Diamondbacks enter extension frenzy with deal for All-Star second baseman

Marte, 31, is one of the best second basemen in all of baseball after his .932 OPS in 583 plate appearances last season resulted in a third-place finish in National League MVP voting behind Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor and Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani. 

The All-Star second baseman helps form a potent core in Phoenix, along with outfielder Corbin Carroll, catcher Gabriel Moreno, slugging third baseman Eugenio Suarez and a star-powered starting rotation. Arizona is thus well-positioned to make a run at the playoffs in 2025 after barely missing last season.

Perhaps the most shocking aspect of Marte's extension, though, is the average annual value, which falls just below $20M per year ($19.33M, to be exact). That's a bargain for a player of Marte's caliber, especially when you consider that MLB's highest-paid second baseman is the San Diego Padres' Xander Bogaerts at $25.5M per season. The Houston Astros' Jose Altuve and the Texas Rangers' Marcus Semien are each at the $25M threshold for further context.

Saving on a player like Marte should also enable the Diamondbacks to further reinforce its stacked roster this season — something they already accomplished during the winter when they signed right-hander Corbin Burnes to a long-term contract in what was viewed as a surprise signing.