The Arizona Diamondbacks are facing a familiar problem at first base, and it's not looking good for their immediate future. With veteran Carlos Santana and Pavin Smith designated for assignment, the team is left with a position group that has produced historically woeful numbers. The current .549 OPS is the lowest in the major leagues since 1920, a time when baseball was transitioning out of the Dead Ball Era. This raises a deeper question: How can the Diamondbacks fix their first base woes?
One immediate solution is to play utility players Tim Tawa and Ildemaro Vargas, who have been given the bulk of playing time. Tawa, in particular, had a stellar performance at Dodger Stadium, with seven hits and seven RBIs in three games. However, his consistency at the big league level has been a concern. Vargas, on the other hand, was named National League Player of the Month in April but has since struggled, becoming one of the least successful hitters in baseball.
The trade deadline on August 3rd presents an opportunity for the Diamondbacks to address their first base need. With the American League playoff picture intense, early mock trade targets like Boston's Willson Contreras or Houston's Walker are less feasible. However, San Francisco's Luis Arraez, an All-Star left-handed hitter, is a popular name. He has first base experience and is competing for the batting title, although his breakout defensive season at second base is also notable. Cincinnati's Nathaniel Lowe, another left-handed bat, is also an option, as both players are on one-year deals.
The Diamondbacks could also consider players with controllable years remaining, such as Detroit's Spencer Torkelson. Torkelson has had a mixed bag of results since being drafted first overall out of Arizona State in 2020, with two 31-home run seasons but inconsistent performance. Additionally, the team has some positional versatility in their pipeline, with players like Jose Fernandez and Tyler Locklear, who have been getting consistent run in Triple-A.
One name to watch is Manuel Peña, a left-handed hitter who has been making waves in the minors. Peña has led all of baseball in home runs and has been promoted from Double-A to Triple-A, showcasing his versatility at first base, second base, and left field. While Peña is not currently on the 40-man roster, he will be Rule 5 Draft eligible next offseason, which could make him an attractive trade target.
In the end, the Diamondbacks have a few options to address their first base woes, but the key will be finding a consistent run producer who can help the team move in the right direction. With the trade deadline approaching, the team has a chance to make a significant impact and improve their chances of success in the second half of the season.
