MLB Insider Reveals Diamondbacks' Trade Deadline Plans

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MLB Insider Reveals Diamondbacks' Trade Deadline Plans

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Thomas Kelson | Last updated Jun 4, 2026 12:16 PM ET

The Arizona Diamondbacks have stayed firmly in the National League playoff race through the first 61 games of the season.

Arizona enters the day three games above .500 and just a half-game out of the final Wild Card spot.

Although it's only June, the MLB trade deadline will be here before you know it on August 3rd.

As long as Arizona remains in contention, the club is expected to be a buyer. MLB insider Ken Rosenthal revealed in his latest newsletter what the Diamondbacks could target.

Rosenthal said the industry belief is that Arizona will pursue a left-handed hitting first baseman/designated hitter.

The Diamondbacks are about as right-handed of a lineup as you can find. Outside of their switch-hitting stars in Ketel Marte and Geraldo Perdomo, Corbin Carroll and the recently activated Pavin Smith are the only left-handed hitting regulars.

The Diamondbacks also lost first baseman Carlos Santana to a right adductor strain. The switch-hitter is currently on the 60-day injured list with no timetable for his return.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are expected to pursue a left-handed 1B/DH at the trade deadline, per @Ken_Rosenthal

Luis Arraez, Lars Nootbaar, Zack McKinstry, TJ Rumfield and Troy Johnston are listed as potentially available options. pic.twitter.com/Hzn3d1ahjE
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) June 4, 2026

As for potential targets, Rosenthal named Luis Arraez, Lars Nootbaar, Zack McKinstry, TJ Rumfield, and Troy Johnston.

Arraez would be the most impactful bat of the group. This season with the San Francisco Giants, he is slashing .322/.364/.430 with a .794 OPS, two home runs, and 23 RBIs.

Arraez has primarily played second base this season, but he also has experience at first. Defense has never been his calling card, but few hitters in baseball make better contact or spray the ball around the field like he does.

Nootbaar has yet to make his season debut for the St. Louis Cardinals, although he is expected to be activated tomorrow. An outfielder by trade, Nootbaar has been a solid offensive player throughout his career. He owns a .242 career average and brings some power to the lineup as well.

McKinstry went from an All-Star season last year to one of the worst offensive seasons in baseball. He is hitting .158 with a .457 OPS and one home run this year. However, he played a major role in Detroit's playoff run last season, so the talent is still there. Perhaps a change of scenery is exactly what he needs.

Colorado Rockies first basemen TJ Rumfield and Troy Johnston are two names many fans may not know yet. Both have impressed through the early part of the season.

Rumfield is slashing .286/.359/.457 with an .816 OPS and eight home runs. Johnston is more of a contact hitter. He is batting .320/.377/.437 with an .814 OPS and two home runs. Both players could slide into an everyday role.

The Rockies have been reluctant to make trades in the past, but they are under new management after Paul DePodesta took over in the offseason.

As the season moves along, more names will become available as teams decide their direction ahead of Aug. 3. The Diamondbacks hope they can keep the good times rolling until then.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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