For a brief minute, it appeared the Arizona Diamondbacks were linked to free-agent outfielder Kyle Tucker. MLB Insider Mark Feinsand listed the Diamondbacks as one of the six teams connected to Tucker.
With Arizona linked to perhaps the top hitter in free agency, that created quite a stir among the fan base. One fan passed the question onto Arizona Sports radio host John Gambadoro to verify. Gambadoro quickly dismissed the possibility, calling it “ridiculous” and tweeted multiple times that there was “no chance” that Tucker would sign with the Diamondbacks.
On paper, that would make sense. The Diamondbacks certainly would like to upgrade their outfield. But Tucker is exclusively a corner outfielder, spending most of his career in right field. While he would have given Arizona another MVP candidate in their lineup, the cost to sign him is prohibitive.
Signing Tucker would have no doubt pushed Arizona past the first luxury tax threshold of $244 million, a number the team is unlikely to cross. The Diamondbacks currently sit with a Competitive Balance Tax payroll of $205.9 million on Roster Resource. As a first-time offender, the team would have to pay 20% of the overage.
Diamondbacks Outfield Situation Entering 2026
The Diamondbacks are down a starting outfielder when they lost left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to an ACL tear near the end of the 2025 season. Top prospect Ryan Waldschmidt is the long-term replacement at the spot, but will likely open the 2026 season in the minors.
The team doesn’t have many internal options. Jake McCarthy took the bulk of the starts in left field in the wake of Gurriel’s injury. However, he is the subject of potential trade rumors, along with center fielder Alek Thomas, as the Diamondbacks try to fortify their bullpen this offseason. Jorge Barrosa, Tim Tawa, and Blaze Alexander started games in left field last season.
Roster Resource projects Alexander to be the starting left fielder for the Diamondbacks in 2026 based on the current roster. The utility infielder has played only one game, although it included a home run robbery of Alex Bregman.
It’s unclear what direction the club wants to go in the outfield. Their entire offseason depends on what return they get, or don’t get, for second baseman Ketel Marte. However, it seems like the team will shut down talks pretty soon.
What’s Next for the Diamondbacks?
The Diamondbacks’ offseason is on hold due to them shopping Marte. In the event they elect to hold onto Marte, then they have one glaring hole they need to address. The latest report on the Diamondbacks’ closer search is they’re looking for a late-inning arm who can fill in at closer, then revert to a setup role once Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk return.
Multiple reports also add the club is looking for a right-handed bat that can play at first base and be the designated hitter. That seems to be an indication that they’re moving forward with the 29-year-old Pavin Smith as the strong-side of the first base platoon. Smith is coming off a weird season in which he got off to a scorching start at the plate, then slumped for three months before getting injured.
Diamondbacks Insider Quickly Shuts Down Kyle Tucker to Arizona Rumors