PHOENIX — Nolan Arenado, a 10-time Gold Glove winner at third base, has approached the Arizona Diamondbacks about playing first base if needed, Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro reported.
The idea is not to move Arenado off third base entirely but to give the team more flexibility. First base can also be less physically demanding, which could help the soon-to-be 36-year-old.
Arenado hit 30 home runs for the first time since 2022 last season, finishing with an .806 OPS and leading the D-backs in home runs and RBIs. He finished with two outs above average at third base and logged the sixth-most innings at the position in the majors.
First base was a problem spot all season. The D-backs finished last in MLB in OPS from first basemen at .636 after injuries hit early plans to use Carlos Santana and Pavin Smith there.
“It could help us, depending on what’s out there in the market for available players, by giving us more flexibility,” general manager Mike Hazen told MLB.com.
Arizona is expected to look at both first and third base options as it builds its 2027 roster.
Sources: Arizona Sports. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
Photo: Asanagi / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons.
