GM Dave Stewart has designs on making Paul Goldschmidt a ‘lifetime Diamondback’
Aug 14, 2015, 10:07 AM
Arizona Diamondbacks' Paul Goldschmidt hits a fly ball for an out against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 10, 2015, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
(AP Photo/Ralph Freso)
The brilliance of Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt both at the plate, and in the field, is undeniable. His quiet, unassuming, and dare I say — boring — approach he takes to the game of baseball from a personality standpoint is juxtaposed by the absolute clinical nature for which he approaches the game of baseball between the lines.
He is the closest thing the sport has to Tim Duncan; a seemingly unmoved and unflappable athlete with instruction video-like fundamentals that won’t grasp headlines, but produces results with staggering efficiency.
Simply put, he’s any professional organization’s dream.
It’s no wonder, then, to hear D-backs general manager Dave Stewart go on the record as saying that he wants to do everything he can to make sure Goldschmidt stays put in Arizona.
“We want to make him a lifetime Diamondback,” Stewart told CBSSports.com baseball insider Jon Heyman by phone.
Goldschmidt is locked in contractually with the team through 2019 when his five-year, $32 million comes to an end once Goldschmidt turns 32. To put into context how team-friendly Goldschmidt’s deal is, the 27-year-old’s contract ranks 14th among all MLB first basemen in terms of value, earning $18.6 million less annually than Philadelphia’s Ryan Howard, who ranks first among all MLB first basemen in terms of annual earnings.
However, a long-term investment feels like a sound one to make, particularly considering the fact that “America’s First Baseman” currently leads the National League in RBI (83), batting average (.341) and on-base percentage (.457) and has been among the game’s most consistent players since 2012.
