The Arizona Diamondbacks have significant roster needs, but they are approaching the offseason with the expectation that their payroll will be reduced somewhat for 2027.

That financial outlook will require general manager Mike Hazen and the front office to operate deliberately, directing their limited resources toward the areas most in need of improvement.

Arizona struggled considerably against right-handed pitching in 2026. The Diamondbacks made several attempts to correct that weakness during the season, relying on Max Kepler, Jesus Sanchez and Pavin Smith to provide dependable left-handed power.

None produced consistently enough to resolve the problem.

The Diamondbacks also acquired Lars Nootbaar in a trade with the St. Louis Cardinals. His addition helped, but one player was not enough to repair a weakness that affected the lineup as a whole.

First base presented another serious issue. Arizona received the least productive performance at the position in MLB, with its .636 OPS ranking last by nearly 30 points.

Ildemaro Vargas, Tim Tawa, Jose Fernández and Smith each contributed some positive moments. However, none supplied reliable power or emerged as a consistent threat against right-handed pitching.

Jake Bauers could offer a possible solution.

According to Mark Feinsand from MLB.com, the New York Mets, Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres and Diamondbacks are potential destinations for Bauers in free agency.

Feinsand noted that Bauers remains young enough to receive a three-year contract. He acknowledged that assigning approximately $50 million based heavily on one season would be difficult, but believes such an offer remains possible.

“He’s still young enough that someone could offer him a three-year deal, though it’s very hard to weigh one year so heavily that he gets $50 million — but I could see it happening,” Feinsand wrote.

That potential price creates a problem for the Milwaukee Brewers, who may no longer be able to afford Bauers.

The perception is that the 31-year-old performed well enough to secure a contract Milwaukee will be unwilling to offer before the anticipated lockout begins in early December.

Bauers led the Brewers during the regular season with 26 home runs and a .389 OBP in 144 games. He ranked third on the team with 86 RBIs and first among qualified hitters with an .874 OPS.

He earned National League Championship Series MVP honors after hitting .286 with one double, one home run and six RBIs during Milwaukee’s four-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Overall, Bauers hit .191 with one home run and six RBIs in 13 postseason games.

Bauers would give Arizona the established power threat it lacked at first base. His ability to reach base would also provide value beyond his home runs, giving the lineup another hitter capable of extending innings rather than depending exclusively on extra-base damage.

His postseason recognition demonstrated that he can influence important games even when his overall October production is uneven.

Bauers delivered during the series that sent Milwaukee to the World Series, showing an ability to respond when the pressure and attention increased.

The Diamondbacks must remain disciplined because of their reduced payroll, but their problems against right-handed pitching and at first base cannot remain unaddressed.

Bauers fits both needs, making him a logical target provided his market does not exceed Arizona’s financial limits.