The Arizona Diamondbacks need to make some improvements if they hope to reach the postseason.
The 2026 Major League Baseball Trade Deadline is just days away, which means time is quickly running out for teams to decide which direction they want their franchise to go.
For some who are contenders, the answer is clear: Do what needs to be done to make the deepest run in October.
For others, the outlook on the rest of the season is more bleak, so preparation for the future is imperative. For those clubs, moving off certain contracts to get prospects is the better choice.
The Arizona Diamondbacks fall somewhere in the middle. At 57-52, they are second in the National League Wild Card hunt after completing a crucial series win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
For now, Arizona is in a decent spot, but to ensure it gets to play postseason baseball, the front office needs to address some crucial areas.
What do the Diamondbacks need?
Recently, Tim Britton, Eno Sarris and Johnny Flores Jr. of The Athletic combined their efforts to provide outlooks on the needs for all 30 clubs ahead of the Deadline. The Diamondbacks fell into all three categories listed in the article, the first of which is starting pitching.
Arizona falling into this category should not come as a great surprise. Heading into Thursday’s slate of games, the Diamondbacks’ starting rotation is 14th in ERA (4.27), second in hits allowed (602), seventh in earned runs (283) and 29th in strikeouts (418).
Some of the struggles this season have been a result of injuries; others have been a result of inconsistencies. The Diamondbacks would love to get Corbin Burnes back sooner rather than later, but he likely will not be back in the rotation until September.
Eduardo Rodriguez has been the one bright spot in the lineup. He was named an All-Star, and he has a 10-3 record with a 2.48 ERA through 22 starts.
However, others have struggled. Before landing on the Injured List on July 12, right-hander Zac Gallen was having a dismal campaign. In 19 starts, Gallen is just 3-9 with a 6.34 ERA.
Merrill Kelly has been better than Gallen, but not great. Through 19 starts, he is 8-8 with a 4.86 ERA. The 37-year-old is showing his age, and Arizona cannot rely on him in a high-leverage situation should the team end up participating in the playoffs.
Overall, the Diamondbacks’ pitching staff is in a rough spot. They have one weapon in Rodriguez, and it is hard to say what Burnes will look like once he finally makes it back to the mound after not pitching in an MLB setting for well over a year.
General manager Mike Hazen has expressed interest in being a buyer at the Deadline. If he is, this is one of the areas he needs to focus on.
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