The Arizona Diamondbacks finished two games short of the playoffs in 2026 after carrying a franchise-high payroll, and owner Ken Kendrick says the club will spend less next season. It was Arizona’s third straight year out of October.
“It will not be at the same level. It’ll be a lower payroll than we had this year,” Kendrick told Burns and Gambo of Arizona Sports.
The Diamondbacks closed 2026 with an approximate $193 million cash payroll and a competitive-balance-tax figure around $236.29 million, according to MLB Trade Rumors’ payroll tracker.
That was about $8 million above the previous franchise high in 2025 and left them roughly $8 million shy of the first luxury-tax threshold. Arizona has never paid the tax.
A lower number does not automatically require a salary dump, although it does man that the Diamondbacks probably won’t be major players in free agency.
Kendrick noted that a decent amount of money is coming off the books through impending free agents who “made little or no contribution to the team” this year.
He did not name them. Zac Gallen earned $22.025 million, more than $14 million of it deferred, and posted an earned-run average north of 6.00 in 22 appearances. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. made $13 million and will collect a $5 million buyout; he finished with a career-worst .544 OPS and was released in September.
Michael Soroka, the club’s top free agent, made $7.5 million and pitched well enough to command a raise. There is mutual interest in a reunion.
Ryan Thompson, A.J. Puk, Jonathan Loáisiga, Taylor Clarke, James McCann, Ildemaro Vargas, Kevin Ginkel and Dennis Santana combined for roughly $17 million on arbitration or one-year deals. Loáisiga and Clarke in particular outperformed those modest salaries, but all of them are free agents.
Arizona has no first-time arbitration players. Lars Nootbaar, Gabriel Moreno and Ryne Nelson are projected by Matt Swartz to combine for about $15.8 million. Pavin Smith is projected at $2.5 million and is a likely non-tender. The club spent just over $19.5 million on its arbitration class this year, so that group could save a few million.
Corbin Burnes, Eduardo Rodriguez, Corbin Carroll, Merrill Kelly, Nolan Arenado, Ketel Marte, Brandon Pfaadt, Geraldo Perdomo and Justin Martinez will combine for $130 million next season.
St. Louis will send $9 million to offset part of Arenado’s salary, leaving about $121 million in guaranteed commitments. With the arbitration class, Arizona would have roughly $137 million committed before outside additions or league-minimum players.
If next year’s minimum, still to be set in the coming collective bargaining agreement, lands near $1 million, the club would enter the winter around $150 million.
The roster still has holes. The bullpen will need veteran help around Martinez, Brandyn Garcia and Juan Morillo. Even if Soroka returns, another starter with swing-and-miss stuff would help.
First base was the worst in the majors in 2026. Backup catcher and a utility infielder are other possible needs. Free agency is unlikely to cover all of that.
Marte could surface in trade talks after he no-showed for another game in August, and the outfield depth of Carroll, Nootbaar, Jordan Lawlar and Ryan Waldschmidt offers another lever if the club wants to reallocate money.
