The Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies have made a decisive move ahead of the 2026 MLB season, swapping outfielder Jake McCarthy for right-handed pitching prospect Josh Grosz in a trade finalized on January 10, 2026. With both teams looking to address specific roster needs, this transaction could have ripple effects throughout the National League West as spring training draws near.
For the Diamondbacks, the writing had been on the wall for some time. Reports throughout the offseason suggested that either Jake McCarthy or Alek Thomas would be moved, with the franchise carrying a surplus of left-handed outfielders. Ultimately, it was McCarthy, a speedy and versatile 28-year-old, who was sent packing. As Arizona’s general manager Mike Hazen put it, “With the out-of-options guys we have coming into camp, the amount of outfielders we have, we felt like this was a spot of getting value for Jake.”
McCarthy’s tenure in Arizona was marked by flashes of brilliance mixed with bouts of inconsistency. Drafted No. 39 overall out of the University of Virginia in the 2018 MLB Draft, he quickly established himself as a key contributor with a unique blend of speed and defensive prowess. Over five big-league seasons, McCarthy slashed .260/.324/.381 with 24 home runs, 83 stolen bases, 46 doubles, 20 triples, and 139 RBIs. His 83 steals rank seventh in Diamondbacks franchise history, and he’s one of only three players in team history to post three 23-steal seasons, joining Tony Womack and Corbin Carroll in that exclusive club.
Yet, McCarthy’s career with the D-backs was anything but linear. He burst onto the scene in 2022, finishing fourth in National League Rookie of the Year voting thanks to a .283/.342/.427 line with eight home runs and 23 steals in 99 games. His 2024 campaign was similarly strong, as he hit .285/.349/.400 with eight home runs, 25 steals, and was named a Gold Glove finalist. But the 2025 season proved challenging. McCarthy began the year in an 0-for-24 slump, leading to a demotion to Triple-A Reno on April 19. He eventually worked his way back, recalled on June 24, and finished the season with a .204 average, four home runs, and 20 RBIs in the majors, plus a .314 mark in 49 Triple-A games. His sprint speed, however, remained elite—29.9 feet per second, tied for fifth-fastest in MLB among players with at least 200 plate appearances, according to Statcast.
Arizona’s decision to move on from McCarthy was also influenced by roster logistics. He is out of minor league options and, after agreeing to a one-year, $1.525 million contract to avoid arbitration, has two more arbitration-eligible seasons remaining before free agency. The trade clears a spot on the Diamondbacks’ 40-man roster, as Grosz is not currently on it. Hazen emphasized the importance of this flexibility, stating, “Maintaining a flexible 40-man roster was a big part of the deal.”
So what are the Diamondbacks getting in return? Josh Grosz, a 23-year-old right-hander, was drafted by the New York Yankees in 2023 out of East Carolina and later traded to Colorado in 2025 as part of the deal for third baseman Ryan McMahon. Grosz spent the 2025 season bouncing between High-A affiliates for both the Yankees and Rockies, compiling a combined 5-14 record with a 4.67 ERA in 23 games (22 starts), 135 strikeouts, and 55 walks over 125.1 innings. While his seven starts for High-A Spokane following the midseason trade to Colorado resulted in a 5.87 ERA, Grosz’s fastball sits in the mid-90s and has touched 97 mph. He also features a change-up, slider, and curveball in his arsenal. According to MLB Pipeline, Grosz was ranked as the No. 20 prospect in Colorado’s farm system.
Grosz is generally projected as a back-of-the-rotation starter or a multi-inning reliever, with his fastball currently his only above-average pitch. He mixes an upright delivery with a low three-quarters arm slot, and while his control and command are considered fringy, the Diamondbacks see potential for development. Hazen noted, “We’re going to try to look at his arsenal and find ways to maximize it as best we can. These are some of the things that, bringing (assistant general manager) Jeremy Bleich on board, these are the types of bets that I’m looking to take in terms of giving him guys to kind of work with and build with.”
For the Rockies, the acquisition of McCarthy addresses a desire to take advantage of the expansive outfield gaps at Coors Field under manager Warren Schaeffer and the new front office. McCarthy’s versatility—he can play all three outfield positions—and elite speed make him a tantalizing addition. The Rockies’ outfield was already crowded, with Brenton Doyle, Jordan Beck, Mickey Moniak, Tyler Freeman, Yanquiel Fernández, Zac Veen, Sterlin Thompson, and Cole Carrigg all vying for playing time. The addition of McCarthy pushes the Rockies’ 40-man roster to its limit and could signal further roster moves before Opening Day, especially with a spot needing to be cleared for right-hander Michael Lorenzen’s pending contract and the club seeking another starter and a multiposition infielder.
McCarthy’s arrival might also set the stage for additional trades or waivers involving Colorado’s surplus of outfielders. As the Denver Post suggested, “the McCarthy trade could be a set-up move to get the Rockies in position to trade another one of their current outfielders, perhaps in exchange for pitching sometime before the start of the regular season.” Alternatively, a spring training waiver could free up a roster spot for a different position.
The trade leaves both clubs with plenty of questions to answer as the new season approaches. For Arizona, the outfield picture beyond All-Star Corbin Carroll is murky, with Lourdes Gurriel Jr. recovering from ACL surgery and a mix of Alek Thomas, Jorge Barrosa, Tim Tawa, Blaze Alexander, and Jordan Lawlar all candidates for expanded roles. Lawlar, notably, made his center field debut in the Dominican Winter League this offseason. The D-backs still face pressing needs in the bullpen, at first base, and in starting pitching depth as they attempt to build on recent successes.
Meanwhile, Colorado’s front office will have to sort through a crowded outfield and determine how best to leverage McCarthy’s skill set. Given his ability to cover ground and create havoc on the basepaths, there’s optimism that a change of scenery—and the hitter-friendly environment of Coors Field—could help McCarthy rediscover his form from 2022 and 2024. According to MLB.com, “Per Statcast, McCarthy ranks in the 99th percentile in sprint speed, and although he ranks low in hard-hit rate (26.6 percent), he has a career K rate of just 19.2 percent.”
As the dust settles, one thing is clear: both the Diamondbacks and Rockies are betting on upside. Arizona hopes Grosz can blossom into a reliable arm, while Colorado is banking on McCarthy’s speed and versatility making a difference in the outfield. With spring training just around the corner, the NL West will be watching closely to see how these roster gambles play out.
