D-backs, Ketel Marte agree on five-year contract extension

The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a contract extension with middle infielder Ketel Marte, the team officially announced on Tuesday.

The extension is reportedly for five years and $24 million and could go up to seven years and $46 million with two option years that total $22 million, per FanRag Sports’ Robert Murray.

Marte, 24, was one of the biggest surprises of 2017 for the D-backs. With injuries to both Nick Ahmed and Chris Owings, Marte was called upon to start in a crucial stretch from July on for Arizona and he thrived.

The switch hitter put up a batting average of .260 to go along with five home runs and 18 RBI. He was even better in the postseason, going 7-for-17 (.412) with two triples and one home run over four games.

D-backs manager Torey Lovullo spoke highly of how important that contribution was for his team’s season.

“He was in the category of a player that if he doesn’t come up and do what he did, we probably would not have lasted as long and gone as far in our playoff chase and then our playoff games. He was an incredible addition from player development,” he said in early March. “It was fun to watch him play at the pace in which he played in and have the success in which he had. A special player that did special things for us at special times. We leaned on him and we were lucky to have him.”

Marte is expected to start at second base after playing there in the spring and only playing shortstop and third base with the D-backs last year.

Marte was acquired from the Seattle Mariners along with Taijuan Walker in November of 2016 in exchange for Jean Segura, Zac Curtis and Mitch Haniger.

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