The Arizona Diamondbacks have signed one of the top prospects in baseball, Corbin Carroll, to a contract extension.
The Diamondbacks view Corbin Carroll as a centerpiece of their future, as the former first-round draft pick is rated universally as one of the best prospects in all of baseball.
Just weeks after Arizona Central reported that the D’Backs were open to an extension with Carroll, the two sides have agreed to a deal.
Per Steve Gilbert of MLB.com, the contract is eight years in length and worth $111 million guaranteed.
The timing is perfect from the Diamondbacks’ perspective, as the price for a player like Carroll — should he perform to his abilities — will only go up from here. Arizona general manager Mike Hazen is following an example set by some of his rival executives, as the likes of Julio Rodriguez, Wander Franco and several Atlanta Braves stars signed similar deals prior to ascending to superstar status.
Arizona Diamondbacks sign Corbin Carroll to contract extension
It’s a win-win for both sides, as Carroll receives a guaranteed commitment from Arizona, while a small-to-mid-market team like the Diamondbacks save money in the long run to build around their core players.
Carroll played in 32 big-league games last season, showing plenty of promise. In 115 plate appearances, Carroll slashed .260/.330/.500 with an .830 OPS and 133 OPS+. Those numbers suggest Carroll could be an All-Star level talent in the corner outfield spot for years to come, if he can replicate them.
Signing such a young player to a lucrative contract extension comes with some risk. However, it’s a risk organizations like Arizona must make to prove to fans they intend on winning long term. Keeping a player like Carroll in the desert is something a winning organization would do, and Arizona hopes they aren’t far off from opening that elusive competitive window.
The Diamondbacks took an intriguing step forward last year, finishing with a 74-88 record, good for fourth in a division headlined by the Dodgers, Padres and Giants.