Position Player Targets To Bolster the D-backs’ Lineup

While Paul Goldschmidt is up there in years at 38, the franchise legend coming back home to cement his legacy and ensure his future number retirement ceremony would make fans quite happy. However, at this point in his career, Goldschmidt is a platoon player. He struggled against right-handed pitching mightily in 2025.

Still, he decimated left-handers to a .336 average. It was good for a 169 wRC+ and .981 OPS. That’s in contrast to his showing against right-handers; he hit just .247, had an OPS of .619, and a wRC+ of 74.

While the glove is still good, it’s clear that he needs to only face lefties for the most part, which means he’s set for a platoon future at first or at DH. Arizona could use him, but is he the best fit? It should be noted that Arizona has had an interest in Goldschmidt for the past couple of offseasons.

Trade Candidate: Ryan Mountcastle (Baltimore Orioles)

Ryan Mountcastle recently signed a new deal with the Orioles, avoiding arbitration for 2026 and giving Baltimore a club option for his services in 2027. Still, he should be available to acquire. After all, he’s a first baseman/DH, and Baltimore now has Pete Alonso, Samuel Basallo, and Coby Mayo who can occupy those spots.

So, Mountcastle is a superfluous player that Baltimore could acquire future assets for, and he can be a full-time first baseman/DH in partnership with Pavin Smith. Ideally, this would be a move to set up Smith at DH, while Mountcastle and his better defense fit in at first.

The veteran had an injury-plagued 2025 season in which everything went wrong for him. However, prior to 2025, Mountcastle had been a consistently above-average hitter. He’s a solid right-handed bat that could hit for more power away from Camden Yards. He’s far better against lefties, but can hold his own against right-handers.

Free Agents: Harrison Bader and Austin Hays

Harrison Bader would solidify the center field position for the Diamondbacks. While anything you get with the bat is only a bonus, as it’s so inconsistent, his defense and speed alone would raise Arizona’s floor and give them a full-time center fielder.

Bader struck out a bit too much in 2025 and relied a lot on a .359 BABIP, but he still had a 122 wRC+ to go with 17 home runs and 24 doubles. Even if those numbers go down a bit and he falls back to around league-average offense, with his defense, he improves Arizona’s ability to win quite a bit.

As for Austin Hays, he’s a left fielder or DH at this point in his career. What he does very well and gets him to above-average numbers is crushing lefties. Last year, he had a .949 OPS and 155 wRC+ against them. While he had an 88 wRC+ against right-handers, Hays would fit in as a part-time slugger against lefties in the Randal Grichuk role for Arizona.

Free Agent: Eugenio Suárez

Admittedly, Eugenio Suárez might be out of the D-backs’ price range after slugging 49 bombs in 2025. However, the fan favorite loved his time in Arizona and could be their full-time first baseman/DH if he is willing to consider a position change.

Arizona fans know what they can get out of Suárez. He’s a high-strikeout, low-OBP, high-slug player who hits for a low average but provides veteran leadership and great vibes in the clubhouse. He would give Arizona a power bat in the second half of the lineup that could change games with one swing.

Free Agents: Rhys Hoskins and Miguel Andujar

Rhys Hoskins could be yet another full-time player for Arizona serving at first or DH, splitting the positions with Smith. Hoskins dealt with injuries this past season, but he did have 12 homers in 90 games. It was good enough for a 109 wRC+.

Hoskins is the type of player who hits well against both arms. He strikes out a tad much, but does generally post a walk rate over 10% and provides a power boost in the vein of Suárez, just not to the same extent.

Miguel Andujar had a career season in 2025, a true standout year. While it’s a mystery if he can repeat it, there’s a decent shot he could find good fortune with Arizona. Andujar could take over left field until Gurriel comes back and then fill the Grichuk role, playing part-time at DH and left field against lefties. That’s where he thrives.

Against lefties, Andujar had a .986 OPS and 171 wRC+ in 2025. He obliterated them and could help the Diamondbacks massively in an area where they struggled. He holds his own against right-handers as well, with an 108 wRC+ in 2025.

Free Agent: Luis Arraez

Luis Arraez has been a thorn in Arizona’s heel for years since he joined the San Diego Padres. His incessant ability to avoid striking out, coupled with the ability to find open spots of grass, has tormented the D-backs.

Arraez hits for a sky-high average and doesn’t strike out. He is a left-handed bat that can DH as well as play first base, albeit not very well. He isn’t a perfect fit, but he could be a legit option at DH for this team and help them get more hits and lower their strikeout rate.

Trade Candidate: Brendan Donovan ( St. Louis Cardinals)

This one might be a surprise, but Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that Arizona had indeed inquired about acquiring Brendan Donovan. Perhaps that was in preparation for a Ketel Marte trade, but the All-Star super utility player fits Arizona extremely well even with Marte on the roster.

Donovan mainly plays second base but can play left field or most spots on the infield. It wouldn’t be a hard sell to have him temporarily learn first base or even have him take left field full-time until Gurriel returns. Plus, Marte will need days off, and Donovan could shift to second during those days.

Additionally, Donovan is a left-handed bat that hardly strikes out and performs in the clutch. He’s had above a 115 wRC+ in each of his four MLB seasons. While it would be a costly trade, Donovan would be a great fit for Arizona in numerous ways that would improve the team’s defense and offense.

More Position Player Fits for the Diamondbacks

Veteran Carlos Santana would be a capable player to bring in to man first base. The same is true for Nathaniel Lowe, who could also cover some DH.

The D-backs know what they could get out of Randal Grichuk; he’s been a perfect fit the last two seasons, so they could go that route again. The team could also try to acquire Triston Casas from Boston, who doesn’t have a spot in the Red Sox’s lineup now. He would be a low-floor, high-ceiling bet.

Lastly, perhaps they could pry Alec Burleson out of St. Louis. He would be another long-term play for first base that could take over the everyday job and provide some left-handed power.

Regardless of who it is, the Arizona Diamondbacks are in need of another bat or two to add to their lineup. There are plenty of good options still available, both in free agency and on the trade market, that would not raise their payroll too much. Some are better fits than others, but they all would help in some manner. Only time will tell who they get.