It has been 13 seasons since the Arizona Diamondbacks' primary first baseman was not Paul Goldschmidt or Christian Walker.
Back in 2011, Xavier Nady led the team in games at first base (52), but a young Goldschmidt took over the position in the final two months before establishing himself as the face of the D-backs.
Walker was a terrific Diamondback for a number of reasons, among them his development and confidence to step in after Arizona traded Goldschmidt and keep first base a strength of the team.
But after eight seasons in Arizona, he heads elsewhere. The next time Walker is scheduled to take first base at Chase Field is in late July as a member of the Houston Astros. Walker agreed to a reported three-year deal worth $60 million.
Now Arizona faces a question it has not had to for so long: Who will play first base?
Losing Walker is a shame for the ballclub. He is an older free agent set to be 34 years old but has been such a consistent force in the lineup and elite defender at first base. It was not uncommon after games to see a group of players seated around his locker talking, win or loss. Pitcher Merrill Kelly said right after the season, "I think this team is better with him in this clubhouse and at first base."
The two sides were unable to make it happen, and thus the D-backs have to figure out not only who will take the spot on defense but how the batting order will shape up with questions regarding designated hitter.
The Diamondbacks have not made any external additions to the 40-man roster except reliever Seth Martinez, who was claimed from Houston.
There is a lot of offseason left to go.
General manager Mike Hazen told Arizona Sports' Bickley & Marotta during the winter meetings that first baseman Pavin Smith deserved a larger role.
Smith was the No. 7 overall pick in 2017 and has played in parts of five MLB seasons without sticking as a full-time big leaguer. He will be 29 years old next season, far from a prospect at this point.
Last year, however, he showed some promising signs in limited opportunities. He produced a career-high .896 OPS in 158 plate appearances, and his profile had somewhat changed.
Smith's ability to draw walks and make pitchers work to get him out have always been the strengths of his game, but last year he pulled the ball and lifted it more often. His pull rate climbed from 32.9% in 2023 to 41.3% in 2024. His fly ball rate ticked higher from 26.7% to 28.4%, and he saw a similar jump in his line drive percentage, according to Statcast.
At the same time, his barrels increased dramatically from a career-high 9.9% in 2022 to 14.7% last year. The moniker from D-backs brass, "Pavin can hit," started to materialize into more power.
Smith did this in largely a platoon role and in less than half a season of games. He took only 23 plate appearances against southpaws. Against righties, he produced a .920 OPS and hit eight of his nine home runs.
There is a sizable defensive drop-off from Walker to Smith, although Smith's metrics at first base improved from poor to average-ish last year. He can also play the outfield to provide versatility, although at far from an elite level.
Does Walker leaving mean Smith has the inside track to everyday reps? It really depends on what the D-backs can get done the rest of the offseason. They are expected to remain engaged in the first base market, whether that involves a trade or signing a free agent.
But Smith is set up for a role in the majors after starting the past two seasons in the minor leagues, whether he starts everyday at first or platoons at DH if free agent Joc Pederson also signs elsewhere.
Just about everyone else.
It has been a slow burn for the first base free agents this winter, but maybe Walker agreeing to terms may create a little momentum for veterans looking for new homes.
Goldschmidt is one of them.
The 37-year-old and Diamondbacks icon is coming off a down year for the Cardinals with a career-low .716 OPS. He finished the season on a better note with a .908 OPS in his final 32 games, but St. Louis has elected to move in a younger direction. Goldschmidt's platoon splits were wide in 2024, as he produced an .839 OPS against lefties and .675 clip versus righties.
Josh Bell, 32, is a younger option whom the D-backs are also familiar with. He spent the last two months of 2024 in Arizona and started his D-backs tenure blazing hot, hitting two homers in his team debut after Walker suffered an oblique injury. He reverted to a bench role once Walker returned and finished the season with a .779 OPS in Arizona.
Two older players coming off quality seasons are switch-hitter Carlos Santana and right-handed Justin Turner.
Santana is 39 years old but coming off a Gold Glove-winning season for the Minnesota Twins. He finished the 2024 campaign with a .751 OPS and 23 home runs.
Turner is 40 but continues to hit. His 11 home runs were his fewest in a non-2020 season since 2013, but he managed a .737 OPS despite finishing the season in pitcher-haven Seattle.
Two players who have been out there in trade rumors, and reports have been Philadelphia's Alec Bohm and Cleveland's Josh Naylor.
The Athletic's Matt Gelb reported earlier this month the Phillies have made it clear Bohm is available with two years of control left. The 27-year-old is coming off making his first All-Star Game, although he was significantly better in the first half of last season (.830 OPS) than down the second-half stretch (.681). He was a much improved defender last year and plays both corner infield positions.
Naylor, 27, only has one year remaining under team control. The left-handed bat blasted a career-high 31 home runs for Cleveland last season and made his first All-Star Game. MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported the Mariners and Guardians had discussed a Naylor trade.
The Diamondbacks have six starting pitchers and have listened to trade offers throughout the offseason. Jordan Montgomery and his $22.5 million salary remain on the roster despite reported efforts to deal him. There is also the question of whether outfielders Jake McCarthy or Alek Thomas could be moved to address another need. Bullpen is another area on the roster the club has wanted to address.
The D-backs don't expect to have the same offensive dominance as last year, banking on improved pitching to push them into the postseason. But there are means to alleviate the loss of Walker in the middle of the batting order and at first base, even if his individual value cannot be replaced this offseason.