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Diamondbacks look to extend Paul Goldschmidt

By Josh Criswell

Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt hits a first inning single against the Arizona State Sun Devils during a spring training baseball game at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt hits a first inning single against the Arizona State Sun Devils during a spring training baseball game at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Arizona Diamondbacks are looking to sign All-Star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt to a long-term contract extension.

Paul Goldschmidt has been the bright spot on a very average, and sometimes awful, Arizona Diamondbacks team for the past four seasons. The Diamondbacks are finally starting to show some promise, though, and the front office has made it clear that their star player is a vital part of their plans for the future.

"“We want to make him a lifetime Diamondback,” general manager Dave Stewart told CBS Sports. “He’s a big, big piece of what we’re trying to do.”"

Although Goldschmidt is signed through at least 2018, it is no surprise that Arizona is already looking into a long-term contract extension.

He is currently leading the National League in batting average (.341) and runs batted in (83). He is also an MVP candidate, and will be battling the Washington Nationals’ Bryce Harper in what is setting up to be a heated race for the coveted honor. And before he entered a home run drought two weeks ago, he was in competition for the triple crown.

Goldschmidt is currently not being paid anywhere close to his value, either, giving the Diamondbacks even more incentive to reward their All-Star first baseman now and prevent him from hitting the free agent market.

Signing Goldschmidt to a lucrative extension would be both wise and the right thing for the organization to do. He will be making less than $10 million for the next two seasons, completely unacceptable for one of the best players in the MLB. Even more ridiculous is the fact that 23 other first basemen are making more money than him this year.

Fortunately for the Diamondbacks, Goldschmidt comes off as the ultimate team player. If his contract situation is bothering him, he is not revealing any displeasure to the media, and it certainly is not affecting his play on the field.

"“I’ve got no problems with anything,” Goldschmidt told The Arizona Republic. “That’s just how it is. You play bad after you sign a contract and the team’s probably looking for a way out of it. If you play good, maybe the player wants something. It’s just how the game goes, and it’s not something I’m really ever thinking about.”"

The Arizona Diamondbacks are all but eliminated from postseason contention in 2015. Regardless, the organization does have a bright future ahead of them. As they continue to build a playoff contender for the near future, there is no better candidate to be the face of the franchise then Paul Goldschmidt.

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