Updated on Nov. 12, 2022.
When USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported that 37-year-old third baseman Evan Longoria had interest in playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2023, it was unknown whether the sentiment was mutual. On Thursday, a new report from AZCentral’s Nick Piecoro suggested that the Diamondbacks could have interest in Longoria, too.
It is no secret that Longoria is a far cry from the three-time Gold Glove third baseman he once was in Tampa. Nonetheless, his bat still graded out as above-average in 2022, with a .244/.315/.451 line and a 115 weighted runs created plus (wRC+). Longoria hit 14 homers and drove in 42 runs, but only played 89 games due to a plethora of injuries, including early-season finger surgery, a mid-year oblique strain and thumb surgery just before the season ended.
While Longoria’s bat has aged reasonably well, his defense showed signs of deterioration in 2022. In 68 games at third base, Longoria had minus-4 defensive runs saved and 0 outs above average. Giants manager Gabe Kapler used him as a DH in 18 games to get him off his feet.
When asked about the Diamondbacks’ biggest needs in a during final media availability, general manager Mike Hazen did not mention third base. However, he did say he would be looking for a right-handed bat and veteran leadership. Defense aside, Longoria checks both of those boxes.
In-house third base options for the D-backs include Josh Rojas, who was benched late in the season due to struggles on defense, and midseason trade acquisition Emmanuel Rivera. Both saw their numbers dip due to poor September performances, but they each had decent years overall.
Rojas finished the year with a .269/.349/.391 batting line and a 108 wRC+. Rojas also stole 23 bases. With 2.7 fWAR on the year in 125 games, Rojas continued to cement himself as an everyday major league player.
Rivera came on strong in Arizona after coming over in a trade from the Kansas City Royals, but he hit just .183/.206/.267 in September and October combined. He ended the year with a .233/.292/.409 batting line and a 95 wRC+ in 102 games. Defensively, Rivera is the best third baseman on the team, posting six defensive runs saved and three outs above average.
Sergio Alcántara also played 41 games for the D-backs at third base as a utility infielder. Alcántara has a strong arm, but third base is not his natural position and his bat does not profile well there. Alcántara hit well in high-leverage situations, though, and even led all Diamondbacks position players in win probability added.
Given Rojas’ struggles defensively at third base, it is possible the team could look elsewhere at the position next year. Rojas said during final media availability that he is unsure where he will play in 2023.
“The only thing they did tell me is that it’s going to be in the dirt,” Rojas said. “So I’m going to do all my work this offseason in the dirt.”
As the clear-cut best third baseman on the roster, Rivera could see significant time there in 2023. Although he fractured his left wrist shortly before the end of the season, he figures to be ready for next year. Behind Rivera, Alcántara and Rojas could provide adequate depth at the position.
So, where would Longoria fit in on the 2023 D-backs? On paper, he probably doesn’t. Although Rivera’s offensive numbers are a step below Longoria’s, it should be noted that the Giants protected Longoria from same-handed pitching more than the D-backs did with Rivera. In 2022, Rivera faced right-handed pitching in 67 percent of his plate appearances compared to 57 percent for Longoria.
Nonetheless, Longoria was still the better hitter in 2022, and bringing him in would theoretically be an offensive upgrade. His 124 wRC+ against lefties narrowly trumps Rivera’s 118. Against righties, Longoria had a 107 wRC+ compared to Rivera’s 84.
On the flip-side, Rivera’s defense grades out significantly better, and he is due to make around the league minimum in 2023. Longoria could get $5 million or more in free agency. He also hasn’t played 90 or more games in a season since 2019.
Maybe Longoria is a slight upgrade over Rivera in the end, but it is also not hard to envision a scenario where Rivera makes some improvements over the offseason and winds up being better than the aging Longoria. Even if Longoria is better, it may not be by much.
Ultimately, the best argument for signing Longoria is the fact that he has played 15 seasons in the majors and is one of the most well-respected players in the game. There is something to be said for having a player of his caliber wrap up his career in Arizona. There is also something to be said for spending that money elsewhere, on a player that fills a more urgent need for a franchise that may not spend much this winter.
