The Arizona Diamondbacks were not shy about opening up their checkbook when it came to locking up their own in 2025.
Signings of Justin Martinez, Brandon Pfaadt and Ketel Marte combined for $127 million worth of contract extensions.
Marte’s deal, though, came in as one of the riskier moves to make in The Athletic analyst Jim Bowden’s ranking of the 11 most recent extensions since March.
Why Ketel Marte’s extension is viewed as risky by The Athletic’s Jim Bowden
For Bowden, it comes down to the timing of the Marte deal, which he ranked 10th out of the 11 extensions.
He was already under contract through 2027 with a team option for 2028, taking him through his age-34 season at club-friendly numbers. However, the new deal adds $64 million and takes him through 2031. (It includes a player option in 2031 for $11.5 million.) My question for the D-backs is, why? You had Marte signed through his prime years and now you’ve added higher-risk years on the back end of the deal? I would have waited another year or two before considering another extension for Marte, who is currently on the IL with a hamstring strain.
Arizona signed their second baseman to a six-year, $116.5 million contract extension earlier this month. The deal runs through 2031, with $64 million of that in new money. According to Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro, the deal includes a five-team no-trade clause.
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Marte landed on the 10-day injured list on April 4 with a grade 1 hamstring strain. Manager Torey Lovullo told reporters he would miss a series of weeks.
Before his injury, Marte was hitting .346 with three doubles, one RBI and six runs scored in eight games.
Justin Martinez’s deal with Diamondbacks ranked just above Ketel Marte’s extension
One spot ahead of Marte sat Martinez at No. 9 in Bowden’s ranking.
At first blush, I didn’t understand why Arizona wanted to sign Martinez long term after just 74 major-league relief appearances (entering this season), despite the 23-year-old’s overpowering stuff. However, looking at this contract from a club perspective, it only guarantees $18 million and secures five years plus three team options, making it a no-brainer for Arizona. (Including options and escalators, the deal could max out at $39 million.) That’s worth the risk even though relievers can come and go in a flash. There’s a good chance this contract works out well enough for the D-backs.
The 23-year-old right-handed reliever signed a five-year, $18 million extension on March 21. The Diamondbacks hold club options for the 2030 and 2031 seasons.
Martinez has pitched 4.2 innings in 2025, striking out seven. He’s allowed just three hits while recording two saves, one hold and no runs in five games.
In 2024, Martinez posted a 2.48 ERA, striking out 91 batters and walking 36 over 72.2 innings.
Brandon Pfaadt’s extension least risky D-backs move in Bowden’s eyes
While Martinez and Marte found themselves near the bottom of the ranking, Pfaadt was viewed as more middle of the road at No. 6.
After the Bibee extension, the Diamondbacks did the same type of deal with Pfaadt. Although there should have been more separation in value between the pitchers based on their respective early career performances, Pfaadt (4.71 ERA in 32 games last season) has similar upside to Bibee. Also, with starters Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly eligible for free agency this fall, it was important for the Diamondbacks to extend Pfaadt on an affordable contract to ensure rotation stability in the future.
The right-handed starter inked a five-year, $45 million extension in March. The deal includes a $21 million club option for 2031 and a $25 million mutual option for 2032. Pfaadt also received a no-trade clause from 2030 to 2032.
Pfaadt has made three starts this season, going 2-1 with a 3.50 ERA and serving as one of Arizona’s most consistent hurlers early on.
Last season, he went 11-10 across 32 starts. He posted a 4.71 ERA in 181.2 innings, striking out 185 with 42 walks.
The Diamondbacks’ aggressive approach to locking up young talent signals an intent to build long-term stability. While some deals carry risk, Arizona is gambling on its young core to grow into contributors for the years to come.
Here is how the rest of Bowden’s list pans out:
1. Jackson Merrill, CF, Padres: nine years, $135 million
2. Kristian Campbell, 2B/OF, Red Sox: eight years, $60 million
3. Garrett Crochet, LHP, Red Sox: six years, $170 million
4. Lawrence Butler, RF, Athletics: seven years, $65.5 million
5. Tanner Bibee, RHP, Guardians: five years, $48 million
6. Brandon Pfaadt, RHP, Diamondbacks: five years, $45 million
7. Cal Raleigh, C, Seattle Mariners: six years, $105 million
8. Alejandro Kirk, C, Blue Jays: five years, $58 million
9. Justin Martinez, RHP, Diamondbacks: five years, $18 million
10. Ketel Marte, 2B, Diamondbacks: six years, $116.5 million
11. Vladmir Guerrero Jr., 1B, Blue Jays: 14 years, $500 million
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