One month after a Dodgers World Series victory — and just over 24 hours after the Dodgers reportedly signed one of the top free agent arms available — it might be difficult to feel thankful as a Diamondbacks fan this Thanksgiving. However, much like life, there are always reasons to be grateful if you look closely.
No, I am not here to assure that the Diamondbacks will have a headline-grabbing offseason, nor that they will make the playoffs in 2025.
But I am here to tell you that, as a Diamondbacks fan, you have reasons to be thankful, too, this Thanksgiving.
1. stars to build around and embrace
Every fanbase would love to have Ketel Marte or Corbin Carroll. You have both of them — and they likely aren’t going anywhere any time soon.
Marte signed an extension prior to the 2022 season and is under club control through 2028. Carroll signed an extension prior to the 2023 season and is under club control through 2031.
Marte finished third in MVP voting this year after slashing .292/.372/.560 with 36 homers and 95 RBI. It was arguably the best season of his 10-year career.
Carroll struggled mightily in the first half of 2024 after a brilliant rookie season, but he looked like a superstar again in the second half. From July 7 through the end of the year, he slashed .258/.351/.577.
Marte and Carroll are stars. And if you root for the Diamondbacks, you can wear their names on your back without worrying about a looming free agent date or an imminent trade to a big-market rival.
Regardless of what happens with the rest of the roster in the coming years, that duo is a pretty good starting point.
2. Many great Diamondbacks moments in 2024
Given how the Diamondbacks’ season ended, it might be difficult to remember the fun and heroic moments that happened along the way. This team might not have made the playoffs, but it did win 89 games — the seventh-highest total in franchise history. Let’s look back on some of the most memorable moments of the season.
The first one that stands out happened on April 30 — and actually had little to do with baseball. That night, a bee swarm took residence near the top of the Chase Field backstop shortly before first pitch, and Matt Hilton, a beekeeper, drove all the way from his son’s tee-ball game in Surprise to vacuum up the bees and get the game started after a nearly two-hour delay.
Hilton left the game a hero. The next day, he had his own baseball card.
The Diamondbacks went on to beat the Dodgers that night in un-bee-lievable fashion, as Christian Walker launched a two-run, walk-off homer in the bottom of the 10th. Before Walker stepped into the batter’s box, manager Torey Lovullo told him to “hit it to the f-ing moon.”
Speaking of Walker hitting the ball to the moon, he has done a lot of that in his career in Dodger Stadium — and he certainly did this year. After hitting two homers at Dodger Stadium in May, Walker assembled one of the best road series performances you’ll ever see during a three-game set at Dodger Stadium from July 2-4.
In 16 plate appearances, he went 8-for-13 with five homers, one double, two singles, 9 RBI and three walks. His OPS in the series was 2.534, and he carried the Diamondbacks to a series win.
When the series ended, Walker had few words to explain what just happened.
Later that month, on July 29, the Diamondbacks authored their biggest comeback win of the year. Down 8-2 entering the bottom of the seventh against the Washington Nationals, they scored one in the seventh, one in the eighth and five in the ninth.
Carroll did not start the game — at that point, he was still sitting against most left-handed starters — but he came through with a pinch-hit, walk-off, two-run homer against Nats closer Kyle Finnegan in the ninth.
Another memorable moment came on Sept. 9, when Diamondbacks 1B/OF Pavin Smith launched three home runs in a nationally televised game. Two of those homers, including the three-run shot and grand slam, came against future Hall-of-Famer Justin Verlander.
3. Hope for a better 2025
The MLB offseason is only just getting under way, but the Diamondbacks seem poised to be aggressive with right-handers Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly set to become free agents after next season. The club has some money to spend — perhaps around $25 million — and several intriguing assets that could be made available in trades.
According to the ZiPS projections system, the Diamondbacks’ rotation is expected to bounce back in a huge way in 2025, with six starters projected for ERAs between 3.45 and 4.00. Their offense is expected to take a step back, but, depending on what the team does this offseason, that unit could still be well above-average next year.
Even beyond 2025, there are reasons for hope. In addition to the aforementioned Carroll and Marte, the Diamondbacks have a young core of position players that figure to play significant roles for years to come. Players such as Gabriel Moreno, Geraldo Perdomo, Brandon Pfaadt, Ryne Nelson and Jake McCarthy. The Diamondbacks also have one of baseball’s top prospects in Jordan Lawlar. He could emerge as one of the better up-the-middle players in the league in the coming years.
As you gather around the table with family and friends this Thanksgiving, know that, while things could certainly be better for your baseball team, they could be a lot worse, too.
Thank you to all of you who have read, listened and watched our Diamondbacks coverage here at PHNX throughout the year. You make it possible to do what we do every day. It means the world.
Now, go eat some turkey.
Top photo: Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports
