Arizona Diamondbacks extend contracts for Kirk Gibson, Kevin Towers

The Arizona Diamondbacks, with difficult years ahead as they try to contend with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West, made a commitment on Wednesday to their current leadership.

Both manager Kirk Gibson and general manager Kevin Towers received contract extensions.

Jack Magruder of Fox Sports Arizona writes the following about the deals:

"Towers and Gibson, the architects of a D-backs’ turnaround that included the 2011 NL West title, were signed to contract extensions beyond the 2014 season, the team announced on Twitter. The parties agreed not to announce terms.”"

There is some staggering ambiguity at work here. No terms announced? So it could be for three years and it could be for 25 years and we wouldn’t know the difference.

It seems that this deal is more a gesture to their past success in 2011 than it is any current success. The Diamondbacks notably traded away uber-talented outfielder Justin Upton and top-pitching prospect Trevor Bauer before last season. They continued that trend this off-season, sending Adam Eaton to the Chicago White Sox and blue chip pitcher Tyler Skaggs back to the Los Angeles Angels for slugger Mark Trumbo.

The point is, they have made drastic moves in the last two years, including trades with top prospects, that as of yet have not paid off. To commit to them now, the Diamondbacks are showing a lot of faith in both Gibson and Towers.