3 players for the Arizona Diamondbacks to target in free agency
Brian Anderson
The Diamondbacks know they need to add some right-handed bats to their lefty-leaning lineup, hence the trade with the Mariners for Kyle Lewis. The best spot for a potential right-handed addition is at third base where Josh Rojas failed to secure his long-term home there. Plus, while Emmanual Rivera had some impact games, he didn’t do near enough to prove he deserves third base to himself, especially with his defense. In comes the former Marlins third baseman Brian Anderson.
While Anderson has dealt with injuries over his last two seasons, limiting him to only 165 games in that span, the 29-year-old can still hit and could be a great change of scenery player. In fact, he’s done well at Chase Field with a .754 OPS and eight extra-base hits in 23 games played there. To further increase his appeal, Anderson is able to play left field, right field, second base, or first base in addition to third. Over his career, he’s hit .256/.341/.410/.750 with a 105 OPS+ and 57 home runs to 233 RBI.
Again, he’s dealt with injuries throughout the last two seasons, but back in 2018-20, he hit 42 home runs, 74 doubles, 169 RBI, and a .785 OPS during those three seasons. Clearly, the bat is still there and perhaps he’ll have better luck with his health with the Arizona Diamondbacks. It will likely only take a one-year deal but considering there are not many good options at third base in free agency, I’m not sure that the team can do better than Anderson. Perhaps a reunion with Brandon Drury, but Drury likely priced himself out of the Dbacks market or is a better second baseman than third baseman.
Andrew Chafin
One of the best moves the Arizona Diamondbacks could make is that Andrew Chafin returns home. Chafin pitched for the Dbacks from 2014 to 2020 and has been excellent since leaving the team. Last year with the Tigers, Chafin appeared in 64 games and pitched 57.1 innings with 67 strikeouts, 19 walks, and a 134 ERA+. He gave up only 48 hits and five home runs. Those numbers would make many Dbacks fans overwhelmed with excitement and joy since they are used to Mark Melancon and company blowing leads.
That’s one area in that Chafin excelled with three saves, 10 games finished, and 19 holds. Plus, he allowed only 14% of inherited runners to score. The left-handed reliever has unfinished business with the Diamondbacks and could help them finish off their mini rebuild/retool. He’s young enough at only 32 to have multiple impact years left. Chafin could form one of the best 1-2 left-handed punches out of the bullpen with Joe Mantiply, then the team would have at least two strong arms that can come out of the pen late in games.
Too often, especially down the stretch, Lovullo was forced to use the same reliable arms every day, which eventually caused downturns in their production. This happened with Mantiply, who struggled toward the end of the season. Adding Chafin would go a long way to keeping what good bullpen arms the team still has fresh throughout the season. Plus, it’s time for the Diamondbacks to spend some money on the bullpen beyond older closers.
One last note or name to keep an eye on is Tomoyuki Sugano, an impact starter/closer out of Japan. According to Dbacks insider John Gambadoro, Sugano’s a player that the Dbacks have an interest in signing. This would go a long way to helping the team’s starters or relievers.
Next. 3 players for the Colorado Rockies to target. dark
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a team on the rise with an excellent farm system, but that doesn’t mean they should sit on their hands this winter.