The Arizona Diamondbacks’ expensive rotation is crumbling under injuries and ballooning ERAs and could use some help.
Entering the offseason, the Arizona Diamondbacks faced significant uncertainty surrounding the starting rotation.
With Corbin Burnes recovering from Tommy John surgery and Zac Gallen entering free agency, the organization needed solutions to replace more than 90 starts.
Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen and the front office chose a strategy centered on continuity.
Kelly returned on a two-year, $40 million contract following last year’s trade to the Texas Rangers, while Gallen signed a one-year, $22 million deal carrying an adjusted value of $18 million after deferrals.
So far, the results have not aligned with expectations.
Burnes, who signed a six-year, $210 million contract, suffered a setback during recovery and was later diagnosed with a right Teres Major strain, making any return before September increasingly unlikely.
Gallen has also struggled.
His ERA climbed to 5.35 after finishing last season at 4.83.
He also owns a 1.53 WHIP with 50 strikeouts and 23 walks in 75.2 innings over 15 starts.
Kelly’s season has followed a difficult path as well.
He opened the year managing a back issue connected to an intercostal nerve condition and returned quickly following rehabilitation.
Across his first four outings, he surrendered 21 runs in 19 innings and posted a 9.95 ERA.
He later appeared to regain momentum.
Over his next five starts, Kelly went 4-0 with one no-decision and recorded a 2.36 ERA in 34.1 innings.
However, that stretch did not hold.
He’s 0-3 with an 8.27 ERA and 1.68 WHIP, recording nine strikeouts and six walks in 16.1 innings across his last three starts.
For Arizona, the larger issue is investment.
The Diamondbacks currently have significant financial commitments tied to two struggling starters while another important arm remains unavailable.
As a result, Michael Soroka, Eduardo Rodríguez, and Ryne Nelson have carried much of the rotation workload.
That reality has increased attention toward possible trade additions.
Why Ryan Can Help
On Wednesday, Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel from ESPN released their list of the top 100 trade candidates and identified Minnesota Twins starter Joe Ryan as a possible fit for Arizona.
Passan and McDaniel noted that Minnesota previously explored trade conversations involving Ryan and highlighted how strong his current season has become.
Among pitchers, only Jacob Misiorowski, Paul Skenes, Jacob deGrom, and Cristopher Sánchez currently own a better Strikeout-to-walk Ratio (K/BB).
They described Ryan as a legitimate frontline starter and suggested contenders would aggressively pursue him if Minnesota made him available.
“Ryan was one of the lone survivors after the Twins’ teardown last deadline -- and Minnesota was deep into discussions on deals involving him, as well. So, a move would surprise nobody, particularly considering that Ryan looks better than ever this season. Here are the pitchers with better K-BB% this year: Jacob Misiorowski, Paul Skenes, Jacob deGrom and Cristopher Sanchez. That’s it,” they wrote.
“Calling him a front-line starter is not just Minnesota Nice. It’s a reality, and contenders -- even ones with good rotations -- will be lining up the moment the Twins declare Ryan available.”
Ryan has only two innings of postseason experience, but since the beginning of 2022 he has performed like one of baseball’s top 25 pitchers.
He would immediately provide stability.
This season, Ryan owns a 3.17 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and 92 strikeouts in 82.1 innings over 15 starts.
In 2025, he also produced a 3.42 ERA and 1.04 WHIP while recording 194 strikeouts in 171 innings across 31 appearances, including 30 starts.
Ryan is now in his sixth season with Minnesota.
Beyond the numbers, Ryan offers qualities that could make him especially valuable.
One of his strongest attributes is efficiency.
He consistently works with control and avoids creating unnecessary pressure during outings.
Another defining quality is composure.
Ryan rarely appears rushed and maintains the same approach regardless of game situation.
He also brings durability, confidence, and an ability to adapt throughout games rather than relying exclusively on one path to success.
For a Diamondbacks team searching for stability, those traits may carry just as much value as the production itself.
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