The Arizona Diamondbacks found their everyday third baseman in trading for Nolan Arenado from the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday, solving one question with the roster while stirring up another:
What does the trade mean for young, right-handed infielders Blaze Alexander and Jordan Lawlar?
General manager Mike Hazen was clear that the club will use their versatility to find playing time, both in the infield and outfield.
“ I see the group of younger players having the ability to impact this team in a number of different ways,” Hazen said. “I think there’s gonna be plenty of at-bats to go around in trying to round out where the lineup’s gonna be. I would say that, much like I always have, there’s a healthy amount of competition that’s going to exist, and performance and earning it is gonna matter.”
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The Arenado move strengthens the depth of Arizona’s position player core, and Alexander and Lawlar will have opportunities to prove they can handle a regular workload in the outfield. That’s the path to routine playing time and where the camp competition will be a particularly worthwhile watch.
Both Alexander and Lawlar have dabbled in the outfield, with the former playing 28 innings there late last season and the latter making his center field debut during winter ball in the Dominican Republic.
The infield, other than first base, is settled:
Second base: Ketel Marte Shortstop: Geraldo Perdomo Third base: Nolan Arenado First base: Pavin Smith is in line to face righties. Hazen said first base has not come up with Arenado, so there is no clear weak-side platoon. Tyler Locklear has to work back from elbow and shoulder injuries, while utility man Tim Tawa filled in admirably at the position late last year.There will be occasional opportunities at infield play when starters get a day off their feet.
The outfield presents more opportunity:
Right field: Corbin Carroll will play every day Center field: Alek Thomas may be a platoon candidate unless he performs better against southpaws. Left field: Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is working back from a torn ACL — although he posted on Instagram videos of him hitting and running the bases.That leaves left field, a potential right-handed platoon in center field and the designated hitter spot as options for Alexander and Lawlar, along with other young players like outfielder Jorge Barrosa and Tawa. Designated hitter could be a fluid spot, with backup catcher Adrian Del Castillo a factor against righties.
“There’s now another established major league player on the roster who’s gonna play, so that’s gonna have some impact on what’s available,” Hazen said. “There’s still plenty of opportunity available. It doesn’t seem like Lourdes is gonna be ready to break at the beginning of the year, so there’s gonna be opportunity out there, as well. I’m not 100% sure that we’re gonna continue to add. We’re gonna continue to look at the offense and the lineup, whether maybe first base, DH, but I’m not 100% certain that we’re gonna land down on any of those spots.
“That’s gonna create opportunity. … I’m trying to build out as much competition as I can.”
"He really solidifies our defense on the infield."
Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen breaks down why he made the trade for third baseman Nolan Arenado: pic.twitter.com/JEnsBAIZ4M
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) January 13, 2026
Alexander ran with the opportunity to be a super utility player last year, making highlight plays in the outfield while providing much more consistent defense at third base than he showed in 2024. At the plate, he caught fire in August, but overall he struck out a ton against right-handed pitching (34%) and fared way better against lefties (.780 OPS versus .672).
Lawlar had an odd season. He started hot in Triple-A Reno, did not hit in a limited role after getting called up in May, got sent down and returned to the big leagues for the back end of the season and hit well (.918 OPS in 41 plate appearances to end the year).
His third base defense was an issue, however, and it kept him out of the lineup. He played three games in the outfield in winter ball, and how he adjusts to a new position will be a camp storyline to watch.
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