On Tuesday, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said that Blaze Alexander would start some games over the struggling Eugenio Suárez. At the time, Lovullo mentioned Alexander’s improving defense and his offensive production the reasons behind wanting to give him a few more opportunities. At the time he did not commit to the percentage of playing time, although the perception was Alexander would get the bulk of the starts.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In the following four starting lineups, it’s been an even split at third base. Blaze Alexander started on Tuesday and Wednesday, then Suárez on Thursday and Friday. Asked about that, Lovullo told Theo Mackie of the Arizona Republic that the split will be 4-5 days for Suárez and 2-3 days for Alexander at third base and that his previous remarks were misinterpreted.
Torey Lovullo said the split at third base will be 4-5 days of Suarez and 2-3 days of Blaze per week.
His comments earlier this week had indicated the opposite but Lovullo said those comments were misinterpreted.
— Theo Mackie (@theo_mackie) June 14, 2024
Earlier in the week, reports came out that the Diamondbacks are looking to shop around Suárez on the trade market. The bat has fallen well short of expectations, as he’s batting .195 with only five home runs and a .576 OPS. The bat has dragged down the entire profile, as he’s been sub-replacement level with -0.2 WAR. Suárez is making $11.3 million for the 2024 season, so it will be difficult for the team to find a suitor to take the entirety of the remaining salary to move him.
Additionally, the team doesn’t have much for potential replacements at third base short of just playing Alexander every day. Kevin Newman and Geraldo Perdomo have 16 and eight starts at third base respectively. Top prospect Jordan Lawlar has two career starts in the minor leagues at the position. Andrés Chaparro has gotten the most starts at third base and Deyvison De Los Santos used to play the position, but neither player is likely an option to replace Suárez on an everyday basis if the Diamondbacks are still in the hunt for a postseason spot.
Arizona faces a tough decision on what to do at the third base position. While they’re still looking to compete for the postseason in 2024, Suárez’s struggles at the plate has reached the point that the team can no longer ignore. The question will be what can the team do to rectify the situation and if it comes with an opportunity cost to fix another area of the team at the trade deadline.
Diamondbacks begin evaluating options to replace a struggling Eugenio Suarez at third base
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Michael McDermott covers the Arizona Diamondbacks and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @MichaelMcDMLB
