Where does Lars Nootbaar fit into Diamondbacks' outfield?
Yahoo Sports senior MLB analysts Jordan Shusterman and Jake Mintz discuss react to Arizona's acquisition of Nootbaar from the St. Louis Cardinals. Check out the full conversation on the "Baseball Bar-B-Cast" podcast - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts , Spotify or wherever you listen.
Video Transcript
I- is this Nootbaar or are you, are you reacting to something else?
It is Nootbaar.
I'm just looking at the Diamondbacks.
Yep.
So right now the outfield is Corbin Carroll in right, Ryan Waldschmidt and Tim Tawa kind of splitting time in center field.
Yeah, Tawa.
Max Keppler's been getting run out there.
Oh, right.
He's on their team.
And this is the key point.
Max Keppler, the Squirming German, a man popped for PEDs- Oh over the winter.
Suspended for 80 games s- to start the year, but if you test positive for the no, no drogas, you are no bueno in October.
And the Diamondbacks, who have played a lot better recently, look like they got a chance to be in the postseason.
Bringing in Nootbaar to fill that role makes a ton of sense.
So here are my two things on this one and, and we'll, we'll wait for the return.
Yes, Keppler can't be in the postseason.
We're thinking ahead.
We should note that Arizona right now has the same record as the Phillies for that second- Yes third wild card spot, right?
The Diamondbacks, what's so interesting about their season, when you look at the roster and you haven't really been paying attention to them, you say, "Well, clearly they need more pitching.
They need more bullpen help.
They have all these starting pitchers that are injured.
They have to trade for an arm."
For the last few years, the thing that you've been able to bank on with Arizona is that they rake.
I mean, they are just scoring so many runs.
Well, I mean, they've been a top- Yes five offense.
This year, 19th in OBP, 22nd in OPS, 12th in runs- Yeah 28th in homers.
Okay?
Now, Lars Nootbaar isn't necessarily gonna come in and, and start blasting the ball into the pool, but that is a good offensive player at his best that will help- Yeah this offense.
Which brings me to, okay, I'm also not surprised that they could outbid the Padres because while the Diamondbacks farm system is not amazing- Yeah I am not surprised that they have more to give to Arizon- or to St. Louis than San Diego does.
This is a very interesting trade.
So, so what do we I mean, he's an everyday player, right?
So is he gonna be s- He's gonna- start in center?
He'll start in center or he'll play left.
Waldschmidt, right.
Waldschmidt.
DH maybe.
I like that deal a lot.
