[MLB Trade Rumors] Mike Hazen Discusses Diamondbacks’ Remaining Offseason Goals – The Diamondbacks bullpen could clearly use an established late-inning arm to help stabilize things while Martinez and Puk are on the shelf. Hazen didn’t name specific targets in his recent comments, but it seems Arizona is interested in just that sort of player given the club’s interest in Pete Fairbanks before he landed in Miami last month. Seranthony Dominguez is the top relief arm still available in free agency and would make plenty of sense in the desert. If his contract ends up being too rich for their tastes, other options like Pierce Johnson, Michael Kopech, and Danny Coulombe also remain available in a relief market that’s seen most of the high-leverage options picked over in the early months of the winter.

[Heavy] Diamondbacks Get Great News on Outfielder’s Injury Progression – It’s been just over four months since Arizona outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. tore his ACL, but the veteran is making great progress in his rehab. “I haven’t gotten an update since the new year, but when I checked in with [head athletic trainer Ryan DiPanfilo] over the break, [Gurriel] was well ahead of schedule with what I was told,” Hazen said. “Typically that type of surgery is a rough plus or minus 11 to 12 month recovery. But from everything I was told… Lourdes was well ahead of schedule, already moving around great. He’s working out in Miami and we’re sort of making visits there. I’m sure we’ll see him here coming in in the next few weeks to start transitioning that rehab back to us.”

[SI] 3 Effects of Diamondbacks Not Trading Ketel Marte – Even the most professional of players are not immune to how these types of conversations come off. Hazen (and manager Torey Lovullo) have been in contact with Marte through this process, and Hazen said he does not expect there to be bad blood as a result. But it’s tough to avoid those types of emotions on a human level. It’s possible Marte comes into Spring Training with somewhat of a chip on his shoulder. In no way does it appear that the relationship between Marte and the organization is broken, even with some of the midseason drama in 2025. But Marte may feel he has something to prove, which could even end up benefiting Arizona.

[Heavy] Diamondbacks Lose Another Bullpen Target as Pierce Johnson Heads to Reds – As the Arizona Diamondbacks seek upgrades for their bullpen, one more reliever has found a home. The New York Post‘s Jon Heyman reports that right-hander Pierce Johnson is headed to the Cincinnati Reds. The Diamondbacks showed interest in Johnson, as reported by Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro and The Arizona Republic‘s Nick Piecoro. The 34-year-old reliever has pitched for multiple National League West teams, including the Rockies, Padres, and Giants. Johnson spent the 2025 season with the Atlanta Braves. The curveball specialist appeared in 65 games with Atlanta, pitching to a 3.05 ERA and a 24.8% strikeout rate in 59 innings

[FOX Sports] Why the Skubal-Tigers Salary Standoff Could Make MLB History – Skubal is seeking $32 million in arbitration. The Tigers countered at $19 million. The $13 million chasm between the team and their two-time Cy Young ace is a record. So is the figure that Skubal is pursuing. No pitcher has ever made even $20 million in arbitration. The record for a starter belongs to David Price, who, coincidentally, avoided arbitration with the Tigers when the two sides agreed to a $19.75 million deal. That was 11 years ago. That fact surely isn’t lost on Skubal… He is setting the bar high, and attempting to create a new highwater mark for pitchers of his ilk, a year before what will likely be a contentious labor battle.

[MLB] Execs poll: Top system? Best at drafting? Best at trading for prospects? – There’s clearly no consensus here with 10 different organizations getting votes and five getting double-digit shares percentage-wise. It might not seem fair for the Dodgers to sit atop this list after winning back-to-back World Series titles, but there they are. Los Angeles topped our midseason system rankings too. The Mariners — second in this survey — were third on that list, while the Brewers and Tigers — tied for third here — came in fourth and sixth respectively last summer. [The Dodgers? Sighs heavily. Gonna be a LONG decade, isn’t it? The D-backs received few votes in any category]