One month after signing ace Corbin Burnes, the Arizona Diamondbacks are looking to round out their roster by adding a high-leverage arm to the bullpen. Arizona has been quietly having one of the best off-seasons in baseball, adding Burnes to an already-deep rotation and acquiring Josh Naylor to replace free agent Christian Walker. But general manager Mike Hazen told the Arizona Republic’s Nick Piecoro that he still wants to add a late-inning option to his bullpen. More specifically, the Diamondbacks are searching for a closer.
Diamondbacks Aim to Fill Closer Role Prior to Start of Spring Training
After losing Paul Sewald to the Guardians, Arizona has been linked to multiple free agent relievers and potential trade targets. However, Hazen is not working with unlimited resources. Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick wants to avoid raising the payroll any higher than the estimated $194 million it is now. When asked about payroll, Hazen did imply that he is still “in a position to add to the team.”
Arizona has been linked to several high leverage arms this offseason including free agent closers Carlos Estévez and Kyle Finnegan. Estévez, who had a 2.45 with 26 saves between the Angels and the Phillies last season, is the best free agent closer still available. Nearly all contending teams have checked in with the 32-year-old who Sportrac predicts will sign a three-year, $42 million deal. Coming off of his first All-Star season, Finnegan has been another free agent reliever gaining interest among contenders this winter. The 33-year-old had a career-high 38 saves for Washington and could sign a slightly more reasonable two-year, $25 million deal.
Diamondbacks Still Looking to Upgrade Bullpen Ahead of Spring Training
According to Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated, the Diamondbacks have also expressed interest in free agent lefty reliever Tim Hill. While not a closer, Hill had a combined 3.36 ERA and four holds between the White Sox and the Yankees last season. One of the Yankees’ most reliable relievers in the postseason, Hill posted a 1.08 ERA over 8 ⅓ innings. With career earnings of $6.6 million, the soon-to-be 35-year-old would be an affordable late-inning arm for the budget-conscious Snakes.
Arizona could also turn to the trade market, with the Rays’ Pete Fairbanks and Cardinals’ Ryan Helsley both appealing targets. Hazen has reportedly checked in on Helsley, but the Cardinals asking price was higher than he was willing to go. It is no secret that Arizona wants to trade Jordan Montgomery and take the $22.5 million he is owed for 2025 off the books. Offloading even part of his salary would allow for the Diamondbacks to sign a higher-end closer like Estévez or Finnegan. Including a starter like Montgomery in a trade package for a reliever could also be in play according to Hazen.
With less than a month before Spring Training begins and a fast-moving reliever market, the clock is ticking for the Diamondbacks to find their next closer.
Main Photo Credits: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
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