The Arizona Diamondbacks are navigating a period of significant transition, marked by tough roster decisions and the recent departure of key veterans at the trade deadline. Despite a clear shift towards the future, the team has shown resilience on the field, currently riding a three-game winning streak and holding a 63-66 record.
The most recent major move came on Friday, as the team activated Gold Glove catcher Gabriel Moreno from the injured list following his recovery from an index finger fracture. His return necessitated a difficult decision, leading the club to designate for assignment Jose Herrera, the longest-tenured member of the organization. The move leaves Moreno and veteran James McCann as the primary catchers.
Manager Torey Lovullo addressed the emotional decision, praising Herrera’s contributions. “Those are tough conversations… I was able to follow up with [Herrera] and just tell him how much he meant to this organization and the great things that he’s done for this organization will never be forgotten,” Lovullo said, according to Sports Illustrated. Lovullo explained that retaining McCann was influenced by his extensive experience and the strong rapport he has built with the pitching staff. “We see that bond, and we see the success, and the earned run average in the bullpen has been considerably less since McCann’s been on board,” he added.
This roster adjustment follows an active trade deadline where the Diamondbacks signaled a strategic retooling by trading away two of their most productive offensive players to the Seattle Mariners. In late July, Arizona sent veteran first baseman Josh Naylor to Seattle in exchange for pitching prospects Brandyn Garcia and Ashton Izzi. Naylor was batting .292 with 11 home runs at the time of the trade.
Just before the July 31 deadline, the Diamondbacks executed an even larger blockbuster, sending All-Star third baseman Eugenio Suárez back to the Mariners. Suárez was in the midst of a career year, leading the team with 36 home runs and 87 RBI. His 36 homers set a record for the most by a player traded at the deadline. In return, Arizona acquired a package of prospects featuring first baseman Tyler Locklear and pitchers Hunter Cranton and Juan Burgos.
Despite trading away significant power from the heart of their lineup, the Diamondbacks have remained competitive. They recently secured back-to-back victories against the Cleveland Guardians, 6-5 and 3-2, before kicking off their series against the Cincinnati Reds with a 6-5 win. The team currently sits in third place in the National League West.
The club’s performance has been buoyed by its own All-Stars. Second baseman Ketel Marte, who started for the National League in the 2025 All-Star Game, continues to lead the team with a .293 batting average. Marte delivered a key two-run double in the Midsummer Classic. Outfielder Corbin Carroll also earned a reserve All-Star selection and has been a consistent presence since returning from a wrist fracture in early July.
As the Diamondbacks move forward, the focus appears to be a dual approach: competing in the present while strategically building for the future. The return of an elite defensive catcher in Moreno is a significant boost for the current squad, but the influx of prospects from the deadline trades clearly indicates that the front office is laying the groundwork for the years to come.
