The Arizona Diamondbacks received minimal offensive production from their first basemen and at the DH spot in 2026.
Before the season, the NL West club signed veteran Carlos Santana to anchor first base. However, he suffered a right adductor strain in April and was placed on the 60-day IL.
The D-Backs have a clear need at first base heading into next season.
They attempted to address the situation at the trade deadline but fell short in their pursuit of a left-handed hitter who ended up with the New York Yankees.
According to the New York Post’s Joel Sherman, Arizona targeted Luis Garcia Jr. at the deadline.
Garcia landed in the Bronx, with New York sending four pitchers (Yovanny Cruz, Jake Bird, Jack Cebert, Ben Grable) in return.
“Arizona continued to get limp production from first base and DH and just missed the playoffs. Those spots are still wide open going into 2027 and stand out as clear areas for the Snakes to improve before next season,” Darragh McDonald of MLB Trade Rumors wrote. “Pavin Smith, Adrian Del Castillo, Tyler Locklear, and Tim Tawa are still on the roster, but no one in that group looks like a clear answer.”
Garcia started hot for the Yankees, hitting a home run in his debut with the AL East club.
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However, he had a .593 OPS in September and had four hits in 16 plate appearances in the postseason.
Sherman adds that the Yankees could look to trade Garcia due to Ben Rice’s rapid offensive development.
Perhaps the Diamondbacks could have a second chance at acquiring the 26-year-old who hit 30 combined home runs with the Washington Nationals and Yankees.
