The Arizona Diamondbacks are making meaningful moves under the radar; how will they play out?
The Arizona Diamondbacks have quietly made some minor signings and depth moves in November. All might seem like nothing major but have but they do have meaning behind them.
Veteran Catcher Matt O'Neill signed a minor league that included an invitation to Big League spring training. This move shows how the Diamondbacks are building on depth and internal competition to decide roster spots.
O'Neill is another sign of Arizona hedging out the risk and giving themselves more choices in spring training and moving forward.
When I say risk, I am referring to the risk of big contract and getting nothing out of them. This move is also considered a depth signing, meaning the signing contract is cheaper and helps maintain balance within the organization and roster.
The goal is to build a strong foundation to hopefully be a more attractive team for big name players to want to come play for the Diamondbacks.
Arizona did re-sign another veteran catcher Aramis Garcia as well. With this depth at catcher of multiple veterans we are sure to see some entertaining competition.
RHP Emiliano Mache was signed as well to a minor league contract in hopes he can grow this season in the minors and make his way up for the 2027 season.
A pitcher who got signed to a Major League deal with the Diamondbacks was veteran pitcher Anthony DeSclafani. He will bring a relief to bullpen/roster concerns as well as depth to starting rotation if needed. The veteran presence alone is something the young bullpen of Arizona can definitely profit from.
A total of ten minor league signings in all the Diamondbacks have shown they were not joking when they said they needed to trim the big money contracts around the organization.
Surely being only in November, we are sure to see many more moves to come.