What are the best contracts ever given by the Diamondbacks?

Thanks to the MLB Lockout, Venom Strikes has lots of times on our hands to do some lookbacks at the Diamondbacks past, future, players, and our prospects. With that said, this is all about what are the BEST Contracts ever given out by the Diamondbacks. Surprisingly, there are a good amount of solid signings, although I'm sure you have some thoughts. If you disagree with any of these, let me know in the comments! Fun fact, the team has handed out 837 million dollars in free agency. That's across 107 signings and is 18th in the MLB since 1998. This article will include extensions as well, since they are contracts. The best contract to be given out by the Diamondbacks is definitely Randy Johnson!

Randy Johnson, 4 years, 52.4 Million dollars with option for 5th year

This contract is arguably the greatest contract ever signed in pro baseball history. It was a massive steal, despite this making Randy the highest-paid player pitcher and second-highest paid player in the MLB at the time. The option for the 5th year was 15 million dollars thanks to his winning CY Young.

Plus, there were incentives in this contract if he won a CY Young award, 250,000 for each win. Of course, over those 4 years, he won FOUR CY Young awards. Safe to say that the Diamondbacks were ecstatic that they signed him to this deal. Over those 4 wonderful years, he went 81-27 with a 2.48 ERA, 11 shutouts, 1,030 innings, 12.4 K/9, and 38.1 WAR! He struck out 1,417 batters and only walked 288. His ERA+ was a phenomenal 187+ and 2.53 FIP. He led the league in strikeouts every year, led the league in ERA 3 times, received MVP votes each year, and pitched at least 248 innings every season.

Nowadays, it's rare to see a pitcher throw 200 innings, yet do it every year. Plus, he led the team to their only World Series and put on a display of dominance that has hardly ever been seen in baseball history. In my opinion, this is easily the best contract in MLB history.

Ketel Marte, 5 years, 24 Million dollars with team options for 23/24'

Yet another great contract signed by the Diamondbacks to a pre-arbitration player has worked out wonderfully. GM Mike Hazen signed Ketel to this steal of a deal prior to the 2018 season. Currently, he's under contract for three more years as the options will assuredly be picked up. The two options are worth a combined 22 million dollars. Suffice to say, a top-5 MVP finish, All-Star nod, and what would've been another All-Star year if not for injuries has made this deal a good one.

Ketel was mistakenly put in centerfield but should be moving back to second base this season which will only increase his value. It'll allow his bat and body to stay in the lineup and remain healthy. Additionally, when he plays at 2nd base, he's one of the best defenders at that position. We have tons of outfielders, but not enough quality infielders.

Over the course of the contract so far, 432 games, he has 105 doubles, 482 hits, 23 triples, 62 HRs, 218 RBIs, 19 stolen bases, 145 walks, and 246 K's. Marte's play has been worth 14.0 WAR and that's mainly thanks to his hitting .299, .360, .509, .869, 127 OPS+, .208 isolated power, and an 8.1%/13.1% walk/strikeout rate. All of those numbers are solidly above-average. The 28-year old will provide plenty more to the team in the coming seasons!

Brandon Webb, 4 years, 19.5 Million dollars

This was signed prior to the 2006 season and covered the 07-10' seasons. This was a steal at the time for a pitcher that proved himself to be a solid innings-eater with some upside. When the 2006 season was over, that upside had been fully realized with Webb winning a CY Young Award. In 2007, he led the team to the NLCS before falling to the Rockies. The team nearly made the playoffs in 2008 as well. Unfortunately, on Opening Day, 2009, he suffered a shoulder injury that ended his career. He spent the 2009 and 2010 season rehabbing the injury, but just never was able to get healthy sadly.

However, his production in the 07-08' seasons along with getting them to the playoffs more than paid off this rather small contract. Webb finished as the CY Young Runner-Up and All-Star in both of those seasons. Brandon went 40-17, pitched in 68 games, threw a 3.15 ERA, 3.26 FIP, and 149ERA+ in 463 innings. Over those innings, he struck out 377 and produced 12.1 WAR. In addition to that, he had a 42 inning scoreless streak, which ranked 2nd-longest in MLB history at the time. Prior to the end of Opening Day 2009, he hadn't missed a start for 6 years.

Overall, this deal still was a steal. Two years of elite CY Young production for 19 million is cheaper than even half a season of elite CY Young production in today's time.

Steve Finley, 5 years, 21.5 Million Dollars

The Diamondbacks weren't expected to sign Steve Finley. They didn't think that they had a chance for him prior to the 1999 season. However, to the surprise of many, he chose the snakes and I think everyone is happy he did. While he was 34 at the time, the 5-year deal was certainly a risk. Despite that risk, it was one that paid off handsomely. The centerfielder led the Dbacks to 3 playoff appearances, and a World Series ring.

From 1999-2002, Steve appeared in 598 games and had 348 runs, 538 hits, 110 doubles, 23 triples, 108 HRs, 361 RBIs, 47 stolen bases, and walked 240 times while striking out only 321 times. Furthermore, he hit .276, .357, .502, 111 OPS+ while providing great defense and 13.1 WAR. Combine that with his lone All-Star nod and 2 Gold Gloves, and this contract was easily worth it. Another great deal by the great Jerry Colangelo. If only he was still our owner.

Chris Young, 6 years, 31 million dollars

This contract was a rare one in which it was signed soon after Chris Young's rookie season. That doesn't mean it wasn't worth it though. He stayed with the team until after the 2012 season when he was dealt to the Oakland Athletics in a 3-team trade that brought closer Heath Bell to Arizona. Despite that, his time from 2008 to 2012 was still plenty worth the contract.

Chris had one All-Star appearance and a Home Run Derby appearance as well. From 2008-12', he played in 707 games, had 606 hits, 165 doubles, 98 HRs, 330 RBIs, 83 stolen bases, and 311 walks. Young struggled with making contact, but he had a great eye, power, and speed which enabled him to have two 20/20 seasons.

He hit .239, .323, .431, 97 OPS+, and garnered 13.4 WAR. That amount of WAR was easily worth the money as he would've gotten way more nowadays. Finally, he helped the team to two division crowns. Can't put a price on helping a team get to the playoffs.

Honorable mentions: Dan Haren, Justin Upton, Mark Grace, Aaron Hill, Zack Greinke, JJ Putz, Fernando Rodney, and Byung Hyun Kim.