Pollock Hopes for Long-Term Deal with Diamondbacks
By Kody Acevedo
Aug 11, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder A.J. Pollock (11) high fives teammates after scoring a run against the Philadelphia Phillies at Chase Field. The Diamondbacks won 13-1. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Arizona Diamondbacks’ Center Fielder A.J. Pollock made headlines over the weekend after telling reporters he would be interested in signing a long-term contract with the club so he can remain a D-back for years to come.
The story written by Nick Piecoro at the Arizona Republic quoted Pollock as saying “Absolutely. Totally” when asked if he would be interested in re-signing with the D-backs.
Looking at his numbers, there’s no reason why the D-backs would be hesitant to keep him on board. So far here in 2015, he’s putting up the best offensive numbers of his career.
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He’s hitting .313 with 12 home runs and 50 RBIs. He’s also posting a .367 OBP and .477 SLG.
In Piecoro’s report, he quoted CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman who said the D-backs might consider making Pollock an offer at the end of the season. General Manager Dave Stewart said Pollock was a “big, big piece” of the D-backs’ future plans.
The D-backs have to make a move soon as Pollock would be eligible for arbitration at the end of the season for the first time in his career. He is also up for free agency at the end of the 2018 season. If no long-term deal is offered, Piecoro said they could possibly give him a four-year deal that would delay his free agency.
Pollock was drafted in the first round of the 2009 draft by the D-backs as the 17th overall pick. He played college ball at Notre Dame and made his big league debut on April 18, 2012 for the D-backs.
In the three-plus years he’s played in the Show, Pollock has continuously put up consistent numbers for the club.
His seasonal average has improved each year, making him a career .290 hitter with 29 career homers and 120 runs batted in.
2015 is Pollock’s second season in a row of hitting above .300. He managed to put up remarkable numbers in 2014 even though he was sidelined for half of the year with a broken right hand, which he suffered after he struck by a 92 mph fastball from then-Reds right-hander Johnny Cueto.
Pollock finished 2014 hitting .302/.353/.498 with seven homers and 24 RBIs.
His success simply rolled over into this season and he was awarded with his first trip to the All-Star Game in Cincinnati.
Pollock said he wants to stay with the team that drafted him back in 2009. He said despite all of the front office and coaching changes that went on during the offseason, he still loves the people in the organization and loves playing baseball in Arizona.
He said if they talk then he will certainly talk to them back.