D-backs Under Review Podcast

The Arizona Diamondbacks avoid an arbitration hearing for the third straight year, agreeing to deals with all 8 eligible players ahead of the filing deadline.

Michael McDermott delivers his takeaways from these arbitration deals and discusses a potential sleeper prospect in the Diamondbacks system on the D-backs Under Review Podcast!

Time Stamps

0:00 - Introduction

2:11 - Diamondbacks Settle All 8 Salary Arbitration Cases

19:18 - Sleeper Prospect in the Diamondbacks Farm System

27:30 - Outro

BetOnline is not bullish about a turnaround in 2026. The betting site sets the over/under on the Arizona Diamondbacks' win total at 78.5, which is fourth in the National League West. Michael McDermott breaks down what a 78-win season means, the next contention window, Zac Gallen's free agency, and where 2025 top pick Kayson Cunningham fits.

WATCH

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Timestamps

0:00 - Intro

1:08 - What a 78-Win Season Means for the Diamondbacks

8:01 - The Diamondbacks’ Next Contention Window

The Arizona Diamondbacks’ offseason has hit a standstill — and all signs point to Ketel Marte as the reason why. With trade rumors swirling and Mike Hazen facing a major roster crossroads, the front office can’t fully move forward until the Marte question gets answered.

In this episode, Michael McDermott breaks down:

1. Why the Diamondbacks’ offseason feels frozen waiting on Ketel Marte trade offers

2. The market shifting away from Marte, with Alex Bregman and Bo Bichette’s markets heating up

3. David Hagaman named the Diamondbacks’ breakout prospect for 2026

Timestamps

0:00...

Mike Hazen faces the toughest offseason of his tenure as the D-backs general manager. With injuries complicating roster building, along with the inability to build on a 2023 World Series run, Hazen could be on the hot seat in 2026.

The latest D-backs Under Review podcast talks about a critical offseason, the increasing likelihood Ketel Marte stays, some players who need to break out, and identifying their remaining offseason needs.

Timestamps

0:00 - Intro

0:28 - GM Mike Hazen's Toughest Offseason

8:12 - Ketel Marte Likely to Stay

13:14 - 2026 Breakout Candidates

The Diamondbacks face a critical decision on both Ketel Marte and Alex Bregman. If they get a deal for Marte that satisfies their pitching, would they fill the gap by signing Bregman? Michael McDermott breaks that possibility down on the latest D-backs Under Review Podcast episode.

Timestamps

0:00 - Intro

2:06 - Alex Bregman vs. Ketel Marte

12:48 - Best Trade Packages for Marte

26:39 - D-backs Showed Interest in Munetaka Murakami

31:38 - D-backs Under Review 2025 Recap

35:23 - Outro

In the latest episode of the D-backs Under Review podcast, Michael McDermott explains why it’s time for the team to move on from Ketel Marte trade rumors to address other offseason needs. Get the latest on Kazuma Okamoto and Pete Fairbanks, plus why it doesn’t make sense for the club to reunite with Paul Goldschmidt after seven seasons.

WATCH:

Chapters:

0:00 - Introduction

0:46 - Time to Pull Ketel Marte Out of Trade Market

9:25 - D-backs Linked to Kazuma Okamoto

17:59 - Pete Fairbanks Off the Market, Signs with...

The latest episode of the D-backs Under Review podcast dives into the latest rumors surrounding Ketel Marte and if the Tampa Bay Rays will make a run at him. The Rays have an opening at second base after trading Brandon Lowe to the Pirates in a three-team deal.

Michael McDermott discusses the latest reports on the Rays link to the D-backs All-Star second baseman, the Kyle Backhus trade to the Phillies, veteran utility infielder Ildemaro Vargas returning on a minor league deal, and reports that San Diego offered Merrill Kelly a “competitive offer” before he ultimately chose to r...

The Arizona Diamondbacks have been named as a surprise suitor for former Red Sox and Astros third baseman Alex Bregman. Arizona famously passed on Bregman in the 2015 MLB Draft in favor of Dansby Swanson, but could they rectify that mistake 10 years later?

Michael McDermott discusses the latest rumors on Bregman, and how his potential signing would impact the D-backs’ infield in the short and long term, for the D-backs Under Review Podcast.

Chapters:

* 0:00 - Introduction

* 0:49 - D-backs Named Surprise Suitor for Alex Bregman

* 5:41 - What a Deal Would Mean fo...

Merrill Kelly's latest contract could allow him to retire as a Diamondback after 10 seasons in Arizona. Michael McDermott breaks down how that can happen, if a deal kills Ketel Marte trade speculation, what's left to do in the offseason, and under-the-radar players to watch on the latest D-backs Under Review Podcast episode.

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro

0:27 - Merrill Kelly Contract Details

7:36 - Likelihood of a Ketel Marte Deal?

14:11 - Remaining Offseason Needs

18:05 - Under the Radar Relievers

25:48 - Outro

Merrill Kelly is back in Arizona, as the D-backs signed the 37-year-old to a two-year deal stabilize their 2026 rotation. Michael McDermott takes a deep dive into the D-backs’ starting rotation depth, from top to bottom. Hear his thoughts about their projected Opening Day rotation, Triple-A depth, and top pitching prospects to bring a full organizational overview.

Useful Timestamps

0:00 - Intro

1:00 - Merrill Kelly Returns

7:03 - Michael Soroka Signing Official

12:02 - D-backs’ 2026 Rotation Situation

26:06 - D-backs’ Top Pitching Prospects

35:51 - Outro

Related Content

The 2025 Winter Meetings are officially over. The Arizona Diamondbacks made one move, signing RHP Michael Soroka to a one-year deal. The rest of the Winter Meetings was dominated by Ketel Marte trade rumors, as teams tried to pry the All-Star 2B from Arizona.

Michael McDermott from D-backs Under Review recapped the Winter Meetings, including some of the latest reports on Marte, Pierce Johnson, and the Rule 5 Draft.

Time Stamps

0:00 - Introduction and CTAs

0:36 - 2025 D-backs Winter Meetings Recap

6:28 - Addressing the Latest Ketel Marte Rumors

21:37 - D-backs’ In...

Michael McDermott launches the D-backs Under Review podcast! With baseball now in the Winter Meetings, expect some big moves to follow. Michael discusses the following topics (timestamps included).

* Michael Soroka signing (1:28)

* Ketel Marte rumors and the D-backs’ willingness to listen (11:21)

* The possibility of Pete Fairbanks being the D-backs’ next closer (22:06)

If you want to watch the video version, you can check it out on the D-backs Under Review YouTube channel! Make sure to subscribe to the YouTube channel, as it helps funnel people toward the Substack page.

D-backs Unde...