Diamondbacks, Corbin Carroll in agreement on eight-year, $111 million deal

The Diamondbacks and outfielder Corbin Carroll have agreed on an eight-year, $111 million contract, a deal that locks up a player the club views as an essential part of its future through 2030.

The Diamondbacks made it official, announcing the length of the deal Saturday night.

The agreement includes a club option for a ninth season worth $28 million, as well as escalators that could raise the total value of the deal by another $20 million. If it is maxed out, Carroll would earn $154 million and hit free agency after his age-30 season.

The fact that the Diamondbacks are willing to extend Carroll so early into his career shows how adamant their belief is that he will be a key part of their future.

Carroll, 22, played in 32 games after making his major league debut in August, putting together a solid .260/.330/.500 line with four homers in 115 plate appearances.

The Diamondbacks are hoping to build around what they see as a talented core of young players. Carroll is at the forefront.

He ranks at or near the top of every major publication’s list of prospect rankings entering the year. Evaluators view him as a potential impact player in nearly every facet of the game. He has a feel for finding the barrel, possesses surprising power given his wiry build, recognizes pitches with a good understanding of the strike zone and is considered an above-average outfielder. He also is one of the fastest players in baseball.

Carroll reached the majors after playing just 142 minor league games, in which he hit a combined .310/.426/.588 across five levels.

The Diamondbacks drafted him with the 16th overall pick in the 2019 draft. He is expected to be the club’s everyday left fielder this season.

Assuming he never goes back to the minors, Carroll would not have been eligible for free agency until after the 2028 season. By doing this deal, the Diamondbacks are adding three years of club control.

Carroll’s contract sets a new record for the most given to a player with less than 100 days of service time. That distinction had belonged to center fielder Michael Harris II, who last year signed a $70 million deal with the Atlanta Braves.

It is the largest extension the Diamondbacks have ever handed out and the second-largest contract of any sort, eclipsed only by the six-year, $206.5 million deal given to right-hander Zack Greinke prior to the 2016 season.

Carroll's annual salaries, from this year through 2030, will be as follows: $1 million, $3 million, $5 million, $10 million, $12 million, $14 million, $28 million and $28 million. The 2031 club option for $28 million can be bought out for $5 million. Carroll receives a $5 million signing bonus.

On the dirt

Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte played half a game in center field for the Dominican Republic earlier this week, a development that did not sit well with General Manager Mike Hazen.

Hazen said he reached out to Marte and that manager Torey Lovullo spoke with Rodney Linares, the Dominican’s manager, and that he does not expect Marte to play any more outfield the rest of the tournament.

“He obviously is so proud to be playing for the Dominican Republic and, as we know, he usually does everything for the team,” Hazen said. “But we talked to him and said, ‘You haven’t taken one rep in the outfield in two years and I just don’t feel good about (that).’

“I love the WBC. We know there are challenges with the WBC that come with the territory and we haven’t stood in any players’ way of going to play. I just feel like he has been trained in the infield for the last two years without taking any fly-ball reps or running around and it just didn’t feel like the right thing.”

Hazen said the Dominican team “totally understood” the request and will keep Marte on the infield.

Short hop

Third baseman Josh Rojas was out of the lineup for a second consecutive day and participated in only a light workout on Saturday morning. “I just backed off of him today to give him a little bit of a blow,” Lovullo said, adding that Rojas is not hurt or otherwise limited. “I had a conversation with the medical team. We talked about guys that need a little bit of a blow and he was on that list.”

Angels 11, Diamondbacks 10

At Tempe Diablo Stadium

At the plate: Six Diamondbacks hitters had multi-hit games, including 1B Christian Walker (2 for 3) and C Carson Kelly (2 for 4). 2B Buddy Kennedy went 2 for 2, raising his spring batting average to .524. He is 11 for 21 with two doubles and a triple. RF Dominic Canzone had two hits, including a two-run home run, and 3B/SS Jake Hager connected on a solo home run.

On the mound: RHP Zach Davies had a miserable day giving up six runs on eight hits and a walk in two innings. He did not see many positives in the day other than the fact that he built his pitch count beyond the 60-pitch plateau. “Rough,” Davies said. “It is what it is. It’s spring training. You know what you need for the season.” Davies, one of the club’s five starters, said he struggled mostly with command. “Just location,” he said. “Stuff didn’t quite as sharp. My curveball felt pretty good, but when you’re behind in counts, it’s tough because you can’t throw that out of the zone without risking a ball.” RHP Scott McGough had another strong outing, striking out both batters he faced. He has not allowed a run in 4 2/3 innings this spring. RHP Carlos Vargas also impressed, working 1 2/3 scoreless innings with no walks and two strikeouts. He has yet to walk a batter in five innings in the Cactus League.

Extra bases: DH Pavin Smith was back in the lineup for the first time in a week, missing time due to back spasms. He went 0 for 3 with two strikeouts.

Sunday’s game: Diamondbacks RHP Drey Jameson vs. Rockies RHP Karl Kauffmann, 1:10 p.m., Salt River Fields.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: D-Backs, Carroll in agreement on 8-year, $111 million deal