Arizona Diamondbacks add veteran bench options, continue search for hitter
While they continue their search for another proven bat, the Arizona Diamondbacks added a pair of veteran position players on minor league deals, bringing in catcher Tucker Barnhart and shortstop Kevin Newman to compete during spring training for jobs on the Opening Day roster.
Barnhart, who turns 33 on Sunday, is a two-time Gold Glove-winning catcher, but his offensive production has dipped over the past two seasons. Last year, he hit just .202/.285/.257 with the Chicago Cubs.
But he is considered a good defender and could provide experience and leadership off the bench. He will compete with Jose Herrera to be the backup to everyday catcher Gabriel Moreno.
“When we traded Seby (Zavala), we said that was going to be an area of focus for us,” Diamondbacks General Manager Mike Hazen said, referring to the deal that sent Zavala to Seattle as part of the Eugenio Suarez trade. “I don’t know if we’re done in that area. But from a competition standpoint, obviously, Tucker is a good player and has had good seasons back behind the plate.”
If Barnhart makes the team, the Diamondbacks would only have to pay him the league minimum. The Cubs, who cut ties with Barnhart in August, are paying him $3.25 million as part of a deal he signed prior to last season. Barnhart’s agreement with the Diamondbacks includes an opt-out at the end of spring training.
Newman, 30, adds depth to the shortstop position and has swung the bat well against left-handed pitching in recent years. That could make for a good pairing with shortstop Geraldo Perdomo, though the Diamondbacks seem committed to giving Perdomo more opportunities to start against lefties than they did last year.
Should he make the team, Newman will get a base salary of $1.75 million with a chance to earn another $1.4 million in bonuses based on plate appearances. He has opt-outs at the end of spring training and on June 15.
Newman will be competing with prospects Jordan Lawlar and Blaze Alexander. Hazen said there are paths for both Lawlar and Alexander to win a job but added that the club did not want them not to play.
“Most of our backup infielders that were on the team aren’t shortstops and Blaze and Jordan are certainly going to be in the mix, too, but we wanted to add some other competition to that area,” Hazen said. “I still don’t see us just handing jobs to players coming out of spring training.”
Hazen said he has continues to hunt for another bat to add to the position-player mix, adding that the club has more actively engaged in conversations for certain left-handed hitters following the re-signing of the right-handed hitting Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
“We’re having active conversations with a number of different guys,” Hazen said. “My gut tells me it’s going to come via the free agent route, but we have had some active conversations about trades and now that we’re through the new year I’m curious to see if that dialogue picks up and if there’s more opportunity in the trade market, too.”
Hazen is primarily targeting a bat who could plug into the designated hitter role.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Diamondbacks add Kevin Newman and Tucker Barnhart
