The 2026 Major League Baseball season ended in disappointment for the Arizona Diamondbacks. 

Despite notching a winning record of 86-76, the Diamondbacks missed out on the playoffs after failing to capture a wild card spot in the crowded National League. The talent was there, but a mix of injuries and inconsistencies eventually doomed Arizona.

The organization is going to have to figure out a lot in the coming months, and the future of several personnel may be on the line, from the coaching staff down to the players. However, there is one silver lining that the Diamondbacks and their fans can look forward to in 2027.

Recently, ESPN MLB Insider Bradford Doolittle put together his list of silver linings corresponding with each team that missed the playoffs.

In the case of the Diamondbacks, Doolittle pointed to the return of Eduardo Rodriguez, the All-Star left-hander who is coming off a very good season. After Rodriguez's first two seasons with the Diamondbacks bore mediocre results, the 33-year-old caught fire in 2026 on route to a 16-7 record with a 2.89 ERA through 33 starts and 189.2 innings of work.

It was, as Doolittle points out, a desperately needed campaign by Rodriguez for the Diamondbacks. Arizona's pitching staff struggled this season, especially as it pertains to the starting rotation.

Pitchers such as Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen were disappointing, to say the least, but Rodriguez remained on top of his game. Moreover, the Diamondbacks got their money's worth out of Rodriguez, who earned $21 million this season.

Rodriguez initially signed a 4-year, $80 million deal with Arizona in December 2023. Now, after an underwhelming start to his tenure with the Diamondbacks, Rodriguez looks as if he is going to be a productive option in the future.

Additionally, his contract depreciates. In 2027, he will earn $19 million instead of $21 million, according to Spotrac.

The Diamondbacks' front office has a lot of work to do in figuring out how to construct the pitching staff in a way that is effective beyond Rodriguez. But as long as the veteran stays healthy, he has what it takes to become an ace in the rotation. Along with his other numbers, Doolittle highlighted that Rodriguez finished the season with a career-best 143 ERA+.

The organization needs to look in the mirror and identify its weaknesses so that it does not miss the playoffs once again in 2027. Understandably, fans are frustrated, but they should take solace in the fact that the roster is made up of talented players such as Rodriguez and others.