MLB Rumors 2 More Diamondbacks Players Become Trade Candidates

Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Alek Thomas celebrates during 2025 game.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are back in the rumor mill, and this time the chatter is parked squarely in center field.

According to multiple reports, Diamondbacks trade rumors now center on the idea that either Jake McCarthy or Alek Thomas will be moved this offseason, as the front office looks to tweak the roster, trim a bit of payroll, and reshape the outfield mix around Corbin Carroll.

Diamondbacks trade rumors around McCarthy and Thomas

Local reporting from Nick Piecoro and national outlets paints a pretty clear picture of where things stand. Both McCarthy and Thomas are entering arbitration for the first time and project in the neighborhood of two million dollars, which is not massive money but is enough that the Diamondbacks see a chance to save over one million by turning the job over to a cheaper option.

MLB dot com's Mark Feinsand put together "1 potential trade candidate for every team."

The Arizona Diamondbacks candidate:

OF Jake McCarthy pic.twitter.com/3CocGJj8Zk
— SleeperDiamondbacks (@SleeperDbacks) November 30, 2025

McCarthy has generally brought the more dangerous bat, flashing a strong 2024 season before crashing back to a .204/.247/.345 line in 2025. Thomas owns a .234/.277/.362 career slash and a 74 wRC+, but he has long been viewed as the better defender in center field, even if his metrics slipped to neutral territory in 2025.

Neither has seized the everyday role, and neither carries major trade value on his own, which is why Arizona is at least listening.

“Alek Thomas takes the ride of his life.”
pic.twitter.com/39BrSnUNa1 https://t.co/N6fQU1D1bC
— Zona (@AZSportsZone) November 25, 2025

The reason the Diamondbacks can even consider this path is their internal depth chart. Jorge Barrosa, Tim Tawa and Blaze Alexander are all in the mix, and former top prospect Jordan Lawlar has started to log reps in center field during winter ball after being blocked at shortstop.

The Diamondbacks could package one of McCarthy and Thomas with prospects to add pitching depth or a smaller upgrade elsewhere, or they could simply flip one for a modest return while opening a path for Barrosa, Tawa or Lawlar to grab real playing time.

Photo Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images