The Arizona Diamondbacks have a bit of hole at first base after Adam LaRoche left via free agency, but it may not be for long.
Diamondbacks fans, fantasy players and MLB spread betting experts are quietly wondering whether there is a sleeper fill-in waiting in the wings.
Juan Miranda, a 27-year-old Cuban emigre, might finally be getting the opportunity he was hoping for.
Miranda signed with the New York Yankees in 2006 but never got a shot for steady at-bats with Mark Teixeira occupying the full-time duties. The Diamondbacks acquired Miranda from the Yankees for minor-league prospect Scott Allen. While he hasn’t had much time in the Majors, Miranda has shown plenty of promise while playing in AAA with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
In the three previous years in AAA, Miranda hit .287 with 67 doubles and 46 home runs. In the Majors, Miranda has three home runs, two doubles and a triple in 64 at-bats.
At this point, Miranda will be the front-runner to be the every day first baseman. The Diamondbacks took at a shot at Paul Konerko but the Scottsdale native wasn’t interested in their three-year, $30 million offer. That leaves Miranda as the no. 1 contender, but the Diamondbacks have some backup plans.
24-year-old Brandon Allen, who had 37 home runs 118 RBI’s in 145 games in Class AAA Reno. He strikes out at an alarming rate at this point, so unless he corrects that, he likely won’t be the every day option. Lastly, if both of those options don’t pan out, free agent acquisition Xavier Nady can play the position as well.
Keywords: Arizona Diamondbacks
