Jason Kubel prior to the game against the San Diego Padres. IMAGE: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

It’s no secret that the Diamondbacks are struggling to score runs. Some of that can be chalked up to their inability to hit with runners in scoring position, but there’s also another culprit: they’re struggling mightily against left-handed pitching.

With Jason Kubel, Gerardo Parra, Didi Gregorius, Miguel Montero, Eric Chavez and Eric Hinske all being left-handed batters, teams have been able to neutralize the Diamondbacks when they put a lefty-starter on the mound. With Adam Eaton set to arrive in Phoenix in the near future and AJ Pollock likely headed back to AAA, that will add another left-handed hitter to the lineup at the cost of a right-handed one.

Against righties, the Diamondbacks rank ninth in the majors with a .754 OPS. Against lefties, they rank 24^th with a .669 OPS. These splits are problematic and will continue to be so unless the team can make some adjustments. Currently, Kubel (.452), Chavez (.333), Hinske (.600), Montero (.657) and Parra (.658) are all struggling against lefties, showing typical platoon splits. Chavez and Hinske are primarily bench bats that face right-handed pitching late in games, but Kubel, Montero and Parra are expected to drive the offense. Gregorius has hit lefties well in his short time with Arizona, but showed some splits in the minors.

The biggest problem lies in the fact that the team doesn’t have a right-handed compliment to Jason Kubel. His only real value to the team is with his bat since his defense rates so poorly. When lefties take the mound, Kubel is effectively neutralized. Adding Adam Eaton into the lineup may soon be able to fix that defensive issue, but it likely won’t help much in terms of offense against left-handed pitching.

Look for the team to perhaps make a move in the near future to acquire a right-handed outfielder or bench bat with power that they feel more comfortable with than Pollock. Eric Hinske isn’t being used much and could be flipped or the team could put together a package around Pollock to obtain a player more to their liking. Selling high on Pollock might be a good idea and while he’s certainly a functional player, he may not be what the organization needs right now.

This team is in a win-now position and may need to do something to remedy this problem sooner rather than later. Triple-slaching .224/.303/.335 against lefties isn’t going to get it done down the line. With starting pitchers like Clayton Kershaw, Madison Bumgarner, Barry Zito, Hyun-Jin Ryu and others likely playing critical roles against the Diamondbacks down the stretch, a strong lineup against lefties is going to be critical. The Dodgers won’t stay in last place forever and the Giants aren’t going anywhere, so improvements must be made. While sample size and slow starts can account for some of the issues, a roster change may be the best solution.

Eric Hinske will be in his fifth uniform in five years Image: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Why did the Diamondbacks sign Hinkse? The team just signed Mark Teahen to a minor league deal, a similar player does not have the pedigree of Hinske, but who essentially would fill the same role.  Granted, a million dollars isn’t a heck of a lot of money but it could have been towards something a little more useful (like a certain shortstop who just re-upped with the San Francisco Giants)?  I know Marco Scutaro‘s contract may have been a little much for the team but at less than $7 million per year, it is hardly budget-busting.  If Scutaro was too deemed too pricey, there is still Japanese import Hiroyuki Nakajima.  He is still on the team’s radar, but now they have less cash to go after him.

I am not criticizing Eric Hinske, the player.  I just don’t think this deal was a wise one considering they already have a similar player on the roster and they need as much money as possible to go after a shortstop if they do not acquire one via trade.  If Hinske parks one in his first D’Back at-bat, I reserve the right to rescind this post.

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Eric Hinske has bounced around teams but will now call Arizona his home.

Why would the Diamondbacks sign Eric Hinske? I feel the former American League rookie of the year (2002-Toronto) has been overlooked by baseball media over the years due to the fact that he hasn’t been the focal point of any team. Whether it was in Atlanta or Pittsburgh, Hinske has performed the role that has been asked of him.  I’m not saying that Eric Hinske is a superstar in this league, but I certainly think that he is a player, that when his role is established, can perform.

Kevin Towers has mentioned that the D’Backs need a bat off the bench for late game situations. This role sounds like it was made for Hinske.  Hinske can also play a part as a designated hitter during inter-league play when we are in New York, Tampa, Texas and Boston this year.

People on the opposite end of the “Hinske spectrum” will most likely bring up his less than stellar .236 BA over the last few seasons in Atlanta, but this is partially due to dramatically decreased plate appearances over the three year span. The point to be made is that, if Arizona gives Hinske a clearly defined role with this team, this year can be an effective one for the 35-year old. Don’t expect and excess amount of home runs off of the “Uptown” sign in right field, but do expect to see Hinske on base more often than not.

A major aspect that has been brushed over is the fact that Hinske is actually a fairly versatile defensive player. Initially, when starting his career, Hinske spent most his time at third base, but has transformed primarily into a first baseman who can also play both corner outfield spots. In nearly 2,100 innings for Hinske in the outfield, he has only committed three errors, which is remarkable.

I understand that Eric Hinske is no longer the player he was in the beginning of his career, but by statistics and just simply watching him play over the years, it can be concluded that the veteran is not as ineffective as people may deem him to be. Spring Training is going to be important for Hinske in becoming familiar with this team, coaching staff and truly grasping his role as a Diamondback.