Six pitchers are officially gone from the Diamondbacks’ roster after the 2026 season, and that’s just the *start* of the chaos rocking this team as the offseason kicks off. Forget minor tweaks; this team needs an overhaul, especially when it comes to the guys taking the mound. It feels like every conversation about what’s next starts and ends with finding arms, because right now, the cupboard is looking bare.
Who Even *Is* Our Starting Rotation Anymore?!
Let’s be real, the biggest issue is pitching, specifically starting pitching. We’re talking about losing Soroka, Gallen, Ginkel, Puk, Loaisiga, and Thompson right out of the gate. That’s a huge chunk of talent just walking out the door! So who’s left to shoulder the load? There are massive question marks hanging over Ryne Nelson’s health, and you gotta wonder about Rodriguez and Kelly. Oh, and the ghost of Corbin Burnes: will he ever be an effective starter again? This is a serious problem. The current projected rotation of Burnes, ERod, Pfaadt, Merrill, and a big question mark like Ryne Nelson is filled with uncertainty. The depth behind them? Suspect, at best, if someone gets hurt or just isn’t effective. Even with shocking bounceback seasons from both Eduardo Rodriguez and Michael Soroka in 2026, the starting pitching still ranked a dismal 11th in the NL by wins above average (WAA). And you can’t just bank on those guys repeating those remarkable seasons, especially when Soroka is one of the free agents we’re trying to figure out how to get back.
First Base Is A Black Hole, And The Bullpen Is A Guessing Game
But wait, there’s more! While pitching is a screaming emergency, we also need to talk about the bat, or lack thereof, at first base. This position, alongside left field, ranked 15th in the NL by WAA in 2026. Fifteenth! That’s unacceptable. We desperately need a lefty bat who can handle first, or just *anyone* who can hit consistently there. Seriously, worst case, you’re running Tim Tawa out there. Look, Tawa had a 98 wRC+ from July 1st on, even a 102 wRC+ against righties, which was better than Freddie Freeman, Josh Naylor, Christian Walker, and Nathaniel Lowe among first basemen over that same period. But is *he* the answer for a full season? Probably not. Folks are even talking about moving Arenado to first, or a Paul Goldschmidt reunion. A serviceable first baseman/DH is a top priority, no doubt. Then there’s the bullpen. After all those arms leaving, it’s just going to be a “throw-stuff-at-the-wall solution” to see what sticks. Not exactly confidence-inspiring, is it?
The One Hope: A Shot At Bringing Back Soroka
So, is there any light at the end of this dark tunnel? If we’re talking about an optimistic, but still realistic, target, then Michael Soroka has got to be it. There’s a real chance he appreciated the treatment he got here in Arizona, that “mile of leash” they gave him. Plus, going on the IL late in the season for more than just a single game really hammered his free agent value. Of all the starting-caliber guys out there on the market, he might actually be obtainable for us, assuming no one else comes in with a Merrill Kelly or better contract. It’s a long shot, but man, we need that kind of talent back.
This offseason isn’t just about plugging holes, it’s about rebuilding a whole damn rotation and finding someone who can actually hit a baseball at first. The front office has its work cut out, and every move they make is going to shape whether we even sniff contention next year. Get ready, it’s gonna be a wild one.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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