D-backs Expand to Record Setting Payroll With Big Moves
NOTE: This article has been updated to reflect revised payroll figures that have come out since the Eduardo Rodriguez signing became official.
Coming off a World Series appearance, Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen said he was going to be aggressive in filling the needs of the team. He's spoken repeatedly about a sense of urgency to get back to the postseason right away and continue the pursuit of a championship. The owner of the team, Ken Kendrick, pledged that he would be making "substantial" increases to the payroll budget in order to provide Hazen with the tools he needs to keep the momentum going. Both have been true to their words and even exceeded expecations.
The first big move was acquiring third baseman Eugenio Suarez from the Seattle Mariners. While that trade did not require the D-backs to send any highly rated prospects back to the Mariners, they did absorb all of Suarez's contract. He will make $11.3 million in 2024. He has a $2 million option buyout, or the team can pick up his $15 million option for 2025 if they so desire.
News of an even bigger move came out on Wednesday night just as the Winter Meetings were ending. The D-backs just signed starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez to a four year, $80 million deal, with a vesting option for 2028 that would bring the total to $100 million. The deal was made official today and per Robert Murray of Fansided the deal is somewhat backloaded as Rodriguez will receive just $14M in 2024.
These moves have driven the team's 2024 payroll commit up to about $128 million, which is already close to $15 million higher than where they started in 2023. Moreover, this total is on the verge of surpassing the previous franchise payroll record of $131 million set in 2018. There is a very good chance they won't stop here however. In search of a strong right-handed bat to fill either the DH spot or a corner outfield spot, Mike Hazen said on Wednesday he is more likely to fill that spot with free agent dollars rather than through trade.
Yesterday Michael McDermott wrote about some of the players being linked to the team from various sources, including Justin Turner, J.D. Martinez, and Rhys Hoskins. One more was added today by Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic, Jorge Soler. Any one of these players is likely to command a salary between $12-$20 million. As such, if the D-backs do end up with one of these players they likely surpass $140 million and may even approach the $150 million payroll threshold.
This is great news for the franchise, the fan base, and the sport in general. Kendrick spoke about the windfall from the team's run to the World Series, and how they expect that to also translate into greater season ticket sales revenue. It might also be a sign that the team expects to replace a sizable chunk of the revenue lost due to the cancellation of their television deal with Bally Sports. Sources indicate that the team is confident they can replace upwards of 75% of that revenue and perhaps even more.
Even if the team is able to land a free agent bat, they still have a couple of other needs, including a veteran back up catcher and perhaps more relief depth. Relief depth is not as pressing however now that they landed Rodriguez, as it gives the team more flexibility to convert one of their young starting pitchers to a relief role. Tommy Henry, Ryne Nelson, Slade Cecconi, Bryce Jarvis, and Blake Walston will all be competing for the 5th starter's spot. Expect at least one or two of them to end up in a bullpen role. Hazen even said that many teams have inquired on their young pitchers and relievers. Asked which ones he said "all of them except Sewald", who will earn over $7 million in 2024. Therefore it would not be a shock if the team trades from this depth to improve in other areas.
The moves so far add up to about 84 wins on paper. (See below table) Adding a 2-WAR DH would push it to 86, giving the team an excellent platform from which to contend going forward. Moreover, Hazen emphasized that not depleting his prospect capital now gives him the flexibility to add impact talent at the trade deadline via trade.
Dbacks Payroll and War Projection December 8, 2024
Jack Sommers
