D-backs lose utility infielder Kevin Newman to Angels
Newman was a valuable part of the Diamondbacks infield mix, stepping up when starters got injured.
7 players on the 2024 Diamondbacks became free agents this month. Infielder Kevin Newman could be the first off the market, as Will Sammon and Sam Blum of The Athletic report he has agreed to sign with the Los Angeles Angels. MLB Insider Jon Heyman adds it’s a one-year deal plus a club option for 2026.
Newman, 31, is coming off his best season since 2019, slashing .278/.311/.375 (91 OPS+) with 3 home runs in 111 games. He was also a strong defender, accumulating +10 DRS primarily playing shortstop and second base (77 of 79 starts), with it all adding up to 2.2 bWAR.
For the Angels, Newman is a good fit to keep the shortstop position afloat while they wait for Zach Neto to return from shoulder surgery. They had already signed former Arizona Wildcat Scott Kingery after he washed out in Philadelphia. The two will reunite after being the middle infield combination in Tucson in their respective draft year in 2015, but will compete for the backup shortstop/utility infielder role with the Angels. Given Newman got a major league deal, he should have the inside track to win it.
Newman signed a minor league deal with Arizona last offseason to compete for the backup shortstop job. While manager Torey Lovullo constantly iterated that they wanted a player who could pick up the baseball and keep the defense at a high level, but he lost out to the hot-hitting Blaze Alexander. After failing to make the Opening Day roster, he triggered the opt-out clause but re-signed on another minor league pact two days later.
It wouldn’t be long before he would be back in the majors, as Geraldo Perdomo tore his right meniscus on April 3. Newman eventually took over the shortstop position when Alexander’s fielding slump became unplayable. It ended up being a godsend for the D-backs, as he stabilized the position until Perdomo came off the injured list on June 11.
For Newman, it will be the Poway, California native returns to Southern California in his baseball career. Most of his career success has come in the state of Arizona, as a collegiate player and major leaguer.
Michael McDermott has been writing about the Arizona Diamondbacks, and their minor league system, for 9 seasons for AZ Snake Pit, Diamondbacks on SI, and Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X at x.com/michaelmcdmlb or at Bluesky.