​The Arizona Diamondbacks announced a series of roster moves, with their 40-man roster down to 39 after recalling outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt from Triple-A Reno. At the same time, the organization’s long-tenured player Steven Smith appears to be at the end of his nine-year run with the D-backs, though there remains a possibility he could clear waivers and continue with the club in some capacity. For now, though, the focus shifts to reflecting on Smith’s time in Arizona and what his departure could mean for the team going forward.
Pavin Smith joined the Diamondbacks organization with notable fanfare. He appeared in 476 games for Arizona, debuting in the majors as a September call-up at the end of the unconventional 2020 season. Smith has the distinction of being Mike Hazen’s inaugural first-round selection for the D-backs, chosen seventh overall in the 2017 MLB Draft. It’s a path that includes an alternate possibility—Smith could have ended up with the Colorado Rockies, who selected him out of high school in the 32nd round back in the day, but he did not sign with them.
Over the seven seasons that followed, Smith often found it challenging to establish himself as a consistent everyday player for Arizona. There was only one season where he logged as many as ninety games, and that was in 2021 when he appeared in 145 contests. During that year, he spent significant time in the outfield, including 29 starts in center field. Looking back, that usage seems surprising given the frame and the team’s outfield depth at the time, and it may even help explain why the club endured a rough season, winning only 110 games. In subsequent campaigns, Smith’s role was largely as a first baseman and designated hitter, positions he occupied more frequently toward the end of 2024 and into the current period.
Despite the occasional flashes, Smith’s overall results have been underwhelming. Across more than 300 plate appearances in the more recent years, his OPS has been under .600, a concerning mark for a player expected to contribute at multiple positions. If the Diamondbacks had a credible alternative at first base, it’s possible Smith’s tenure could have concluded sooner. Instead, Arizona has leaned on a hybrid approach, utilizing Ildemaro Vargas and Tim Tawa at first base while Hazen continues to explore options via the trade market and free agency, seeking a genuine upgrade to the corner infield position. The 1B production during this stretch has been historically poor, creating a high-pressure backdrop for the front office as they search for a solution.
As Smith’s chapter with the D-backs appears to be closing, the organization faces the ongoing task of retooling its lineup in a league where every run and defensive alignment matters. The team’s willingness to listen on waivers indicates a measured approach to roster management, balancing the potential for continued value with the need to inject fresh production into the lineup. For Smith personally, the welcome sentiment remains: best wishes for future opportunities, whether in the Diamondbacks’ organization or elsewhere in the league. The next steps for Arizona will hinge on how Hazen and his staff structure the rest of the offseason, identify a reliable first baseman, and determine how to maximize the club’s depth across the infield. In the broader context of the Diamondbacks’ rebuild trajectory, this moment marks a transitional phase—moving from a veteran presence to a renewed emphasis on developing and integrating new talent to compete more effectively in the years ahead.