While the 2025 MLB season has certainly been a disappointing one for the Arizona Diamondbacks, there have been several bright spots in the second half of the season to be optimistic about their chances in 2026.
Shortstop Geraldo Perdomo, second baseman Ketel Marte and outfielder Corbin Carroll have all had strong seasons at the plate. Ryne Nelson has looked good in the starting rotation despite starting the season in the bullpen, while Zac Gallen has looked strong as of late despite struggling throughout the season.
Arizona’s 21-16 record since the trade deadline has shown the D-backs could potentially compete in the National League next season. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal seems to think so, too.
Rosenthal listed the D-backs as a team to look out for next season.
It seems implausible, but the Diamondbacks are playing better than they did before trading first baseman Josh Naylor, third baseman Eugenio Suarez, right-hander Merrill Kelly, outfielder Randal Grichuk and reliever Shelby Miller. Staff ace Zac Gallen is finally back in form. Shortstop Gerardo Perdomo, second baseman Ketel Marte and right fielder Corbin Carroll are major producers. When healthy, catcher Gabriel Moreno can be, too.
The D-backs have been hit hard by the injury bug this season with several season-ending injuries to key players, including Corbin Burnes, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., A.J. Puk, Justin Martinez and Pavin Smith.
Rosenthal credited manager Torey Lovullo with righting the ship for the D-backs despite the injuries and losing nine of 10 games around the deadline.
Manager Torey Lovullo deserves credit for holding the team together when, on multiple occasions, it could have fallen apart.
First, the Diamondbacks endured season-ending injuries to righty Corbin Burnes and relievers Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk. Then, they lost nine of 10 around the deadline, with their players clearly unsettled by the team’s sudden transformation into a seller. Lovullo ensured the Diamondbacks never quit.
How do the D-backs look beyond 2025?
The D-backs enter next season with questions about the long-term answers for several positions on the roster, including left field, first base and third base.
Since trading Suarez and Naylor at the deadline, the D-backs largely played Tyler Locklear at first base before he was placed on the injured list with an elbow issue, while Blaze Alexander and Jordan Lawlar have gotten reps at third base. Alexander, Jake McCarthy and Jorge Barrosa have played at left field since Gurriel’s season-ending injury.
Rosenthal said it will be important for the team to figure out how some of their younger players, including Lawlar and Alexander, fit on their team next season.
They need to determine how Blaze Alexander and Jordan Lawlar fit in their infield, whether to take full advantage of Tim Tawa’s defensive skill in center, what to do with outfielders Alek Thomas and Jake McCarthy. They also are high on two prospects, Double-A outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt and Triple-A second baseman/outfielder Tommy Troy.
The pitching rotation is also another question mark for the D-backs in 2026. With Burnes on the shelf for much of next season and Gallen being a free agent after this season, Rosenthal says the team’s chances next season could come down to how general manager Mike Hazen bolsters the rotation this offseason.
If general manager Mike Hazen can bolster his rotation beyond Ryne Nelson, Brandon Pfaadt and Eduardo Rodriguez, the D-Backs will not be without hope. The question is how Hazen will find additional starters. And the answer, after last offseason’s $210 million splurge for Burnes, is likely through trade.
The bullpen will also have plenty of questions marks after Martinez and Puk both underwent season-ending elbow surgeries this season. Their statuses are also up in the air in 2026.
