Arizona Diamondbacks Might Look to Extend A.J. Pollock This Winter

We have already learned that the Arizona Diamondbacks are interested in extending Paul Goldschmidt‘s current deal in order to make him a Diamondback for life.

Yesterday in his Inside Baseball column, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported that Diamondbacks General Manager Dave Stewart is also interested in extending A.J. Pollock long term this winter.

My colleague Tom Lynch wrote that the Dbacks should have extended Pollock last winter. This might finally become a reality.

Stewart spoke with Heyman on the phone and had this to say about Pollock.

“He’s a big, big piece of what we’re trying to do.”

Pollock will have more than 3 years of service after this season, and is arbitration eligible for the first time.

He will not hit the free agent market till the 2018 season under his current contract, and the Dbacks will likely seek a 4 year deal in order to delay his free agency. Pollock made $519,500 this season.

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Nick Piecoro of azcentral sports reported yesterday that Pollock is open to a long term deal with the organization. He had nothing but good things to say about the Dbacks.

"“I love being a part of this team and love the people in the organization,” he said. “I feel like I’ve been here for a while. I was drafted by them. It’s obviously different people but some are still with the team. I like my teammates. I like the coaches. The front office has been awesome. If they talk to me, I’ll obviously talk to them back.”"

Pollock is having a career year with the Dbacks this season after breaking out in 2014 despite missing half the year with a broken hand.

This season he is hitting .312 with 12 HR’s, 50 RBI’s, an OBP of .365, and a 128 wRC+ in 111 games.

Pollock leads the league in runs scored with 77, and has become a staple in the 2 hole.

Pollock is an elite defender in center field. He covers a lot of ground, and rarely makes a mistake.

According to Fan Graphs, his 12 defensive runs saved (DRS) is 10th in all of baseball, and he has made just 2 errors this season.

His 4.9 WAR is 6th in the N.L. behind Bryce Harper, Goldschmidt, Clayton Kershaw, Buster Posey, and Joey Votto.

His ability to stay healthy, as we saw last season, is key if the Dbacks want to win on a consistent basis.

If the Diamondbacks want to contend in 2016 and beyond, extending their core has to be a top priority, and Pollock is part of that.

This has to get done, and it sounds like there is mutual interest from both parties which is always a good sign.

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