MLB Rumors: Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks Engaged in Long-Term Contract Talks

Arizona Diamondbacks rookie outfielder Corbin Carroll has yet to play a full season in the majors, but the team is already hoping to lock him up for the foreseeable future.

According to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, "the Diamondbacks have engaged Carroll in conversations about a long-term contract." However, Piecoro added that "details about the negotiations are not known and a deal does not appear imminent."

MLB.com ranks Carroll as the No. 2 overall prospect in baseball. He appeared in 32 games last season after making his debut in August, and he slashed .260/.330/.500 with four home runs, nine doubles and two triples. The 22-year-old is set to open 2023 as Arizona's primary left fielder.

It was once a rarity that youngsters would sign long-term deals early in their careers, but that has changed in recent years. Piecoro pointed out that Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodríguez and Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco are among the players who've "signed contracts after relatively little service time."

Carroll has less experience than either of those players did when they received their extensions, so Piecoro noted that his "value might be closer to that of players who signed extensions before reaching the majors, such as those given to [Chicago] White Sox outfielders Luis Robert (six years, $50 million) and Eloy Jimenez (six years, $43 million)."

Many believe Carroll is a future All-Star who will excel both at the plate and in the field, so it makes sense that Arizona would want to keep him in the fold long term. He would be a major part of helping the Diamondbacks climb out of the depths of the majors, as the team hasn't finished with a record above .500 since 2019.