Defensive Woes: Can the D-Backs Turn it Around?
The Arizona Diamondbacks' 2025 season was a letdown, and a significant factor was their lackluster defense. Imagine hearing the commentators, Steve Berthiaume and Bob Brenly, repeatedly highlighting defensive blunders that would frustrate any manager. This issue was evident early on and seemed to persist throughout the season, despite the manager's efforts.
But here's the catch: the defense wasn't abysmal. Depending on the metric, they ranked anywhere from 11th to 24th in the majors for defensive performance. However, this is a notable decline from the previous year when they were top-tier. The team's defense is now under the microscope as Spring Training begins, especially with a rotation that relies on defense rather than strikeouts.
Roster Adjustments
The trade-off between Josh Naylor and Christian Walker at first base was always going to impact the defense. Naylor is no slouch, ranking 13th in the league for defensive performance in 2024, but he doesn't match Walker's exceptional 13 OAA that year. Interestingly, Walker's performance dipped last year, bringing him on par with Naylor. With Naylor now in Seattle, the D-Backs acquired Carlos Santana, who offers an 8 OAA, a significant upgrade over Naylor. Santana's best offensive days might be behind him, but his defensive prowess is undeniable, especially considering his Gold Glove-caliber season just two years ago.
At third base, the team boasts Nolan Arenado, a defensive stalwart despite his declining offensive numbers. In contrast, Eugenio Suarez has been a liability defensively, leading the league in errors in two separate seasons. His offensive output can sometimes make up for it, but not when his batting average plummets. The front office's strategy is clear: sacrifice some offense for defensive stability, hoping that Geraldo Perdomo, Ketel Marte, and Corbin Carroll can fill the offensive void. It's a risky move, especially with Carroll's recent hamate injury, which could impact his performance.
Individual Player Development
While the roster changes should theoretically improve the defense, it might not be enough to reach the heights of the 2023-24 seasons. The team needs some of its younger players to step up and reach their full potential. Specifically, Perdomo and Gabriel Moreno could be key to this transformation. Perdomo had a breakout season last year, becoming a star, and while his defense was solid, ranking 16th among shortstops in defensive WAR, there's still room for growth. Moreno, on the other hand, has been a defensive powerhouse since joining from the Blue Jays, but his durability is a concern. He's only played over 100 games once in his career, and catchers who consistently surpass this mark are rare. Moreno's talent is undeniable, but injuries have plagued him, including shoulder inflammation, a thumb sprain, an adductor strain, and a finger fracture, all of which have limited his playing time. When healthy, he's a game-changer, but staying on the field has been his challenge.
And this is the part most fans are wondering: Can the D-Backs' defense truly bounce back? Will the roster changes and individual player development be enough to turn things around? It's a complex issue, and opinions may vary. What do you think? Is the team on the right track, or are there other moves they should consider?
