Right-Handed Bats the Diamondbacks Could Target in Trades

Due to a lack of right-handed bats in Free Agency, here's a list of names that the D-backs could go out and acquire

The Arizona Diamondbacks are in need of a quality right-hand bat that has some power. They are losing Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Tommy Pham to free agency with no in-house replacements capable of replacing their power, contact, or hit tools. Mike Hazen told Jack Sommers today  "There are some holes that have been created by some of the guys [leaving] the roster. We're going to have to figure out a way to replace some of that. It's probably going to look a little bit different in some cases." 

According to to Hazen there is overlap between the need for more right handed thump and positional needs. So it's possible the team may address their need for a DH or third baseman wrapped up in a right handed bat.  The pool of players that might be available via trade is somewhat limited but there are players that fit the high-power/offense-first approach. They are ranked in no particular order.

OF Austin Hays: Why would the Orioles sell an outfielder fresh off of an All-Star appearance? Because they are overloaded with quality outfielders like Cedric Mullins, Anthony Santander, Ryan McKenna, Heston Kjerstad, and more. They don't have enough spots for them all and there's been rumors that Baltimore will look to trade one of them for pitching help or other prospects. 

Hays is controllable through arbitration for the next two seasons. He's entering his age-28 season and is coming off a season in which he hit .275/.325/.444/.769 with a 114 OPS+. He had 54 extra base hits including 16 home runs and 67 RBI. He was worth 2.6 WAR. Hays would solidify left or right field, most likely left field. where he started 137 games last season. With Dave McKay's tutelage, Hays could take his defense to the next level and be a repeat All-Star in the National League alongside Corbin Carroll.  The cost to acquire Hays could be as high as Yu-Min Lin and another top-10 system prospect.

INF Brandon Drury:   A bat first option, Drury played mostly second base and first base for the Angels last year. He came up as a third baseman however and played 476 innings at the hot corner in 2022. Such a move would be about acquiring his impact bat. Last year, he was worth 2.1 Offensive WAR thanks to his 114 OPS+ and 30 doubles to go with his 26 home runs.  He hit .262/.306/.497/.803. 

That would be the kind of impactful offense that General Manager Mike Hazen is looking for, however he hasn't played more than 138 games in his career. Entering his age 31-season, he might be best suited for a platoon role at third base with Jace Peterson. Drury has been above-average at the plate since 2021 in which he has hit at a 118 OPS+ clip with an .806 OPS. He's owed 8.5 million dollars through next season which is cheap enough that the D-backs can afford it. He would cost less in prospects than anyone else on this list.  

INF Jonathan India: The Reds made it known that India is available in a trade due to how many strong infielders they have. The 2021 Rookie of the Year award winner could find himself in a new uniform soon. While he has solely played second base in the MLB, he did play 1,110+ innings at third base in the minor leagues. India would be under long-term control too as he doesn't reach free agency until 2027 and would go through arbitration with Arizona. 

India has dealt with the injury bug the last two seasons appearing in just 103 and 119 games in 2022 and 2023, respectively. However, he was worth 1.3 WAR this past season when he hit .244/.338/.407/.746 with a 100 OPS+. That was perfectly league-average. India had 23 doubles and 17 home runs, but isn't known for his power. He fits the D-backs approach of limiting strikeouts and getting on base. He struck out a below-average 20.6% of the time and walked an above-average 9.8% of the time. The D-backs would have the 26-year-old for his age 27-29 seasons. It could be a stretch to turn him into a third baseman, but the bat could play. 

OF Anthony Santander: The same reasons that the Orioles would trade Hays are the same ones they would trade Santander. In fact, Santander might be  more easily acquirable due to his hitting free agency next winter. He fits the D-backs preference of a power-hitter that can get on base and play in the outfield or DH. Plus, he's a switch hitter. Over his last three years, he had a 125 wRC+ vs LHP and 113 wRC+ vs RHP. 100 is league average. His power stroke would be perfect for the D-backs. He had 41 doubles and 28 home runs with 95 RBI. 23 of those home runs came as a right-handed hitter. He had a .797 OPS and a 121 OPS+. Santander was worth 3.0 WAR. 

Entering his age-29 season, the D-backs could reasonably expect for more of the same. As an arb-3 player with power he projects to make in the $12 million salary range in 2024. This might be the cleanest, cheapest, and best fit for the D-backs. He started 97 games in right field last year and could move Corbin Carroll to left field where he plays best at. It would cost the D-backs at least two-three top-30 prospects, but they likely would be able to keep Lin, Troy, Jones, and Lawlar.

OF Lane Thomas: The Diamondbacks would do well to acquire Thomas as he is another player that fits exactly what they are looking for. He plays quality defense in the outfield, mostly at right field, and has a lot of power and contact ability. The Nationals outfielder is under club control for the next two seasons. He's entering his age-28 season. Thomas was worth 3.3 WAR last season and hit .268/.315/.468/.783. That was in the middle of a poor Nationals lineup. With added lineup protection, it's likely his stats raise. He had 36 doubles, three triples, 28 home runs, 86 RBI, and 20 stolen bases in 156 games. 

He's an everyday player that is relatively cheap with an expected contract around $7 million in his second arbitration season. Thomas is a middle of the order bat who would add home run power and slug to a contact-oriented team. The Diamondbacks would be forced to deal multiple strong prospects and potentially Lin, but should be able to keep their top three in Troy, Jones, and Lawlar.

Right-Handed Bats the Diamondbacks Could Target in Free Agency

Starting Pitchers the Diamondbacks Could Target in Trades