The Arizona Diamondbacks enjoyed one of the best platoons for the designated hitter role in 2024 with Joc Pederson and Randal Grichuk, but all of that is about to change, especially after the loss of Christian Walker.
In 2025, they will have to rebuild it from scratch with Grichuk still a free agent and Pederson agreeing to a two-year, $37 million deal with the Texas Rangers last week.
Pederson, 32, signed a one-year deal with the Diamondbacks last January. He hit .275 with 23 home runs and a .908 OPS as the left-handed half of the DH platoon. His 151 OPS+ served as the highest mark of his career. Coming off a strong season, he declined his end of the $14 million mutual option and cashed in with a very lucrative contract.
Former first-rounder could be the best replacement for Pederson
Joc Pederson's deal with the Texas Rangers: 2 years, $37 million, with an opt-out after the first year. A perfect fit for their lineup.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 23, 2024
With Pederson gone, the Diamondbacks will have to find someone to take on the left-handed part of the DH platoon. With the team trading for Josh Naylor to play first base, they could turn to an internal candidate in Pavin Smith.
Smith enjoyed a mini breakout at the end of the 2024 season, including a three-homer game against the Houston Astros. In 60 games, he hit .270 with nine home runs and a .908 OPS. The sample size is relatively small, but the underlying Statcast data suggest he may have turned a corner offensively. Smith had previously been a replacement-level player throughout his career, as he struggled to establish himself in the major leagues.
It's unlikely that Smith can replicate the production that Pederson gave in 2024, but he still has a chance to be an impact bat. In 135 plate appearances against right-handed pitching, Smith hit .282 with eight home runs and a .920 OPS. While he might have trouble repeating those numbers over the 450 plate appearances he'd likely receive, the team may be comfortable giving him a bigger role next season.
What's left for the Diamondbacks this offseason?
The upside for the Diamondbacks if Smith can handle the role is they can focus their budget towards their bullpen and completing the right-handed half of the DH platoon. They have some options to look at for the role, whether that's Grichuk, Austin Hays, or Lane Thomas. There are also some internal candidates who could serve in that role in a pinch such as Tim Tawa or Blaze Alexander.
The team should shift their focus towards landing a back end reliever. They were reportedly rebuffed when trying to trade for Ryan Helsley, as the St. Louis Cardinals have shown no interest in moving their closer. Other options on the free agent market include Kyle Finnegan, Kenley Jansen, David Robertson, and Kirby Yates. Adding a closer should help stabilize the back of Arizona's bullpen and allow the other relievers to settle into more comfortable roles.