Arizona’s Two-Week Window to Fix First Base Before It Costs Them October

The Arizona Diamondbacks have a first base problem. It’s not a small problem. It’s the kind of problem that gets you eliminated from playoff contention before you even get a chance to prove yourself in October.

Pavin Smith got sent down. Carlos Santana got cut. Right now, Ildemaro Vargas and Tim Tawa are splitting time at the position. That’s not a threat. That’s a placeholder. And with the trade deadline coming on August 3 at 6 p.m. ET, general manager Mike Hazen has about two weeks to decide if this team is for real or just pretending.

The Diamondbacks sit at 49-47. Second place in the NL West sounds nice until you remember the Dodgers are 11.5 games ahead. But Arizona is only 2.5 games out of a Wild Card spot. That’s close enough to be dangerous. Close enough to justify buying. Hazen knows it. He said as much on MLB Network Radio, talking about needing more thump in the lineup and more left-handed power.

That’s code for first base. And the best option available might be Nathaniel Lowe.

Lowe is a left-handed hitter currently playing for the Reds. He’s got gap power, gets on base, and has controllable years left on his deal. He’s not a rental. He’s not a lottery ticket. He’s a proven run producer who would walk into Arizona’s lineup and immediately be the best first baseman they’ve had all season.

Another name floating around is Isaac Paredes from the Astros. He’s a switch-hitter with pop. Both guys would fix what’s broken. But Hazen can’t stop at one upgrade.

The bullpen needs help too. Kevin Ginkel, Juan Morillo, A.J. Puk, Yilber Garcia, and Paul Sewald are a solid group, but solid doesn’t win in October. One injury and that unit goes from reliable to vulnerable. The trade market has options. Luke Weaver and A.J. Minter from the Mets are reportedly available. Ryan Helsley from the Orioles would be a dream addition, but might cost too much. John Schreiber from the Royals or Riley O’Brien from the Cardinals could be smarter, cheaper fits that don’t strip the farm system.

Here’s the complicating factor. Zac Gallen went on the 15-day IL on July 12 with right elbow inflammation. Losing your ace changes things. The Diamondbacks had no intention of adding a starter at the deadline, but that calculus might shift. Eduardo Rodriguez (8-3, 2.29 ERA) and Michael Soroka (8-3, 3.07 ERA) have been excellent, but October depth matters. And the schedule coming out of the All-Star break is brutal. Cardinals, A’s, Nationals, Pirates, Guardians. If Arizona goes 5-5 or better in that stretch and stays in Wild Card range, expect Hazen to make moves.

If they stumble, the whole thing flips. Gallen becomes a trade chip once he’s healthy. Maybe Rodriguez too. The window is open but it’s not going to stay open forever. Hazen has 18 days to figure out which way this thing is headed.