Mike Hazen gives update on where Diamondbacks stand at Winter Meetings
Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen breaks down where the team is at in terms of building the 2026 roster this winter.
The Arizona Diamondbacks finalized the signing of right-hander Michael Soroka to a one-year, $7.5 million deal, and general manager Mike Hazen said he continues to juggle possibilities to continue to add to his starting rotation.
“We’re in both markets right now,” he said of the trade and free-agent markets. “It could come in either one of those.”
Soroka, 28, enjoyed a terrific rookie season in 2019 with the Atlanta Braves but has largely battled injuries since. During the 2025 season, he missed more than a month with a right shoulder strain. He missed back-to-back seasons in 2020 and 2021 as he dealt with consecutive tears to his right Achilles tendon.
The Diamondbacks’ depleted rotation — not only is it without right-hander Corbin Burnes until midseason as he recovers from Tommy John surgery, but it is also now missing longtime stalwarts Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly — would seemingly make the ability to log innings important in any addition.
Soroka, though, is hardly a safe bet to do that. Outside of 2019, when he threw 174 2/3 innings, his next-highest innings total was the 89 2/3 he logged this year, in which he posted a 4.52 ERA.
Hazen acknowledged that reality but said the club felt “comfortable” with Soroka’s health situation. He also noted that the organization’s improved pitching depth, which he believes has improved, gave him some comfort, as well.
“We feel like that floor has been raised a little bit from, obviously, the growth of some of our young minor league players and the trades we made at the deadline,” Hazen said. “We felt a little more confident because of that.
“Certainly, that issue of adding innings to our starting rotation is something we’re still focused on.”
Soroka will receive a guaranteed $7.5 million with a chance to make another $2 million in bonuses.
Soroka joins a rotation that also includes right-handers Ryne Nelson and Brandon Pfaadt and left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez.
When it comes to trade possibilities to add another starter, the Diamondbacks seemingly could go in a number of different directions.
A Ketel Marte trade almost certainly would include starting pitching. The Diamondbacks could pursue a veteran with minimal remaining club control, like the Brewers’ Freddy Peralta or the Nationals’ MacKenzie Gore, likely having to give up significant prospect capital to make it happen. Another possibility would be to trade a young, unestablished position player for a similarly experienced starting pitcher.
Hazen was asked if a trade or free-agent signing felt like it was close to happening.
“I’ve told you guys this before, it’s hard for me to truly characterize what ‘close’ means,” he said. “I feel like we’re within a phone call or two from getting something done. Whether and how that comes is to be determined.”