Arizona Diamondbacks extend manager Chip Hale's contract

The existing contract was for two seasons, running through the end of this year, with a team option for 2017. However, it appears that this option has now been exercised - and it's possible the new deal now extends further than next year. The news was first reported by Jon Morosi of Fox Sports:

Source: #DBacks have extended contract of manager Chip Hale through at least 2017. @FOXSports

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) February 18, 2016

Here's how Hale's first full season stands in comparison to that of those who preceded him:

* Hinch was fired midway through his first full season, with a 31-48 record at that point.

It's a nice vote of confidence for Hinch, though doesn't actually mean much more than that. For you may recall the last manager to receive a contract extension, a little more than two years ago. Kirk Gibson and GM Kevin Towers were both extended in February 2014. There had been some rumblings about them being unhappy that the team hasn't exercised options, giving them effectively one-year deals: "Hall and Kendrick did not want to continually receive questions about whether Towers and Gibson were on the hot seat."

Neither Towers nor Gibson survived the season. Here's to Hale meeting a better fate.