Secret's out: Pfaadt inks 5-year extension with D-backs

PHOENIX -- For the last couple of days, Brandon Pfaadt would study the faces of those who approached him in the clubhouse -- even his Diamondbacks teammates -- with the same question in his mind: Do they know?

Pfaadt had agreed to a five-year deal worth $45 million, sources confirmed. The deal also includes a $21 million club option for 2031 and a $25 million mutual option for 2032, with a no-trade clause for 2030-32.

The deal, which kicks in for the 2026 season, essentially buys out Pfaadt’s remaining arbitration years and potentially his first two free-agent years if the options were exercised.

The Diamondbacks weren’t ready to announce the move until Friday afternoon, so Pfaadt had to keep it under wraps until then.

"It was hard coming into the clubhouse the last two days, not knowing who knew, who didn't know,” Pfaadt said. “I was looking them in the eyes trying to figure out, ‘Do you know? Do you know?’ It was tough, but I'm happy it's out now and we can all move on.”

There were a few people Pfaadt did tell -- his wife, Ali, whom he wed this past offseason, and his parents Brian and Staci, of course.

"I didn’t know about my dad,” Pfaadt said with a smile. “That was the tough one. I didn’t know if his lips would be sealed but apparently they were.”

Pfaadt, 26, posted an 11-10 record, a 4.71 ERA, 185 strikeouts and a 3.61 FIP with 3.1 Wins Above Replacement (per FanGraphs) across 181 2/3 innings in his first full season with the D-backs in 2024.

Pfaadt, MLB Pipeline’s No. 59 prospect entering the 2023 season, debuted for the D-backs that year and posted a 5.72 ERA in 96 regular-season innings. The right-hander also excelled in the D-backs’ run to the National League pennant, as Pfaadt had a 3.27 ERA in five postseason starts.

He's one of several players the Diamondbacks have signed to extensions recently, with shortstop Geraldo Perdomo inking a four-year, $45 million deal early in camp and right-hander Justin Martinez receiving a five-year, $18 million deal last week.

Not coincidentally, those were among two of the first players to come over and hug Pfaadt when news broke of the contract.

"We've always had that young core coming up through the Minors,” Pfaadt said. “We've all stuck together, and we've added some veteran leadership the past few years to tack onto that. I think that goes a long way. We're excited for what the future holds, and there's a lot to look forward to.”

As with just about every contract extension for a player with the level of service time that Pfaadt has, both sides have things to gain and lose with it.

The Diamondbacks are betting that Pfaadt will become the pitcher they think he can be -- and if that’s the case, they will be getting him at a discount. For Pfaadt, he is giving up the potential of earning more money by going year-by-year in arbitration and potentially his first two free-agent seasons. But, in turn, he’s getting immediate financial security.

The Diamondbacks have watched Pfaadt’s work ethic since he was drafted in 2020 and have long believed in his character as well as his pitching ability so from that standpoint he was an easy bet for them.

"I think you’ve got to think of the peace of mind that it brings,” Pfaadt said. “Ever since we got drafted in 2020, my wife and I, we've loved Arizona. We’ve loved everything about it, whether that be in the clubhouse and outside the clubhouse. We're just happy to be here longer and extend that stay a little longer.”