Marte finished third in the NL MVP race and won a Silver Slugger last season in a career year — 36 homers, 95 RBIs and a 155 OPS+ despite playing only 136 games.
The Arizona Diamondbacks made another bet on their future Wednesday. It has become a common theme.
Second baseman Ketel Marte and the Diamondbacks agreed on a six-year, $116.5 million contract extension that will add two years and $64 million to a deal that now runs through 2030. He has a player option for 2031.
Marte, 31, finished third in the NL MVP race and won a Silver Slugger award last season in a career year — 36 homers, 95 RBIs and a 155 OPS+ despite playing only 136 games because of nagging back and left ankle injuries.
“I want as many at-bats as possible from Ketel Marte,” general manager Mike Hazen said in spring training. “I want him up into every single big situation. I want him to win the MVP this hear. I want him to go out there and dominate like he did last year.”
Marte’s extension is the fourth team has announced since the start of spring training as they look to secure their foundation pieces to compete for the long term in the ultra-challenging National League West division.
Arizona announced right-hander Brandon Pfaadt’s five-year, $45 million extension last Friday, the day before his first start of the season. The Diamondbacks signed shortstop Geraldo Perdomo to a four-year, $45 million extension on Feb. 17 and gave right-handed reliever Justin Martinez a five-year, $18 million extension on March 21.
All that, of course, after the six-year, $210 million offseason commitment to free agent right-hander Corbin Burnes, who struck out eight in 4 2/3 innings but was not involved in the decision in his first start Tuesday, a 7-4 victory over the New York Yankees.
