The Diamondbacks may not be leading the NL West, but they’re very much in the mix. Arizona is sitting in one of the NL Wild Card spots, tied with the Philadelphia Phillies, and that position has put the club squarely in buyer territory as the MLB trade deadline approaches.
The problem is pretty clear: the Diamondbacks need help in two places, and first base is one of the biggest. Their bullpen closer situation is also a major need, but the first-base production has been rough enough to stand out on its own.
That’s why Katie Woo, Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic connected Arizona to Washington Nationals left-handed slugger Luis Garcia Jr., calling him their “perfect” trade deadline target.
“The Washington Nationals' Luis Garcia Jr. would appear a perfect fit for the Arizona Diamondbacks, whose .599 OPS at first base entering Thursday was the worst in the majors by nearly 50 points, behind the New York Mets,” Rosenthal, Sammon and Woo write.
Garcia, 26, has put together a big season for Washington. He’s under club control through 2027 and has produced 2.4 bWAR in 350 at-bats over 102 games.
His line includes 100 hits, 19 doubles, 23 home runs, five triples, 76 RBIs and a .286 batting average. His .566 slugging percentage leads the NL.
That kind of production would look awfully good in Arizona. The Diamondbacks’ first basemen have combined for a .599 OPS this season, while Garcia’s .882 OPS would represent a massive jump of nearly .300 points.
Of course, the fit on paper doesn’t make the deal easy. The Nationals are open to listening on just about anyone, but landing Garcia would cost the Diamondbacks a lot.
Still, if Arizona believes this group can make a real postseason push and challenge the Los Angeles Dodgers, then going big for Garcia - while also addressing the closer spot - would make sense. In that scenario, a blockbuster would be worth the price.
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Diamondbacks Linked To Familiar Outfield Fix As Deadline Pressure Builds
As the deadline approaches, Torontos place in the standings is nudging the Blue Jays toward a sell-off, and one of the names drawing interest is a player Arizona knows well. Daulton Varsho spent the first three seasons of his career with the Diamondbacks, and his blend of center-field defense and positional versatility makes him easy to picture in a club still chasing a wild-card spot.
Arizonas interest makes sense on paper because center field has been unsettled, with four different players starting there in July as the team searches for a steadier answer. Varshos glove would fit the need, but the bat has been a different story this season, leaving any reunion to hinge on how much the Diamondbacks value defense over the offensive questions that come with it. [Read more 🡒]