Players under contract beyond this season for Diamondbacks?

What players are under contract beyond this season for the Diamondbacks?

The season is nearly over, in fact, there are only 9 games left in the season. After a miserable season so far, it’s time to look towards the off-season. With that said, we are going to take a look at the contract statuses for each of the Diamondbacks 28-man active roster. They will be sorted by “free agent after season”, “signed through year #”, or have “contract options”. Hopefully, this will allow you to quickly see what players are here long-term unless they are traded/released and to prepare you for who might be off the roster rather soon.

A player that comes up through the minors is automatically under team control for 6 years of MLB service. The first three are at a rookie-level wage and the last three are at a rate that is decided between the team and player, or if needed, an arbitration panel. Now, this might change with the new Collective Bargaining Agreement coming to this off-season. That’s assuming the MLB and MLBPA agree to terms rather quickly. Otherwise, next season might be in jeopardy. Anyways, for right now, players have three rookie pay years and three much higher salary years. As such, I will split those apart so it’s easier to tell the difference between the players. So, let’s get started!

Diamondbacks players that are unrestricted free agents after this season:

Chris Devenski – Currently recovering from Tommy John Surgery, he could be re-signed to a minor league deal as he rehabs. The team needs bullpen help and he has a history of being a talented arm.

The Diamondbacks have already released or traded away the other players who would be free agents right away after this season. Some of those players were Josh Reddick, Eduardo Escobar, Asdrubal Cabrera, and Stephen Vogt. You could also say Zack Greinke would fit this bill as well.

Diamondbacks players that have contract options for next year:

Tyler Clippard – The veteran relief pitcher in his second tour of time with Arizona has a mutual option for next season. That means that not only do the Dbacks have to exercise the option, but so does Tyler Clippard. These types of options are rarely actually exercised by both sides. The mutual option carries a 3.5 million dollar value. The current closer for the team would be bought out of the option for 500,000 dollars. That makes this basically a 3 million dollar decision.

Kole Calhoun – The Valley native who grew up a fan of the Diamondbacks has a team option for next year. The option price is 9 million, which is far too much for a mid-30’s outfielder coming off multiple leg injuries. Perhaps he’ll be brought back on a cheaper one-year deal to rebuild his value, but expect this option to be bought out for 2 million dollars.

Merrill Kelly – The veteran ol’reliable pitcher for the Dbacks this year is under contract via a team option for 2022. Technically, this would be only his 4th year in the MLB, but under the terms of the contract he signed due to coming over from Korea, he will be a free agent following the 2022 season. I can’t imagine the Diamondbacks don’t pick up his 5.25 million dollar option for next year.

Dbacks players who are signed to a guaranteed contract for multi-year/s:

David Peralta – Under contract until the end of 2022 season at 7.5 million dollars. He’s the heart and soul of the team and fanbase, but don’t be shocked if he’s traded to a contender. This has been the worst year of his career, unfortunately.

Madison Bumgarner – Under contract and unlikely to be traded through 2024. He’s owed salaries of 23 million in 2022, 23 million in 2023, and 14 million in 2024. The veteran starting pitcher is a Diamondbacks player for the foreseeable future.

Nick Ahmed – Nick is under contract through 2023. He’s due 7.5 million in 2022, and 10 million in 2023. The veteran shortstop stalwart will be with the team through then unless he’s traded.

Ketel Marte – The MVP of the team is under contract for multiple years after signing what is now a below-market deal in 2018. Thanks to that deal, he’s under contract via options that are 100% being exercised until 2024. He’s owed 8 million next year. In 2023, via the team option, he’s owed 10 million. In 2024, under another team option, he’s owed 12 million.

Dbacks players who are already into Arbitration years:

Christian Walker: Entering his first of three arbitration years in which he will submit his contract offer and the team will submit theirs. Then, they will try to find common ground or else end up in arbitration court where the panel will decide which contract Walker will get. Walker has struggled this year with making contact with the ball and injuries. I’d still be surprised if the Dbacks don’t bring him back though.

J.B. Wendelken: He’s in his first year with the Diamondbacks, but not his first year in the MLB. He played in Oakland from 2019-2021 when he was claimed off waivers by Arizona. As such, he’s entering his first of what will be three years in arbitration, assuming he doesn’t get sent to the Minors again. He’s under team control until 2024.

Ildemaro Vargas: I’m honestly surprised this utility player that got claimed off waivers late in the year is back with the team, in the Majors no less. He played with the club in 2019/2020, before being released earlier this year. Now, he’s found his way back and is entering his first arbitration year. He’s under control through 2024 at the earliest.

Carson Kelly: Carson is a Super Two player. What that means is that Carson debuted early enough in the year for his career, that he gets 4 arbitration years. Due to that, he’s technically entering his 2nd year of arbitration with the club. This will be his 2nd of 4 times going through it. As such, he’s still under team control through 2024. He’ll become a free agent at the age of 30 unless he’s signed to an extension.

Noe Ramirez: Noe is in his first year with the team. However, it’s not his first in the MLB. This was his 4th year of MLB service time. It remains to be seen if the team tenders him a contract after the season, or if they just let him go to free agency. If they tender him, this will be his 2nd time in arbitration and can be controlled through the 2023 season.

Caleb Smith: Caleb’s almost assuredly getting a contract offer, which will allow him to remain with the organization. This was his 2nd year, but the first full year with the team after being acquired in the Starling Marte trade. He’ll be entering his 2nd arbitration off-season. The power lefty can be controlled through the 2023 season.

Luke Weaver: Luke is in his 3rd season with the Dbacks after he was acquired with Carson Kelly in the Goldy trade. Yet, this will be only his second go-round with the arbitration. He’s in year two of three bouts with the team over his contract for one year. He’s under team control until 2023, unless they sign an extension, which can’t be ruled out.