What does the Diamondbacks’ depth chart look like before free agency, trades begin? ...Middle East

October is a time of self evaluation and planning for the Arizona Diamondbacks after a disappointing 80-82 campaign.

Trades and free agency do not start until after the World Series champion is crowned at the end of October or beginning of November, and the Diamondbacks expect to be active looking for pitching reinforcements when it does.

After that, there is room for improvement with the backup catcher spot, first base and outfield.

The D-backs have a lot of players were positional flexibility, which can be helpful in building a roster, but it does give the club more to think about in terms of where the pieces fit.

As an exercise in assessing the Diamondbacks’ roster needs, let’s build out a depth chart with players who are under contract for 2026 to find the clear holes.

Arizona traded six players on expiring contracts at the trade deadline and face free agent decisions on starter Zac Gallen and catcher James McCann, among others.

Building the Diamondbacks before a single offseason move is made

Catcher

(AP Photo/Matt York)

Moreno is the starting catcher of the present and future, but with McCann a free agent, the backup catcher role is a question.

Del Castillo caught only 16 games this past season, as injuries kept him off the field for most of the first half and the D-backs needed him as a designated hitter over the final two months. He could provide an exciting offensive foil to Moreno as a left-handed bat, in theory, but the Diamondbacks prioritize defense, and Del Castillo did not receive many game reps back there in 2025.

Moreno has spent time on the IL each year since 2023. Catchers also don’t start every game, although the Diamondbacks tried keeping Moreno in the lineup as a DH in late September. In short, finding a capable backup catcher may not be first on the list, but it is important.

Free agents: J.T. Realmuto, Mitch Garver (mutual option), Christian Vazquez, Danny Jansen (MO), Victor Caratini, Elias Diaz (MO), James McCann, Austin Hedges

First base

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

First base is in a precarious spot.

Tawa and Vargas, neither of whom are first basemen by trade, platooned at first base by the end of the year. The D-backs went from eight years of Paul Goldschmidt to six years of Christian Walker to four months of Josh Naylor to no first basemen at all.

Locklear needs elbow and shoulder surgery this offseason after a collision at first base in September, and his recovery will likely force him to miss the start of next season. He struggled mightily (-1.1 bWAR) after getting traded to Arizona from Seattle for Eugenio Suarez, so he has to prove he can make the adjustments to stick in MLB.

Smith remains under team control after dominating in April and underwhelming for the rest of an injury-marred season. Even if he returns to a semi-regular role, a short-side platoon would be needed.

Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro has reported that first base is not on top of Arizona’s priorities list, but that does not mean it won’t be addressed.

Free agents: Pete Alonso, Josh Naylor, Ryan O’Hearn, Luis Arraez, Josh Bell, Paul Goldschmidt, Wilmer Flores, Dominic Smith, Ty France

Second base

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Unless the Diamondbacks actually pull the trigger on trading arguably their most talented hitter after some drama this past season, Marte will be back in a core role for the team after he signed an six-year, $116.5 million extension in the spring.

Marte was great offensively once again with an .892 OPS and 28 home runs as a switch-hitting second baseman, the type of profile that does not come around often. He took a step back defensively with 99 starts at second base and 21 as the DH, which bears the question: How much will he DH going forward? The D-backs have some defensive versatility and depth along the infield, both in the majors and the high minors.

Troy put together his best professional season at 23 years old, making it to Triple-A Reno and likely earning a spot in big league camp next spring. Troy mostly played second base this season with some reps at shortstop and center field.

Shortstop

(Photo by Jeremy Chen/Getty Images)

Perdomo was the best overall player on the team in 2025, breaking out offensively with an .851 OPS while playing through injury to log 161 games.

Alexander did not play any shortstop this season in the majors, while Lawlar only logged eight innings at the position.

Vargas looks like the in-house front runner for the backup role.

Free agents: Bo Bichette, Willi Castro, Chris Taylor, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Miguel Rojas, Orlando Arcia, Tyler Wade

Third base

(Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Alexander took advantage of his opportunity to man third base everyday once the club traded Suarez, as Alexander worked a .748 OPS and seven home runs after Aug. 1 with plus defense at the hot corner.

Does that make him the Opening Day third baseman in 2026? That’s unclear.

The Diamondbacks have some positioning to figure out, including with Lawlar, who was not trusted to defend by the end of the season after a series of missteps, including an errant throw that led to Locklear’s injury. Perhaps those were early-career jitters, but the athletic 23-year-old has a lot to prove. He turned it around at the plate in September, though (.851 OPS in 44 PAs).

Groover has yet to play Triple-A ball, so perhaps he is more of an option for the second half. He started 113 games at third base in Double-A, and he has been a consistent offensive player with a .297/.384/.440 line in 211 minor league games.

Outfield

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Carroll should be a top 10 NL MVP finisher or better, but after him, the Diamondbacks did not receive much offensive production from the outfield this year. Gurriel heated up in August before tearing his ACL in September, which will keep him out for at least the first half of next season.

Neither Thomas or McCarthy were consistently impactful at the dish, as they were worth -0.5 bWAR combined.

General manager Mike Hazen mentioned in his exit interview with media that he was curious whether Lawlar could play outfield, which would be a solution to his defensive questions while opening up third base for Alexander. That’s a hypothetical at this point, as center and left field are very much in the third base bucket of there being several players who can fill that role.

The Diamondbacks have promise in their farm system with Waldshmidt dominating in Double-A (.921 OPS). Druw Jones was better in the second half in High-A (.799 OPS with elite defense), while Slade Caldwell had a promising first pro season at 19 years old (.777 OPS).

Robinson and Vukovich have big power with lots of swing-and-miss, and they each finished the 2025 campaign well. They face the Rule 5 Draft if not placed on the 40-man roster.

Free agents: Kyle Tucker, Cody Bellinger (player option), Kyle Schwarber, Luis Robert Jr. (club option), Trent Grisham, Mike Yastrzemski, Harrison Bader (MO), Starling Marte, Rob Refsnyder, Randal Grichuk (MO), Max Kepler, Cedric Mullins, Tommy Pham, Michael Conforto

Starting pitchers

(Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Burnes is hoping to be back from Tommy John surgery rehab by July, Gallen is a free agent and there are three returning starters who are penned into the rotation to start the year.

Hazen was very clear the Diamondbacks will be fixated on pitching this offseason, both in regards to the rotation and bullpen.

Could Gallen be back? How about Merrill Kelly?

Nelson was great once re-inserted into the starting rotation at the end of May, while Pfaadt and Rodriguez had up-and-down years with ERAs over 5.00.

Mena suffered a teres major strain that ended his season after only three major league appearances, but the 22-year-old has shown potential.

Giesting won the club’s minor league pitcher of the month for September with Triple-A Reno, while Drake is a name to watch after coming over in the Kelly trade.

Garcia is a relief prospect with starting experience and has been open about wanting to start again. Lin and Diaz were considered the team’s top pitching prospects at one point, but they both took steps backward this season.

Unless the Diamondbacks fill both spots in the rotation to prepare for Burnes’ absence, there is going to be plenty of competition among young starters for the right to be next up.

Free agents: Framber Valdez, Ranger Suarez, Dylan Cease, Shane Bieber (PO), Michael King (MO), Chris Sale (CO), Lucas Giolito (MO), Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Brandon Woodruff (MO), Chris Bassitt, Jake Flaherty (PO), Zach Eflin, Zack Littell, Nestor Cortes, Erick Fedde, Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, Tyler Anderson, Tomoyuki Sugano, Dustin May, Jose Quintana (MO), German Marquez

Bullpen

(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

The Diamondbacks had a hard time making up for the losses of Puk and Martinez to season-ending elbow surgeries, and that’s what they will have to try to improve next year. Puk might be back by the midway point if fortunate, while Martinez is done for the first half if not the entire season.

On this 25-player list, nine pitchers made their MLB debuts this year and three have yet to do so.

There are a lot of different arm slots and velocities on this list. Morillo throws triple digits. Garcia hits upper 90s from a side-arm slot. Saalfrank throws 89 mph but worked a 1.24 ERA from a three-quarter arm slot. Thompson is a submariner.

There are pieces here to play with and find the right combination, but growing pains and a revolving door with some of the young relievers are reasonable expectations.

Hazen admitted that looking into adding a closer is probably going to be on the priority list, although finding one is easier said than done.

Free agents: Edwin Diaz (opt-out), Robert Suarez (opt-out), Nick Martinez, Pete Fairbanks (CO), Kenley Jansen, Ryan Helsley, Emilio Pagan, Jose Alvarado (CO), Tyler Rogers, Taylor Rogers, Seranthony Dominguez, Kyle Finnegan, Luke Weaver, Raisel Iglesias, Phil Maton, Gregory Soto, Devin Williams, Caleb Thielbar, Kirby Yates, Jose Leclerc, Jordan Romano

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