Thursday, January 24, 2013
Prado's stay in Arizona
By Jason A. Churchill
Part of the reason Martin Prado was made available in the trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks is because the five-year veteran wanted more money to sign a multi-year extension than the Atlanta Braves were willing to give him -- more than $11 million annually, tweets David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Consitution. A contract extension is also the reason the D-backs were willing to make the trade.
Jack Magruder of FOXSportsArizona.com tweets Thursday afternoon that Prado and the club are expected to come to terms on a long-term contract "soon." The infielder/outfielder has played second base, left field and third base during his career, but is certain to spend his days in Arizona manning the hot corner.
While getting to keep Prado beyond 2013 is a good thing in general, the cost will dictate. Prado was worth nearly six wins over replacement level a year ago, which is well worth $11 million per year, but the chances he repeats or improves on such a performance over the next handful of seasons aren't great, especially considering his best two years prior to 2012 are 4.3 and 3.2, respectively.
The big picture show, however, that the Diamondbacks may very well have their infield in place for the next three or four years. Didi Gregorius is under club control for six years, second baseman Aaron Hill is a player the club wants to extend as well, and first baseman Paul Goldschmitt is five years from free agency. Add that to the controlled contracts the team has in Adam Eaton and Miguel Montero, and the Diamondbacks have a nice foundation.
