D-backs' offseason FAQ: What you need to know

This story was excerpted from Steve Gilberts' D-backs Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

As the World Series wraps up and the Hot Stove season gets cooking, we've got you covered on what you need to know:

What are the key dates?
First day after the World Series: Eligible players become free agents. Also, the trade freeze is lifted and Major League players may be traded between clubs.

Fifth day after the World Series: The deadline for teams and players to make decisions on contract options, the deadline for clubs to reinstate all players on the 60-day injured list and the deadline for clubs to tender qualifying offers (3 p.m. MST). Also, the “quiet period” ends and Major League free agents are free to sign with any club as of 3 p.m. MST.

Nov. 10-13: General Managers Meetings in Las Vegas. 

Nov. 18: The deadline for players to accept a qualifying offer is 2 p.m. MST. Also, the deadline to add players to the 40-man roster to protect them from the Rule 5 Draft is 4 p.m. MST.

Nov. 21: Tender deadline. By 6 p.m. MST on the Friday before Thanksgiving, teams must formally tender a contract to all unsigned players for the following season, including their arbitration-eligible players. If a player is non-tendered, he becomes a free agent. 

Dec. 8-11: Winter Meetings in Orlando, Fla., including the MLB Draft Lottery on Dec. 9 and the Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 10.

Dec. 15: End of the 2025 international signing period. 

Jan. 8, 2026: Eligible players and clubs exchange arbitration figures. 

Jan. 15, 2026: Start of the new international signing period. 

Feb. 11, 2026: First day of pitcher/catcher workouts.

Feb. 16, 2026: First full-squad workout.

What's the payroll going to be?
The Diamondbacks opened last season with a club-record payroll of around $195 million. While club officials have said that number will be lower in 2026, GM Mike Hazen emphasized that he will have more than enough payroll to field a team that should compete for a postseason berth.

The team never announces what its payroll will be in advance. It's worth keeping in mind that managing general partner Ken Kendrick has found ways to expand the budget the past two offseasons when there was a unique opportunity.

In 2024, the Diamondbacks signed Jordan Montgomery just after Opening Day when his market was not as robust as he had hoped. Last year, Arizona shocked the baseball world by inking right-hander Corbin Burnes to a six-year, $210 million deal.

What do the Diamondbacks need and how might they fill those needs -- trades or free agency?
The Diamondbacks have some holes to fill in both the rotation and the bullpen. With the payroll decreasing, look for Hazen to use trades as a way of adding to the roster.

It would be surprising to see the Diamondbacks part with one of their top-tier prospects. But they do have depth to trade from, particularly when it comes to outfielders like Jake McCarthy and Alek Thomas.

There was speculation before the Trade Deadline that Arizona might deal second baseman Ketel Marte, but that seems highly unlikely. A team would have to really overwhelm the Diamondbacks to get them to even consider dealing Marte, who is under a club-friendly deal.

Who are the Diamondbacks’ free agents?
RHP Zac Gallen
C James McCann
LHP Jalen Beeks

Are any of them likely to receive a qualifying offer, and what is the deadline for that?
Gallen is the only one who will receive a qualifying offer (a one-year, $22.025 million deal for 2026). The deadline for that is 3 p.m. MST on the fifth day after the conclusion of the World Series.

If you want to learn more about the system of qualifying offers, including who is eligible this year and who is not, my colleague Thomas Harrigan has you covered in this explainer. 

What about contract options?
There are no players with a contract option for 2026.

Who is arbitration-eligible?
RHP Ryan Thompson
LHP A.J. Puk
RHP Kevin Ginkel
INF Ildemaro Vargas
1B Pavin Smith
RHP Kyle Nelson
RHP John Curtiss
RHP Ryne Nelson
OF Jake McCarthy
OF Alek Thomas
C Gabriel Moreno

Are any of those players non-tender candidates?
Vargas, Nelson and Curtiss are candidates.

Who are players the Diamondbacks need to add to protect them from the Rule 5 Draft?

Left-hander Kohl Drake (Arizona’s No. 6 prospect per MLB Pipeline), left-hander Mitch Bratt (No. 9), right-hander Dylan Ray and shortstop Jose Fernandez seem like good bets to be added. Left-hander Spencer Giesting and right-hander Landon Sims could be as well.