The Arizona Diamondbacks will spend the coming months dealing with the frustration of another razor-thin elimination from postseason contention.

Arizona has already secured manager Torey Lovullo’s return. However, with the possibility of a lockout looming, the team may need to complete important roster additions early in the offseason.

The Diamondbacks may not have significant money available for free agents, but several areas of the roster cannot remain unchanged if they intend to contend in 2027.

Addressing the starting rotation must be one of Arizona’s leading priorities. The Diamondbacks cannot afford to overlook it.

Arizona entered the 2026 season with another talented collection of starting pitchers. However, the five pitchers who begin a season in the rotation are rarely enough to carry a team through all 162 games.

The Diamondbacks are waiting for Corbin Burnes to make his opt-out decision. Regardless of his choice, Arizona will likely lose Zac Gallen and Michael Soroka to free agency. Gallen struggled and also dealt with right elbow inflammation during the season.

Those departures could leave the Diamondbacks with Ryne Nelson, Merrill Kelly, Eduardo Rodríguez and Brandon Pfaadt as their remaining rotation options.

Depth is equally important. Arizona should explore retaining Soroka, who has said he would love to return, while also pursuing an external addition.

The Diamondbacks’ rotation ranked 19th in MLB with a 4.28 ERA in 864.1 innings. Arizona also failed to receive positive results from rookies Kohl Drake, Mitch Bratt and José Cabrera when injuries forced the team to use them.

The rotation therefore needs additional depth and another front-line pitcher.

Soroka went 9-5 with a 3.41 ERA and 1.09 WHIP in 116 innings over 22 appearances (21 starts) this season, recording 114 strikeouts against 29 walks.

He understands Arizona’s environment, has expressed interest in returning and would not need to adjust to an entirely unfamiliar team.

His experience would provide stability behind the primary starters while reducing the pressure placed on younger pitchers.

Soroka has handled both success and physical adversity during his career, giving him the perspective required to work through difficult stretches.

He also offers Arizona a pitcher capable of competing for a rotation position without needing to be treated as the only solution.

That distinction matters because the Diamondbacks need multiple additions rather than one signing expected to repair every weakness.

Soroka’s willingness to return could help Arizona pursue continuity while directing additional resources toward another proven starter.

Retaining him would also protect the Diamondbacks from immediately depending on Drake, Bratt or Cabrera before any of them demonstrates readiness for a permanent role.

Arizona needs pitchers who can remain composed, make adjustments and provide dependable innings throughout a long season.

Soroka could supply part of that solution, but the Diamondbacks must surround him with enough established depth to prevent injuries from dismantling the rotation again.