an above average amount of versatility thanks to the likes of players like Blaze Alexander who has looked above average in the infield and the outfield. Because of the versatility, I think there are a number of different ways Hazen could go this offseason. He could add an infielder and move Blaze to the OF. Or he could add an outfielder and keep Blaze in the infield. Because of all of the options here, I am going to spend the rest of this article looking at the primary focus of the team, the pitching.</p>
  46.  
  47. <p class="has-text-align-none">3. <strong>Pitching is going to be the priority.</strong> Dbacks general manager Mike Hazen has made it clear heading into the offseason that his primary goal this offseason is pitching. “The starting rotation is going to be something we’re going to need to focus in on going into the offseason for sure,” Hazen said during the end of the season press conference the other week. “That’s probably the number one area outside of building the bullpen again that we are going to have to focus in on.” I don’t think Hazen is insinuating here that starting pitching is ahead of the bullpen even though that’s kind of how it reads. Rather I am taking this as those 2 things being the top priority.</p>
  48.  
  49. <p class="has-text-align-none"><strong>The Rotation or the Bullpen?</strong></p>
  50.  
  51. <p class="has-text-align-none">With the team presumably losing Zac Gallen to free agency, and trading away Merrill Kelly at the trade deadline, likely the most obvious gap as Hazen has already alluded to is in the starting rotation. Especially considering this team came into this season with a glutton of starting pitching only to just be having the likes of Anthony DeSclafani and Nabil Crismatt starting meaning full games at the end of the season. Point being, you can never have too much starting pitching.</p>
  52.  
  53. <p class="has-text-align-none">Even so, I believe it is actually the bullpen that needs to be addressed first. According to Jack Sommers over on the Snakes Territory Podcast and Diamondbacks on Si, the Dbacks had 45 blown leads in 2025. An astonishing number if you really think about it. Only 1 other team in MLB had more blown leads than the Dbacks.&nbsp; 8 of which occurred in the 9<sup>th</sup> inning. Those 8 9<sup>th</sup> inning blown leads was the most in MLB in 2025. If this team could cut that number in half, they would’ve been in the postseason.</p>
  54.  
  55. <p class="has-text-align-none">To address this, Mike Hazen needs to do what he has been reluctant to do throughout his tenure and acquire a proven closer. Hazen said as much during his end of the year conference, “I think setting up the bullpen from the 9<sup>th</sup> inning moving forward makes a lot of sense. I think it’s been where we’ve had success.”</p>
  56.  
  57. <p class="has-text-align-none"><strong>Bullpen Supply is Low</strong> <strong>Relatively</strong></p>
  58.  
  59. <p class="has-text-align-none">Unfortunately, there are less than 29 options possible assuming they are looking to add someone that actually had meaningful closing experience in 2025, which I think is a necessity. &nbsp;9 teams in 2025 including the Dbacks utilized a committee approach to the closer role either strategically or due to injury or underperformance. I thought this was a good place to start when evaluating supply as it is pretty hard to sell the idea that a reliever is a proven closer if they weren’t even a primary closing option in 2025. This would mean that there are only 20 or so pitchers the Dbacks could target either through free agency or through trade to address arguably their biggest need.</p>
  60.  
  61. <p class="has-text-align-none">Of that group, lets eliminate the guys that are unlikely to be options for the Dbacks either via free agency or trade due to cost. Edwin Diaz is going to sign for a boat load of money. Likely more than a reliever is worth. Aroldis Chapman was just signed to an extension with the Red Sox and is likely to receive Cy Young votes so we can exclude him as well. Andres Munoz is an essential part to a very competitive (potentially world champion) Seattle Mariners team so it doesn’t &nbsp;make much sense they would trade him. Tanner Scott had a down year, but is also signed to a massive contract that would be all but unaffordable even if you wanted him. Johan Duran also seems all but unavailable considering the Phillies just acquired him at the deadline, they are obviously looking to compete yet again in 2026, and he is under control through the 2027 season.</p>
  62.  
  63. <p class="has-text-align-none">That reduces the available proven closer market by 5 more putting the number of pitchers that realistically fit what the Dbacks need at 10-15. Especially if you exclude some of the other closers who struggled or don’t have much track record.</p>
  64.  
  65. <p class="has-text-align-none"><strong>The Verdict: Bullpen</strong></p>
  66.  
  67. <p class="has-text-align-none">In conclusion, due to the amount of blown leads and the scarcity of resources that exist, <strong>I believe Mike Hazen and Co should focus most of their time and resources this winter on the bullpen. </strong>I agree with Hazen 100% when he said that bullpens should be built from the 9<sup>th</sup> inning forward. Especially considering some of the interesting pieces that emerged this season due to the opportunities that arose. Names like Brandyn Garcia, Andrew Saalfrank, Andrew Hoffmann, and Juan Morillo showed some serious potential in spurts. However, in my opinion you should be going into 2026 expecting to realistically contend with those guys to anchor your bullpen. However, if you slide those guys into lower leverage situations because you beefed up the back end, now you may have something.</p>
  68.  
  69. <p class="has-text-align-none">My plan for this article was to simply take what information we had and look at where I would spend the bulk my time if I was Mike Hazen and where he should likely prioritize resources and work backwards from that. In my mind, only having 10-15 realistic options at such a critical area of need should relegate much attention and urgency to the bullpen. Then followed by the rotation and finally the lineup. Especially given all the different directions this team could go given all the position player versatility.</p>
  70.  
  71. <p class="has-text-align-none">Now that we have a better idea as to the focus dictated by the supply, I think it will be easier in subsequent articles to look at specific players and assign the value. Stay tuned for more. Do you guys agree on a bullpen focused offseason? Let me know what you all think.</p>
  72. ]]>
  73. </content>
  75. </entry>
  76. <entry>
  78. <author>
  79. <name>Jim McLennan</name>
  80. </author>
  82. <title type="html"><![CDATA[Postseason Game Discussion, #13]]></title>
  83. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/diamondbacks-gamedays/85531/postseason-game-discussion-13" />
  84. <id>https://www.azsnakepit.com/85531/postseason-game-discussion-12</id>
  85. <updated>2025-10-13T11:50:09-04:00</updated>
  86. <published>2025-10-13T17:00:00-04:00</published>
  87. <category scheme="https://www.azsnakepit.com" term="Diamondbacks Game Days" /><category scheme="https://www.azsnakepit.com" term="Gameday Threads" />
  88. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Full on into Championship Series action today, with both the American League and National League taking place. We do begin with the second game of the ALCS, where Seattle will look to solidify their early advantage over Toronto. But I think we will mostly be focused on the later game, where the Dodgers and Brewers [&#8230;]]]></summary>
  90. <content type="html">
  91. <![CDATA[
  92.  
  94. <figure>
  95.  
  96. <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.azsnakepit.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2025/10/gettyimages-617989962.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
  97. <figcaption>
  98. </figcaption>
  99. </figure>
  100. <p class="has-text-align-none">Full on into Championship Series action today, with both the American League and National League taking place. We do begin with the second game of the ALCS, where Seattle will look to solidify their early advantage over Toronto. But I think we will mostly be focused on the later game, where the Dodgers and Brewers start their series. LA sends up Blake Snell, who was very good in the regular season after recovering from injury, while Milwaukee looks to be opting for a bullpen game, after being pushed all the way by Chicago in their Division Series. Hopefully, they’ll be able to overcome that and jump out over the Evil Empire…</p>
  101.  
  102. <p class="has-text-align-none">Today&#8217;s game:</p>
  103.  
  104. <ul class="wp-block-list">
  105. <li>2:03 pm: Mariners @ Blue Jays [1-0], FOX/FS1</li>
  106.  
  107.  
  108.  
  109. <li>5:03 pm: Dodgers @ Brewers [0-0], TBS/truTV/HBO Max</li>
  110. </ul>
  111. ]]>
  112. </content>
  114. </entry>
  115. <entry>
  117. <author>
  118. <name>Jim McLennan</name>
  119. </author>
  121. <title type="html"><![CDATA[Snake Bytes, 10/13: First blood to Seattle]]></title>
  122. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/d-backs-daily/85520/snake-bytes-10-13-first-blood-to-seattle" />
  123. <id>https://www.azsnakepit.com/?p=85520</id>
  124. <updated>2025-10-13T01:52:41-04:00</updated>
  125. <published>2025-10-13T10:00:00-04:00</published>
  126. <category scheme="https://www.azsnakepit.com" term="Snake Bytes" />
  127. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Team news [SI] D-backs&#8217; Internal Rotation Depth Presents Major Concern &#8211; With Burnes unavailable at least until the All-Star break, and the departures of Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen, the D-backs are left with only three bonafide starters to fill out their rotation&#8230; It stands to reason that the team will fill the fourth rotation [&#8230;]]]></summary>
  129. <content type="html">
  130. <![CDATA[
  131.  
  133. <figure>
  134.  
  135. <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.azsnakepit.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2025/10/gettyimages-2240674701.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
  136. <figcaption>
  137. </figcaption>
  138. </figure>
  139. <h4 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Team news</h4>
  140.  
  141. <p class="has-text-align-none"><a href="https://www.si.com/mlb/diamondbacks/arizona-diamondbacks-analysis/diamondbacks-internal-rotation-depth-major-concern" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">[SI] D-backs&#8217; Internal Rotation Depth Presents Major Concern</a> &#8211; With Burnes unavailable at least until the All-Star break, and the departures of Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen, the D-backs are left with only three bonafide starters to fill out their rotation&#8230; It stands to reason that the team will fill the fourth rotation spot externally, but the fifth spot could possibly be filled by an internal option. Perhaps a standout spring training could land a pitcher with an unexpected rotation spot. In this article we take a look at who some of those options might be. The list is limited.</p>
  142.  
  143. <p class="has-text-align-none"><a href="https://www.dbacksunderreview.com/diamondbacks-trade-target-marlins-sandy-alcantara/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">[Dbacks Under Review] Should the D-backs Trade for Sandy Alcántara?</a> &#8211; Alcántara is entering the final year of his contract in 2026, earning $17.3 million. He has a club option valued at $21 million, with a $2 million buyout. A pitcher with similar upside will command a contract north of $30 million per season in free agency. So there&#8217;s the upside of two years of a top-of-the-rotation arm for $38.3 million, but at a significant trade cost. Unless Alcántara completely implodes, this is a good value deal for the D-backs. While the results were inconsistent, he still features premium velocity. His four-seamer averaged 97.6 MPH and his sinker 97.2 MPH in 2025. In the second half, they bumped up to 97.8 and 97.4.</p>
  144.  
  145. <p class="has-text-align-none"><a href="https://newbaseballmedia.com/2025-mlb-season-recap-arizona-diamondbacks/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">[New Baseball Media] 2025 MLB Season Recap: Arizona Diamondbacks</a> &#8211; Nelson was a Swiss Army Knife for the D-Backs this past season. He worked both as a reliever and starter but mostly in the latter. Nelson was pivotal for the Diamondbacks’ second-half push. He posted a 3.09 ERA, with 65 hits allowed and 67 strikeouts over 75.2 IP. So, what exactly worked well for Nelson? The four-seamer, as Nelson’s fastball earned an obscene +23 Run Value. Nelson’s four-seamer can run up to 97 MPH, hard but not top 1% hard. What aided that fastball, though, is plus extension, carry, and cut. It made for one of the best chase pitches in the game. Across the final two months of the season, no pitcher accrued more chases (27) off the four-seamer than Nelson.</p>
  146.  
  147. <p class="has-text-align-none">Today in <strong>really </strong>stupid trade suggestions&#8230;</p>
  148.  
  149. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  150. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Guardians trade idea: <br>Steven Kwan for Geraldo Perdomo<br><br>Perdomo is 25, essentially would cost the same as Kwan (a bit more but not out of the realm of possibility) and is a switch hitter with plus power. Coming off a 20/20 season with an OPS over .850<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GuardsBall?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GuardsBall</a> <a href="https://t.co/7szfl5RD6D">pic.twitter.com/7szfl5RD6D</a></p>&mdash; Alex Kaufman (@Chikaufski) <a href="https://twitter.com/Chikaufski/status/1975975667893518385?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2025</a></blockquote>
  151. </div></figure>
  152.  
  153. <h4 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">And, elsewhere&#8230;</h4>
  154.  
  155. <p class="has-text-align-none"><a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/mariners-win-alcs-game-1-2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">[MLB.com] Mariners take magic show on road for ALCS G1 win</a> &#8211; Bryce Miller delivered a gritty six-inning outing on short rest, extending the Mariners’ October surge while reigniting echoes of their 2022 Wild Card Series comeback in this same park &#8212; a message that Seattle’s hunt for its first World Series berth is gathering real momentum. “It feels great,” Miller said. “The year personally didn’t go how I had planned and how I had hoped for, but we’re in the ALCS. I got to go out there and set the tone. I couldn’t ask for anything more.” In postseason history, teams winning Game 1 in any best-of-seven series have gone on to take that series 126 of 194 times (64.9%). In series with the current 2-3-2 format, teams winning Game 1 on the road have gone on to take that series 40 of 71 times (56.3%).</p>
  156.  
  157. <p class="has-text-align-none"><a href="https://worldbaseball.com/murphy-embracing-brewers-underdog-status-before-nlcs-matchup-with-dodgers/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">[AP] Murphy embracing Brewers’ underdog status before NLCS matchup with Dodgers</a> &#8211; The Dodgers’ projected luxury tax bill of nearly $168 million exceeds Milwaukee’s entire payroll of $124.8 million. “The Dodgers are a powerhouse. What can you say?” Murphy said. BetMGM has established the Dodgers as minus-220 favorites, meaning it gives the Dodgers a 68.8% chance of winning the series. Someone would have to bet $220 on the Dodgers to win $100 if they take the series. “It doesn’t matter what people say,” Brewers second baseman Brice Turang explained. “It matters what we believe in here.” There’s one problem with the Brewers’ underdog narrative. Their regular-season meetings with the Dodgers.</p>
  158. <img src="https://platform.azsnakepit.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2025/10/sh6inxp3etuf1.jpeg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=4.2926239419589,0,91.414752116082,100" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" />
  159. <h4 class="wp-block-heading">The Thing from Another World (1951)</h4>
  160.  
  161. <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Rating: B</h4>
  162.  
  163. <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Dir: Christian Nyby<br>Star: Kenneth Tobey, Robert Cornthwaite, Margaret Sheridan, Douglas Spencer</h4>
  164. <img src="https://platform.azsnakepit.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2025/10/thing-from-another-world-2-e1734814369217.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=3.2487838776928,0,93.502432244614,100" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" />
  165. <p class="has-text-align-none">It’s always going to be difficult to write about this, because the eighties remake is, to me, superior. <em><a href="https://filmblitz.org/thing-1982/">The Thing</a></em> is the finest sci-fi/horror movie ever made, with John Carpenter at the top of his game, and Rob Bottin’s practical effects remain unmatched over forty years later. It’s a remake done right, bringing genuinely new aspects to the table. Yet while I was watching the original, I can see how the remake honours its spirit too.</p>
  166.  
  167. <h4 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none"><a href="https://filmblitz.org/thing-from-another-world-1951/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Read more</a></h4>
  168. ]]>
  169. </content>
  171. </entry>
  172. <entry>
  174. <author>
  175. <name>Jim McLennan</name>
  176. </author>
  178. <title type="html"><![CDATA[Postseason Game Discussion, #12]]></title>
  179. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/diamondbacks-gamedays/85508/postseason-game-discussion-12" />
  180. <id>https://www.azsnakepit.com/85508/postseason-game-discussion-11</id>
  181. <updated>2025-10-12T15:30:54-04:00</updated>
  182. <published>2025-10-12T20:00:00-04:00</published>
  183. <category scheme="https://www.azsnakepit.com" term="Diamondbacks Game Days" /><category scheme="https://www.azsnakepit.com" term="Gameday Threads" />
  184. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[The final four teams in the hunt to become the 2026 World Series Champions have been determined. Tomorrow, the Dodgers will face off against the Brewers, but we begin today in the American League, where the Blue Jays will take on the Mariners. To be honest, I feel like there is no wrong answer here. [&#8230;]]]></summary>
  186. <content type="html">
  187. <![CDATA[
  188.  
  190. <figure>
  191.  
  192. <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.azsnakepit.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2025/10/gettyimages-2178431935.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
  193. <figcaption>
  194. </figcaption>
  195. </figure>
  196. <p class="has-text-align-none">The final four teams in the hunt to become the 2026 World Series Champions have been determined. Tomorrow, the Dodgers will face off against the Brewers, but we begin today in the American League, where the Blue Jays will take on the Mariners. To be honest, I feel like there is no wrong answer here. Toronto have not made it to the World Series in considerably longer than I have been in Arizona (1993), although that’s still better than the Mariners, who have never won a pennant. I wonder when the last time was that a Championship Series took place between two teams with a pennant drought of more than thirty years?</p>
  197.  
  198. <p class="has-text-align-none">Today&#8217;s game:</p>
  199.  
  200. <ul class="wp-block-list">
  201. <li>5:08 pm: Mariners @ Blue Jays [0-0], FOX</li>
  202. </ul>
  203. ]]>
  204. </content>
  206. </entry>
  207. <entry>
  209. <author>
  210. <name>Jim McLennan</name>
  211. </author>
  213. <title type="html"><![CDATA[Postseason Game Discussion, #11]]></title>
  214. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/diamondbacks-gamedays/85501/postseason-game-discussion-11" />
  215. <id>https://www.azsnakepit.com/85501/postseason-game-discussion-10</id>
  216. <updated>2025-10-11T16:30:29-04:00</updated>
  217. <published>2025-10-11T20:00:00-04:00</published>
  218. <category scheme="https://www.azsnakepit.com" term="Diamondbacks Game Days" /><category scheme="https://www.azsnakepit.com" term="Gameday Threads" />
  219. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Follow that. After the longest sudden death playoff game in baseball history allowed the Mariners to move on to the AL Championship Series, the National League gets its chance to see if it can deliver a matching classic. It’s an all-Central battle, the Cubs going into Milwaukee for the deciding game in their series. The [&#8230;]]]></summary>
  221. <content type="html">
  222. <![CDATA[
  223.  
  225. <figure>
  226.  
  227. <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.azsnakepit.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2025/10/gettyimages-2240008933.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
  228. <figcaption>
  229. </figcaption>
  230. </figure>
  231. <p class="has-text-align-none">Follow that. After the longest sudden death playoff game in baseball history allowed the Mariners to move on to the AL Championship Series, the National League gets its chance to see if it can deliver a matching classic. It’s an all-Central battle, the Cubs going into Milwaukee for the deciding game in their series. The lost the two earlier games there quite badly, by scores of 9-3 and 7-3. But this time, it’s a bullpen game for both sides. Milwaukee start with All-Star closer Trevor Megill, while Chicago will use Drew Pomeranz, who got the win in Game 3 for his scoreless inning of relief.</p>
  232.  
  233. <p class="has-text-align-none">Today&#8217;s game:</p>
  234.  
  235. <ul class="wp-block-list">
  236. <li>5:08 pm: Cubs @ Brewers [2-2], TBS/truTV/HBO Max.</li>
  237. </ul>
  238. ]]>
  239. </content>
  241. </entry>
  242. <entry>
  244. <author>
  245. <name>Jim McLennan</name>
  246. </author>
  248. <title type="html"><![CDATA[Name the 2025 Arizona Diamondbacks]]></title>
  249. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/az-snake-pit-community/85249/name-the-2025-arizona-diamondbacks" />
  250. <id>https://www.azsnakepit.com/?p=85249</id>
  251. <updated>2025-10-03T16:11:32-04:00</updated>
  252. <published>2025-10-11T16:00:00-04:00</published>
  253. <category scheme="https://www.azsnakepit.com" term="AZ Snake Pit Community" />
  254. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[It’s time for one of our traditional early off-season activities: the Sporcle where you have to try and remember the names of everyone who played for the Diamondbacks this year. This season’s edition promises to be a particularly tough one, because no fewer than 65 people pulled on the Sedona Red: 24 position players and [&#8230;]]]></summary>
  256. <content type="html">
  257. <![CDATA[
  258.  
  260. <figure>
  261.  
  262. <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.azsnakepit.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2025/10/gettyimages-2202844325.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
  263. <figcaption>
  264. </figcaption>
  265. </figure>
  266. <p class="has-text-align-none">It’s time for one of our traditional early off-season activities: the Sporcle where you have to try and remember the names of everyone who played for the Diamondbacks this year. This season’s edition promises to be a particularly tough one, because no fewer than 65 people pulled on the Sedona Red: 24 position players and 41 pitchers (two of those actually both hit <span>and</span> pitched, which is quite rare in these days of the designated hitter). It was mostly due to the bullpen churn: the team only used nine starters, and that includes the opener. But out of the bullpen, just two men reached even forty innings this year.</p>
  267.  
  268. <p class="has-text-align-none">So, this does promise to be a bit of a challenge. You only have to provide their last name, and I think I managed to filter out all the funky characters beyond A-Z, and also take into account certain players who did not see fit to limit themselves to just the <span>one</span> last name! The position players are first with a bit of help in the shape of their primary position, and are in descending order of PA. Then the pitchers, in descending order of innings. We may only be a few days after the end of the season, but if you can remember half of these names, I think you’re doing pretty well. 45 would be genuinely impressive. </p>
  269.  
  270. <p class="has-text-align-none">The quiz is below, or can be found here.</p>
  271.  
  272. <iframe src="https://www.sporcle.com/framed/?v=10&#038;pm&#038;gid=g617c426ce&#038;fid=68ddca05ddf98"></iframe>
  273.  
  274. <p class="has-text-align-none">Feel free to post a comment listing your greatest hits and biggest misses. Spoiler text is recommended for use there. And if you want a <span>real</span> challenge, here are links to some of the previous season’s quizzes. </p>
  275.  
  276. <ul class="wp-block-list">
  277. <li><a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/2024/10/12/24262565/saturday-sporcle-the-2024-diamondbacks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The 2024 Diamondbacks</a></li>
  278.  
  279.  
  280.  
  281. <li><a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/2023/11/11/23945789/saturday-sporcle-name-the-2023-diamondbacks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The 2023 Diamondbacks</a></li>
  282.  
  283.  
  284.  
  285. <li><a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/2022/10/15/23403570/your-saturday-sporcle-the-2022-d-backs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The 2022 Diamondbacks</a></li>
  286.  
  287.  
  288.  
  289. <li>The 2021 Diamondbacks: <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/2021/10/9/22715243/your-saturday-sporcle-2021-diamondbacks-part-1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">position players</a> and <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/2021/10/17/22716442/your-saturday-sporcle-2021-diamondbacks-part-2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pitchers</a></li>
  290.  
  291.  
  292.  
  293. <li><a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/2020/11/7/21553578/saturday-sporcle-2020-diamondbacks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The 2020 Diamondbacks</a></li>
  294.  
  295.  
  296.  
  297. <li>[There wasn’t one for 2019 &#8211; I’ll maybe go back and fix that!]</li>
  298.  
  299.  
  300.  
  301. <li><a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/2018/10/7/17943488/saturday-sporcle-2018-diamondbacks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The 2018 Diamondbacks</a></li>
  302.  
  303.  
  304.  
  305. <li><a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/2017/10/14/16470234/name-all-2017-diamondbacks" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The 2017 Diamondbacks</a></li>
  306. </ul>
  307. ]]>
  308. </content>
  310. </entry>
  311. <entry>
  313. <author>
  314. <name>James Attwood</name>
  315. </author>
  317. <title type="html"><![CDATA[Snake Bytes 10/11: Partying Like It’s 2001]]></title>
  318. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/arizona-diamondbacks-news/85495/snake-bytes-10-11-partying-like-its-2001" />
  319. <id>https://www.azsnakepit.com/?p=85495</id>
  320. <updated>2025-10-11T13:28:21-04:00</updated>
  321. <published>2025-10-11T13:28:21-04:00</published>
  322. <category scheme="https://www.azsnakepit.com" term="Arizona Diamondbacks News" /><category scheme="https://www.azsnakepit.com" term="Diamondbacks News" /><category scheme="https://www.azsnakepit.com" term="Latest News" /><category scheme="https://www.azsnakepit.com" term="Minor League News" /><category scheme="https://www.azsnakepit.com" term="MLB News" />
  323. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Diamondbacks News Will Gallen Return? What is Lawlar’s Role? Four Questions for the DiamondbacksMany questions surround what will happen to the Diamondbacks this winter, among them are what the team will do about Zac Gallen and Jordan Lawlar. Then there are the issues of the bullpen and the slow start to the season. How AZ’s [&#8230;]]]></summary>
  325. <content type="html">
  326. <![CDATA[
  327.  
  329. <figure>
  330.  
  331. <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.azsnakepit.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2025/10/gettyimages-2240432854.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
  332. <figcaption>
  333. </figcaption>
  334. </figure>
  335. <p class="has-text-align-none">Diamondbacks News</p>
  336.  
  337. <p class="has-text-align-none"><a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/questions-for-d-backs-to-answer-during-offseason">Will Gallen Return? What is Lawlar’s Role? Four Questions for the Diamondbacks</a><br>Many questions surround what will happen to the Diamondbacks this winter, among them are what the team will do about Zac Gallen and Jordan Lawlar. Then there are the issues of the bullpen and the slow start to the season.</p>
  338.  
  339. <p class="has-text-align-none"><a href="https://www.si.com/mlb/diamondbacks/arizona-diamondbacks-news/diamondbacks-july-tale-triumph-heartbreak">How AZ’s July Was a Tale of Triumph and Heartbreak</a><br>If only July hadn’t been preceded by the abysmal June.</p>
  340.  
  341. <p class="has-text-align-none"><a href="https://www.dbacksunderreview.com/diamondbacks-merrill-kelly-reunion-2026/">Diamondbacks Face Tight Payroll for Potential Kelly Reunion</a><br>The general consensus seems to be that Arizona still provides the best possible fit for free agent Merrill Kelly. Arizona needs a minimum of two or more starters. Kelly is an Arizona man. But despite all the reasons the fit is a good one, payroll may end up sinking the deal regardless.</p>
  342.  
  343. <p class="has-text-align-none">Other Baseball News</p>
  344.  
  345. <p class="has-text-align-none"><a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/mariners-win-alds-2025-vs-tigers">Epic 15-inning ALDS Sends Seattle to ALCS</a><br>A walk-off single by Jorge Polanco in the bottom of the 15th inning sent the Seattle Mariners to the ALCS for the first time in 24 years.</p>
  346.  
  347. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  348. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">“There’s no such thing as a perfect throw.”<br><br>Cal Raleigh: <a href="https://t.co/f7FH1RTraJ">pic.twitter.com/f7FH1RTraJ</a></p>&mdash; Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/1976818481275478253?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2025</a></blockquote>
  349. </div></figure>
  350.  
  351. <p class="has-text-align-none"><a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/how-did-the-mariners-beat-tarik-skubal-three-times-and-can-they-do-it-again/">How the Mariners Beat Skubal Three Times &#8211; And Can They Do It Again</a><br>One thing is for certain, when this postseason comes to an end for the Seattle Mariners (whenever that happens to be), no one is going to be able to make much of an argument that they had the “easy” path through the playoffs.</p>
  352.  
  353. <p class="has-text-align-none"><a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/46555121/mlb-2025-playoffs-phillies-nlds-exit-elimination-harper-schwarber-contention-winning">After Playoff Exit, How Long Can Philly Contend?</a><br>With Kyle Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto, and Ranger Suarez all hitting free agency, Zack Wheeler recovering from thoracic outlet surgery, and the bedrock stars of the club all being 32 or older, is Philadelphia’s competitive window closed?</p>
  354.  
  355. <p class="has-text-align-none"><a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/storylines-for-brewers-vs-cubs-in-nlds-game-5">Three Stories for Cubs-Brewers Game 5</a><br>The winner of today’s tilt will advance to face the rested Los Angeles Dodgers. Will the Brewers cobble together another victory? Will the Cubs muscle up yet again? How do Pat Murphy and Craig Counsell match up against each other? One has the most wins ever by a Milwaukee manager. The other has the highest win percentage by a Milwaukee manager.</p>
  356.  
  357. <p class="has-text-align-none"></p>
  358. ]]>
  359. </content>
  361. </entry>
  362. <entry>
  364. <author>
  365. <name>Jim McLennan</name>
  366. </author>
  368. <title type="html"><![CDATA[Postseason Game Discussion, #10]]></title>
  369. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/diamondbacks-gamedays/85474/postseason-game-discussion-10" />
  370. <id>https://www.azsnakepit.com/85474/postseason-game-discussion-8</id>
  371. <updated>2025-10-10T17:51:46-04:00</updated>
  372. <published>2025-10-10T20:00:00-04:00</published>
  373. <category scheme="https://www.azsnakepit.com" term="Diamondbacks Game Days" /><category scheme="https://www.azsnakepit.com" term="Gameday Threads" />
  374. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[And then, there was one. For the first time this post-season, there is only a single scheduled game [well, not counting the day off between the Wild Card and Division Series]. It will decide which of Detroit and Torono go through to the AL Championship Series against the Blue Jays. The Tigers staved off elimination [&#8230;]]]></summary>
  376. <content type="html">
  377. <![CDATA[
  378.  
  380. <figure>
  381.  
  382. <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.azsnakepit.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2025/10/gettyimages-2239414586.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
  383. <figcaption>
  384. </figcaption>
  385. </figure>
  386. <p class="has-text-align-none">And then, there was one. For the first time this post-season, there is only a single scheduled game [well, not counting the day off between the Wild Card and Division Series]. It will decide which of Detroit and Torono go through to the AL Championship Series against the Blue Jays. The Tigers staved off elimination with the most convincing win of their series, beating the Mariners 9-3. It has, generally, been a pitching-dominant series, with both teams having a collective OPS which starts with a six. Specifically, .647 for Detroit and .672 for Seattle, though the former have actually outscored the latter, 18-16. </p>
  387.  
  388. <p class="has-text-align-none">Today&#8217;s game:</p>
  389.  
  390. <ul class="wp-block-list">
  391. <li>5:08 pm: Mariners @ Tigers [2-2], FOX</li>
  392. </ul>
  393. ]]>
  394. </content>
  396. </entry>
  397. <entry>
  399. <author>
  400. <name>Jim McLennan</name>
  401. </author>
  403. <title type="html"><![CDATA[2026 D-backs non-tender candidates: Hitters]]></title>
  404. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/arizona-diamondbacks-analysis-amp-commentary/85411/2026-d-backs-non-tender-candidates-hitters" />
  405. <id>https://www.azsnakepit.com/?p=85411</id>
  406. <updated>2025-10-08T20:27:45-04:00</updated>
  407. <published>2025-10-10T16:00:00-04:00</published>
  408. <category scheme="https://www.azsnakepit.com" term="Arizona Diamondbacks Analysis &amp; Commentary" />
  409. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[As discussed earlier in the week, the D-backs have a total of 11 players who are currently eligible to go through the arbitration process this winter. I wanted to take a more detailed look at these, and so have split them up into position players and pitchers. First though, some notes on payroll overall. Based [&#8230;]]]></summary>
  411. <content type="html">
  412. <![CDATA[
  413.  
  415. <figure>
  416.  
  417. <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.azsnakepit.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2025/10/imagn-26884197.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
  418. <figcaption>
  419. </figcaption>
  420. </figure>
  421. <p class="has-text-align-none">As discussed <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/arizona-diamondbacks-analysis-amp-commentary/85375/2026-arizona-diamondbacks-arbitration-estimates" data-type="post" data-id="85375">earlier in the week</a>, the D-backs have a total of 11 players who are currently eligible to go through the arbitration process this winter. I wanted to take a more detailed look at these, and so have split them up into position players and pitchers. First though, some notes on payroll overall. Based on  the <a href="https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/arizona-diamondbacks/payroll/_/year/2026" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">figures from <em>Spotrac</em></a>, the D-backs are currently fully committed to paying about $103.5 million in payroll next year, to eight players. Those are the guaranteed contracts, and presumes that Lourdes Gurriel will exercise his $13 million contract for 2026 &#8211; the only contract with an option next year, presuming Zac Gallen will decline his QO and move on. </p>
  422.  
  423. <p class="has-text-align-none">We do not know for certain what the team will have to spend next year. Last year, <a href="https://www.spotrac.com/mlb/arizona-diamondbacks/payroll/_/year/2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the final figure</a> was $179 million, with the figure for competitive balance tax purposes even higher, at $220 million. <a href="https://arizonasports.com/mlb/arizona-diamondbacks/payroll-2026/3597683/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ken Kendrick has said</a> that won’t be matched, but the specific level remains to be established. Whatever it is, the balance will have to cover both the arbitration players the team decides to retain, and also any free agents and/or players traded for over the course of the winter. For example, re-signing Merrill Kelly would take a significant amount, with positions like the corner infield and bullpen perhaps also in need of shoring up. </p>
  424.  
  425. <p class="has-text-align-none">Given that, how much does the team want to commit in arbitration? Going off the <em>MLB Trade Rumor</em> estimates, the 11 Arizona players would total $26 million. However, the excess cost would be less, because even if the team decline all of them, they would still have to pay league minimum to their replacements, at $780,000 per player. That’d be $8.6 million in total. It’s worth bearing in mind, especially at the bottom of the list. For example, John Curtiss is forecast to get $1.2 million. But non-tendering him and getting a replacement, entry-level player instead, would only save the team about $420K. </p>
  426.  
  427. <p class="has-text-align-none">With that all said, here are the D-backs hitters eligible for arbitration, in alphabetic order, along with their service time and <em>MLBTR</em> estimated cost for 2026. </p>
  428.  
  429. <h4 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Jake McCarthy (3.074): $1.9MM</h4>
  430.  
  431. <p class="has-text-align-none">When Jake broke through in 2022, he looked very promising. Despite appearing in under a hundred games, he was still fourth in the Rookie of the Year voting. But it has been a struggle since, with hopes for this year holed below the waterline by a wretched start, which saw him go 3-for-41 before being optioned to Reno. The numbers were better after he returned in late June, but a .674 OPS there was still unimpressive. On the other hand, the team has few credible outfield options, especially with Gurriel’s return date uncertain. You could argue a case that Jake might not need to be <span>good</span> to be tendered &#8211; just better than Jorge Barrosa.</p>
  432.  
  433. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-polldaddy wp-block-embed-polldaddy"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  434. <div class="iframely-embed"><div class="iframely-responsive"><a href="https://poll.fm/16128070" data-iframely-url="https://cdn.iframe.ly/api/iframe?maxheight=750&#038;url=https%3A%2F%2Fpoll.fm%2F16128070&#038;key=a95589c51263af39f0de8ef8737db4f3"></a></div></div>
  435. </div></figure>
  436.  
  437. <h4 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Gabriel Moreno (3.061): $2.4MM</h4>
  438.  
  439. <p class="has-text-align-none">This one does not merit much discussion. Since coming from Toronto, Moreno has been worth 8.3 bWAR. While it’s less than Daulton Varsho (11.3 bWAR), this is largely due to health issues which have limited Gabby to an average of 97 games per year, compared to Varsho’s 122. $2.4 million is still a bargain for Moreno’s level of production: it’d barely be enough for a credible backup catcher on the market. Jacob Stallings got that from the Rockies last winter ($2m guaranteed, $500K buyout), and was one of the worst players in the major leagues this year, at -1.3 bWAR. See also Elias Diaz: $1.5m, $2m buyout and also below replacement level at -0.2 bWAR. </p>
  440.  
  441. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-polldaddy wp-block-embed-polldaddy"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  442. <div class="iframely-embed"><div class="iframely-responsive"><a href="https://poll.fm/16128115" data-iframely-url="https://cdn.iframe.ly/api/iframe?maxheight=750&#038;url=https%3A%2F%2Fpoll.fm%2F16128115&#038;key=a95589c51263af39f0de8ef8737db4f3"></a></div></div>
  443. </div></figure>
  444.  
  445. <h4 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Pavin Smith (4.015): $2.4MM</h4>
  446.  
  447. <p class="has-text-align-none">Few players are more divisive among fandom than Smith. Over the past two seasons he has an OPS+ of 129 across almost 450 PA. But has he received twenty-nine percent more love above average, over that time? I do not think so. To be fair, Pavin’s numbers this year were jacked by a .377 BABIP. Smith was also strictly platooned, seeing only 24 PA against left-handed pitching before a strained quad ended his season. For the first time, he saw more time at designated hitter than in the field. That may indicate the team’s intentions for him in 2026 &#8211; as the strong side of a DH platoon. Now in his second year of arbitration eligibility, is Smith cheap enough to be worth it?</p>
  448.  
  449. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-polldaddy wp-block-embed-polldaddy"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  450. <div class="iframely-embed"><div class="iframely-responsive"><a href="https://poll.fm/16128166" data-iframely-url="https://cdn.iframe.ly/api/iframe?maxheight=750&#038;url=https%3A%2F%2Fpoll.fm%2F16128166&#038;key=a95589c51263af39f0de8ef8737db4f3"></a></div></div>
  451. </div></figure>
  452.  
  453. <h4 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Alek Thomas (3.103): $2.2MM</h4>
  454.  
  455. <p class="has-text-align-none">Thomas was the everyday center fielder, appearing 139 times there. However, the defensive metrics were not particularly impressed: Statcast had both his range and arm at average, while Defensive Runs Saves were at -7. Combine that with an offensive approach which had a lot of blue on <a href="https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/alek-thomas-677950?stats=statcast-r-hitting-mlb">Thomas’s Statcast page</a>, and his overall value barely being replacement level (0.1 bWAR) makes sense. However, as well as being better than McCarthy this year, it is worth remembering Thomas will still only be 25 next Opening Day. Despite it seeming like Alek has been around forever, already with 420 regular season games under his belt. There may be some upside left. </p>
  456.  
  457. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-polldaddy wp-block-embed-polldaddy"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  458. <div class="iframely-embed"><div class="iframely-responsive"><a href="https://poll.fm/16128209" data-iframely-url="https://cdn.iframe.ly/api/iframe?maxheight=750&#038;url=https%3A%2F%2Fpoll.fm%2F16128209&#038;key=a95589c51263af39f0de8ef8737db4f3"></a></div></div>
  459. </div></figure>
  460.  
  461. <h4 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Ildemaro Vargas (5.129): $1.4MM</h4>
  462.  
  463. <p class="has-text-align-none">After the trade of Josh Naylor, and the loss of Smith and Tyler Locklear to injury, Vargas ended up starting more games at first-base for the D-backs in September than anyone else. No offense to Ildemaro, but a career 78 OPS+ is probably <span>not</span> what you want at 1B when chasing a playoff spot. Vargas keeps returning to Arizona, having previously played for the D-backs in multiple stints from 2017-21. He was initially signed to a minor-league deal in December, but triggered an opt-out clause in May, and was re-signed to a major-league contract, joining the roster when Jordan Lawlar was sent down. Might Vargas be a useful super-utility piece for 2026?</p>
  464.  
  465. <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-polldaddy wp-block-embed-polldaddy"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
  466. <div class="iframely-embed"><div class="iframely-responsive"><a href="https://poll.fm/16128511" data-iframely-url="https://cdn.iframe.ly/api/iframe?maxheight=750&#038;url=https%3A%2F%2Fpoll.fm%2F16128511&#038;key=a95589c51263af39f0de8ef8737db4f3"></a></div></div>
  467. </div></figure>
  468. ]]>
  469. </content>
  471. </entry>
  472. <entry>
  474. <author>
  475. <name>Ben Seigel</name>
  476. </author>
  478. <title type="html"><![CDATA[Thursday Tidbits: Season Reflections]]></title>
  479. <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/arizona-diamondbacks-analysis-amp-commentary/85447/thursday-tidbits-season-reflections" />
  480. <id>https://www.azsnakepit.com/?p=85447</id>
  481. <updated>2025-10-10T02:37:46-04:00</updated>
  482. <published>2025-10-10T02:37:46-04:00</published>
  483. <category scheme="https://www.azsnakepit.com" term="Arizona Diamondbacks Analysis &amp; Commentary" />
  484. <summary type="html"><![CDATA[Introduction I’ll be honest, I’m still processing how this season went for the D-Backs. It’s difficult not to watch another Diamondbacks-less postseason without thinking about how this team might have performed if things had gone differently. Could they have feasted on that weak Dodger bullpen? How would this pitching staff have attacked a Cubs offense [&#8230;]]]></summary>
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  492. <img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.azsnakepit.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2025/10/gettyimages-2233950810.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" />
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  495. </figure>
  496. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Introduction</h3>
  497.  
  498. <p class="has-text-align-none">I’ll be honest, I’m still processing how this season went for the D-Backs. It’s difficult not to watch another Diamondbacks-less postseason without thinking about how this team might have performed if things had gone differently. Could they have feasted on that weak Dodger bullpen? How would this pitching staff have attacked a Cubs offense that scored more runs than everyone but Los Angeles and the Brewers? Sadly, these questions (along with many others) must remain as hypotheticals because of the massive disappointment that this year turned out to be. I’m still not quite ready to try and put all of my initial thoughts about this season onto paper, but I also wanted to start externally processing some of the thoughts I was having. So in the spirit of not dwelling solely on the negative or disappointing aspects of this season, I wanted to jot down a few more positive developments we got to witness. </p>
  499.  
  500. <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Further Player Development</h3>
  501.  
  502. <p class="has-text-align-none">Despite the undisputed disappointment we all suffered this season, there was at least one particularly bright spot that helped ease the disappointment: the continued development of younger players like Geraldo Perdomo and Corbin Carroll. It’s easy to dismiss in hindsight, but there were pointed questions for both of these players coming into this season. For Carroll, his sophomore season was a particularly disappointing follow-up to a breakout campaign in 2023 while Perdomo needed to quickly demonstrate why the front office showed so much faith in him by inking him to a contract <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/geraldo-perdomo-d-backs-extension">extension</a> back in February. Both players took incredible steps forward in their individual development with the pair coming in the top-10 of position players in the National League by bWAR, on-base plus slugging (OPS), and RBIs. Even better, they both focused on specific weak aspects of their respective games and showed demonstrative improvement in them. Those two leading the team alongside Ketel Marte adds a level of upside and offensive ceiling that the team hasn’t had in quite some time. </p>
  503.  
  504. <h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Fan Engagement and Support</h3>
  505.  
  506. <p class="has-text-align-none">Even when it became clear that this team wasn’t likely going to return to the postseason this year, Arizona fans managed to stay both engaged and show their fervor wherever I could see. After an unsurprising jump in attendance in 2024 after their unexpected World Series run the previous fall, I worried that some of that positive momentum might ebb. Instead, the team eclipsed the attendance numbers from last year and the ~2.4 million total people who pushed the turnstiles at Chase Field is in the top-10 for the franchise. It’s always refreshing to see ownership open up the checkbook and invest in the team to then have the fans support the team by attending games and staying engaged through the more difficult stretches of a long season. </p>
  507.  
  508. <h3 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Youth Movement</h3>
  509.  
  510. <p class="has-text-align-none">As a sport, baseball continues to emphasize players being as young as they can be for roster construction. The D-Backs were no exception to this rule as just 23 out of the 65 total players that appeared for the team were past their 30th birthday. Then, as the team’s playoff aspirations began to crumble away, the front office shipped off five of those 30-plus year olds to further youthify the roster. Thus, for next season, it’s entirely possible that the team may be fielding one of its youngest cumulative rosters since this contention window opened back in 2023. That possibility is both exciting and worrying as younger players are obviously likely to be less experienced, but can also be more malleable. It does give me an additional level of hope for next season as several acquired players from this year’s Trade Deadline could prove to be important contributors as soon as next season. I can’t wait to see what they’ll do. </p>
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  514. </entry>
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