Diamondbacks’ Offseason Strategy
On Monday, an executive from a competing team highlighted the Arizona Diamondbacks’ offseason narrative, quipping, “We have no money, we have no money, we have no money… oh, Ken got aggressive.” Ken refers to Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick, who appears to be making bold moves again.
Interest in Alex Bregman
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the DBacks are looking at signing free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman. While the collective-bargaining agreement restricts club officials from commenting directly on free agents, a source familiar with the DBacks’ strategy indicated that “nothing is off the table” for their offseason plans.
Potential Trade Dynamics
Acquiring Bregman would likely require trading second baseman Ketel Marte first, similar to the unexpected addition of free-agent right-hander Corbin Burnes last year. Bregman, who enjoyed his season with the Boston Red Sox, is still under consideration by them but also shares a connection with the DBacks — both live in the Phoenix area and are represented by agent Scott Boras.
Concerns About Contract Length
Bregman, who turns 32 in March, is slightly older than Burnes was when he signed with the DBacks. While the DBacks may hesitate to offer a long-term contract to an older hitter, the Burnes deal shows their flexibility. The main question is whether Bregman would accept a deal similar to his last one with the Red Sox, weighing shorter contracts against his advancing age.
Trade Requirements and Financial Considerations
To accommodate Bregman’s signing, the DBacks will probably need to trade Marte first, to maintain leverage. Marte’s contract includes deferrals, which lower his average annual value for luxury-tax purposes. Bregman could demand at least double that amount. Supposedly, the Diamondbacks’ current payroll is about $17 million lower than last season.
Mariners’ Pursuits
The Seattle Mariners, looking to recover from losing infielder Jorge Polanco to free agency, are also interested in Marte and the Cardinals’ Donovan. Donovan’s positional flexibility makes him a more fitting choice for Seattle, whereas Marte offers greater offensive capability despite being older and under contract for longer.
Rockies’ Trade Readiness
The Colorado Rockies are currently assessing center fielder Brenton Doyle’s value before considering any trades, especially after a tough season. Although Doyle’s defensive skills are appealing, his recent dip in performance makes moving him less advantageous. The Rockies might look to trade from their bullpen instead, bolstered by recent acquisitions.
Overall Market Dynamics
As of Tuesday, only a fraction of the top free agents had signed, and many teams are actively pursuing trades. With most clubs focused on improving their rosters, the trade market is more competitive. The Rockies and White Sox are less active, but the overall sentiment is that teams prefer acquiring prospects over established players.
