Justin Martínez Signs Contract Extension with Diamondbacks
Right-handed pitcher Justin Martínez has reportedly reached a contract extension agreement with the Arizona Diamondbacks, pending a physical examination. The five-year deal is valued at approximately $18 million and includes multiple club options. The contract includes a $2 million signing bonus and a salary of $1.5 million for this season, followed by salaries of $2 million, $3 million, $4 million, and $5.5 million in the subsequent guaranteed years. Additionally, there is a club option for $7 million in 2030 and $9 million in 2031, with escalators potentially bringing the total value of the deal to $39 million.
Martínez’s Performance Record
At 23 years old, Martínez has a short but notable major league history. His 2023 debut was less than stellar, giving up 14 earned runs over ten innings. However, he made significant strides in the following year, pitching 72 and 2/3 innings in 64 appearances for the Diamondbacks with an impressive earned run average of 2.48. While he recorded a relatively high walk rate of 11.7%, he managed to strike out 29.5% of the batters he faced and generated ground balls on 58.9% of balls in play.
Dominating Pitching Arsenal
Martínez’s success can be attributed to his remarkable pitching arsenal, which has been recognized in his Statcast profile. His four-seam fastball and sinker both average over 100 miles per hour, complemented by a splitter and a slider. Last year, he notched seven holds and eight saves, establishing himself as a crucial leverage pitcher for the Diamondbacks.
Reasons for the Extension
Given Martínez’s impressive performance, it’s clear why the Diamondbacks are eager to secure his services. For Martínez, locking in a substantial financial deal at this stage is appealing, especially considering his journey from outfield to pitching began in 2018 when he was signed as an amateur from the Dominican Republic for a modest $50,000 bonus. Martinez has faced various challenges, including control issues in the minors and undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2021, making this guaranteed money more attractive.
Comparison to Other Relievers
The contract is consistent with previous extensions for pre-arbitration relievers, as highlighted in MLBTR’s Contract Tracker. A comparable deal was made with Emmanuel Clase, who received $20 million over five years from the Guardians in 2022. Both players were at a similar stage in their careers, securing guaranteed income for their pre-arbitration and arbitration years while exchanging two free agent seasons for options.
Future Potential and Usage
While Martínez’s potential is significant, achieving the performance level of Clase, one of baseball’s top closers, is not a strict requirement for the extension to be considered a success. Other reliable setup pitchers have signed deals in the $7-8 million range, indicating that Martínez could represent a bargain even if his performance aligns with those players. The Diamondbacks hope Martínez will be a key component of their bullpen moving forward.
Short-Term Role
It remains to be seen how Martínez will be utilized in the near future. Manager Torey Lovullo recently mentioned that he would likely not assign a definitive closer role, instead opting for an arrangement that allows pitchers to be used in optimal matchups. The presence of key left-handers and right-handers in the bullpen suggests that Lovullo is planning to maximize his pitchers’ effectiveness based on platoon advantages as the season progresses.
Details of the contract extension, including the $18 million guarantee over five years and club options of $7 million and $9 million, were first reported in Spanish by Moises Fabian of Mega 97.9 in New York and later confirmed in English by Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. Specific annual salary details were reported by Ari Alexander of KPRC 2.
Photos courtesy of Rob Schumacher, Imagn Images.
