Arizona Diamondbacks sign Ketel Marte to extension

The Diamondbacks made it clear today that the future is Ketel-shaped, with Robert Murray of Fanrag Sports reporting that the team and Ketel Marte have agreed on a long contract extension. Per Murray, the body of the extension covers five years and is worth $24 million, with two option years beyond that, totaling $22 million. We’re still waiting for a detailed breakdown of the contract, but it seems reasonable to presume this covers 2018-23 (ending virtually when Marte turns 30), with options for 2024-25. With Marte going into his second year of pre-arbitration, that would cover him all the way through those, his three arbitration seasons, as well as the first free-agency year: the options would be for years two and three.

Marte came to Arizona from Seattle in November 2016, along with Taijuan Walker and in exchange for Jean Segura, Zac Curtis and Mitch Haniger. He started last year in Triple-A, then provided much-needed stability during the Great Shortstop Crisis of 2017, being promoted in late June. He batted .260/.345/.395, for an OPS of .740 (OPS+ 86) the rest of the way, and provided solid defense too. His overall value was 1.1 bWAR in 73 games. It looks likely that this season he will move to second-base on an everyday basis. I like this deal: if Marte has the breakout season may predict, including Jeff Sullivan of Fangraphs, this could end up as remarkably good value as the Paul Goldschmidt extension.

While the contract hasn’t been officially confirmed by the Diamondbacks, the tone of Ketel’s posting on Instagram this morning needs no translation!