When the Winter Meetings began back earlier in December, rumors started to emerge that, the Diamondbacks might be able to retain either of their two stars. Joc Pederson and Christian Walker. All though nothing was fully confirmed, it gave fans hope and something to look forward to. But then, rumors emerged of Christian Walker signing with the Astros, then just days later. Joc Pederson and the Texas Rangers agreed to a deal, to bring him to Texas. Now the Arizona Diamondbacks need to figure out something before it gets too late. Who will be the DH on Opening Day. First off we will break down the in club options that the Diamondbacks can potentially use, then we will see who is available on the market, as well as a stat breakdown and see if we can find Joc Pederson’s replacement.

Joc Pederson 2024 Stats: 2.9 WAR, 367 AB, 101 H, 23 HR, .275 BA, 62 R, 64 RBI, 7 SB, .393 OBP, .515 SLG, .908 OPS

Joc Pederson Career Stats: 15.1 WAR, 3687 AB, 887 H, 209 HR, .241 BA, 578 R, 549 RBI, 29 SB, .342 OBP, .469 SLG, .811 OPS

Joc Pederson is 32 years old and has 11 years in the league.

First off, we have Pavin Smith. This one is obvious, as it seemed like he’d be the starting first baseman on Opening Day. Then the Diamondbacks cancelled out any chance of that happening, with the trade of Josh Naylor. But with the slow offseason that the Diamondbacks have been having. Pavin Smith could be the simple choice. Now, depending on how Pavin’s arbitration talks go, he could be a relatively cheap answer, to the Diamondbacks question. Pavin has been a member of the Diamondbacks for the past five seasons. Since 2020, Smith has been to the plate 1,252 times and has a batting average of .244 on his career. Pavin Smith played a career high 145 games back in 2021 and ended the year with a .267 average. Since then, he hasn’t played more than 75 games. Pavin Smith does tend to bat a bit better against RHP than LHP, so if the D-backs want a solid answer to their lineup, Pavin Smith could be their man.

Another in club option that the Diamondbacks can use, is Jordan Lawlar. Lawlar has had his fair share of injuries the past couple of years. But i think it’s time to start giving Jordan Lawlar the chance to see some more MLB at-bats, slowly bringing him back to full baseball duties, and see how his hamstring can hold up. But if the Diamondbacks are finally ready to give their #1 ranked prospect per MLB.com, then now could be the perfect opportunity. Now as i said, this could be more of a risk, with his small sample size of AB’s at the MLB level, but his MILB stats do look promising. Lawlar is also currently playing with the Tigres del Licey, getting quality AB’s, from some former MLB pitchers.

Bringing Lawlar to the MLB lineup only as a DH, will definitely open questions about putting him at the SS position. As Perdomo has been impressing at the SS position, but it will be interesting to see how the Diamondbacks wanna play this. Will they explore the trade market with Perdomo to bring in Lawlar for the 2025 season. That’s a question for another story, but regardless Jordan Lawlar could be a solid in club option for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The final in club option that i have thought of, is Blaze Alexander. Alexander appeared in 61 games for the Arizona Diamondbacks and batted a .247, with 21 RBI’s, 41 hits and 3 home runs. One of those home runs was a 343’ grand slam to right field, to put the Diamondbacks up 15-1 in the top of the 8th. Blaze Alexander played a limited season with the MLB team, but he impressed lots of fans. Now this option is the same reasons for Lawlar, giving Blaze the opportunity to see more pitches at the MLB level. Blaze Alexander had 84 AB’s against LHP and was able to put the ball into play 22 times, earning him a batting average of .297.

Blaze Alexander plays SS and 2B, so if the Diamondbacks decide they want Alexander in the DH and bench position, for Marte’s and Perdomo’s rest days, it could be crucial to Alexander’s progress in the MLB, and his development through the Arizona Diamondbacks farm system.

Now that most of all the in club options that i would consider in the DH position have been talked about. Let’s talk about some potential options that the Diamondbacks can shop for or trade for during this offseason.

SIGN J.D MARTINEZ

To some, this move may seem risky, due to his age, but he’s there to hit. Looking back at Martinez’s stats, he had one of his best seasons here in Arizona. With his most memorable performance being a 3 HR performance night at Dodger Stadium, in his first game as a Diamondback.

Now Martinez did have an off year in 2024, batting a .235, only bringing in 69 RBI’s in 120 games played. But, no matter if it’s a leftie or a rightie, Martinez is solid against both of them. Now lots of major projections have him having about the same season he did last year in 2024.

It’s a risk i’d be willing to take, and with the possible huge pay cut that Martinez could possibly be willing to take due to his age. This move could be beneficial to the Diamondbacks. Martinez brings in that veteran presence in the locker room.

Back in 2023, the Diamondbacks brought in Tommy Pham. Multiple Diamondbacks said that they loved the presence Pham brought to the locker room and what he had been able to teach them. Then, the Diamondbacks went all the way to the World Series. I’m not saying bringing Martinez to Arizona would immediately punch the ticket to the World Series. But having someone who’s been in the league for 14 years, they’ve seen a lot, and would be able to teach our very young hitters, a couple of things during the 162 game season.

The free agency market for a straight DH, isn’t as strong as it was when the free agency period began. But there are still some options that the Diamondbacks can trade for. The option i have in mind, may have a very little chance of happening but, let’s try to break down a trade.

Brent Rooker – Athletics

Now it may sound crazy, why would the A’s part ways with their top hitter in 2024. Well it’s been known that the A’s don’t like to spend much money, and as the years go on, he may start to cost more than the A’s would like. Brent Rooker is currently in his first year of Arbitration, and after his breakout season in 2024. The question is, how much will he cost, and how much do the Athletics think he’s worth?

Personally, this move makes sense for the Diamondbacks to have a day-to-day DH man, and for half the cost that Joc Pederson would have costed. The Arizona Diamondbacks can always send over a man like Geraldo Perdomo and potentially a draft pick, if Perdomo isn’t enough. The reason i say Perdomo, is with this move, it does essentially two things.

First, it opens up the door for the Arizona Diamondbacks to lock down a solid DH for years to come, the Diamondbacks can trade for Rooker, and offer him a extension for 3 years, which would lock him down till he’s 33. Having a versatile bat like Rooker, in an explosive lineup including Marte, Carroll and Gurriel Jr. I think Rooker would fit right just in, and replace Joc Pederson as the DH.

Second, it finally opens up the door for Jordan Lawlar. As mentioned before in this story, Lawlar seems like he is ready to go at the MLB level, and if the Diamondbacks are ready to risk putting their number 1 ranked prospect, Jordan lawlar at SS on Opening Day. Then trading away, Perdomo, this could all work out for the Diamondbacks.

With the losses of Walker and Pederson, this frees up tons of money that the Diamondbacks can use. Now as mentioned, the market isn’t as strong as it was, but this does open up talks about Gallen receiving an extension this season. Or even bringing a player here in a trade, for a couple of prospects.

If you’re a Diamondbacks fan, don’t be worried about the lack of news, or lack of rumors from the team. We traded for Joey Naylor with close to no rumors posted on the internet.