The Arizona Diamondbacks will spend the coming months processing the frustration of another razor-thin elimination from postseason contention.

Arizona has already secured manager Torey Lovullo’s return. However, with the possibility of a lockout looming, the team may need to complete its most important roster additions early in the offseason.

The Diamondbacks may not have substantial money available for free agents, but several areas of their roster cannot remain unchanged if they intend to contend in 2027.

Finding a dependable left-handed designated hitter must rank among Arizona’s leading priorities. The Diamondbacks cannot afford to ignore that need again.

Arizona struggled against right-handed pitching throughout the season and never found a reliable left-handed solution for the designated hitter role.

The Diamondbacks gave Pavin Smith an opportunity, but he hit .183 with three home runs, 12 RBIs and a .556 OPS in 40 games.

Arizona also took chances on players such as Max Kepler and Jesús Sánchez, but neither addition produced the desired results.

Kepler hit .205 with two home runs, 15 RBIs and a .565 OPS in 41 games before the Diamondbacks designated him for assignment.

Sánchez joined the team late in the season and went 2-for-15 with a walk and five strikeouts in six games. His brief opportunity did not provide Arizona with the left-handed production it needed.

As the roster is currently constructed, the Diamondbacks have few dependable left-handed power options.

Smith and catcher Adrian Del Castillo have not demonstrated enough consistency to be treated as permanent answers. Del Castillo hit .193 with five home runs, 24 RBIs and a .556 OPS in 64 games.

Arizona therefore needs to pursue an external left-handed power hitter capable of filling the designated hitter role.

The ideal addition must offer more than occasional home runs. Arizona needs someone who can consistently challenge right-handed pitchers, control the strike zone and provide protection for the team’s established hitters.

Plate discipline should be one of the most important qualities in the search. A hitter who forces pitchers to work can extend innings and create better opportunities for teammates.

The Diamondbacks should also value consistency. Their previous options produced isolated moments of success but never established dependable offensive rhythms.

A strong designated hitter must remain productive without contributing defensively every day. That role requires concentration, patience and the ability to stay engaged between plate appearances.

Arizona also needs a hitter comfortable carrying responsibility in important situations. The lineup lacked a trustworthy left-handed presence who could punish right-handers and alter how opposing managers handled their bullpens.

The Diamondbacks do not need another temporary experiment. They need an established hitter whose power, approach and reliability give the lineup the balance it lacked throughout 2026.