D-backs pick up Goldschmidt’s option worth $14.5 million

[October 30, 2018]    Paul Goldschmidt is set to return to the Arizona Diamondbacks after the National League West club announced Monday it has exercised a team option on the first baseman for 2019.

Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) throws to first base against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo

The option is worth $14.5 million, according to MLB.com reporter Steve Gilbert.

Goldschmidt, who signed a five-year, $32 million contract in 2014, is in the final year of control by Arizona, where he began his major league career in 2011. There's a possibility that the team will shop him around during the offseason before he becomes a free agent in 2020, though he has been a member of the organization since Arizona made him an eighth-round pick in the 2009 draft.

Goldschmidt, 31, has been a valuable member of the D-backs as a six-time All-Star selection and a regular contender for the NL Most Valuable Player, finishing three times among the top three in votes, twice as runner-up. He'll be the ninth-highest-paid first baseman in the majors next season, along with Matt Carpenter, according to Spotrac.

The three-time Silver Slugger Award winner hit .290 last season with 33 home runs, 83 RBIs and 95 runs scored. In eight seasons, all with Arizona, Goldschmidt has a .297 average with 209 homers and 710 RBIs in 1,092 games.

Meanwhile, Cuban outfielder-third baseman Yasmany Tomas has a player opt-out clause for 2019 and 2020, the final two years of a six-year, $68.5 million deal with Arizona that began in 2015. Tomas played the entire 2018 season with the Triple-A Reno Aces, batting .262 with 14 home runs and 65 RBIs.

--Field Level Media

[© 2018 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2018 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.  Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.