Rattlesnakes announce they have agreed to sign a five-year contract with right-handed Brandon Pfaadt. It runs from 2026 to 2030 and has club options for 2031 and shared options for 2032. He reportedly guaranteed $45mm for $45mm and made the following breakdown: $2mm signing bonus, a salary of $3mm in 2026 and subsequent salary of 5mm, $8mm, $8mm, $11mm, 11mm and 15mm. Then there is a 21mm number on the ’31 Club option, and a 25mm co-option in 2032, with each option being acquired by 1mm. He will reportedly have a five-team trade from 2030 to 2032. PFAADT was previously scheduled for free agents after 2029, so this purchased at least one free agent year, with the club option extending the club’s control window to another season.
The 26-year-old PFAADT is the fifth round choice for the Rattlesnakes in 2020. He quickly raised stocks with some strong minor league numbers. In 2021, he threw 131 2/3 innings in 22 matches, distributed in single A, High-A and Double-A. He scored a total of 3.21 average running rate, 30.2% from three-point shooting and 5.3% walking rate. In 2022, 167 innings between Double-A and Triple-A were 3.83 ERA, 31.6% strikeout rate and 4.8% walking rate, respectively.
Entering 2023, he is considered one of the most important prospects in baseball. That year, he made his major league debut with 18 innings of 96 innings and a relief appearance. At first glance, the 5.72 ERA doesn’t look surprising, but PFAADT’s 3-point shooting percentage is 6.2% walking percentage on the league average. He took a spot in the playoff rotation, starting with a 3.27 ERA when the Diamondbacks took over the National League title.
2024 is his first full season in the Grand Slam, and he has performed much better than his time. He allowed 4.71 runs in his 32 games and 181 2/3 innings. His 24.3% strikeout rate and 5.5% walk rate are both strong.
At this point, PFAADT has a 5.06 ERA in 277 2/3 innings, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. As mentioned, his strikeout and walking rate are good. His average hit average score was 0.315 with 66.4% of the stock rate on the unfortunate side. His 4.15 FIP and 3.86 Siera point out that he is much better than his time.
The Rattlesnake probably invested more stocks in those bottom tiers, with the PFAADT being committed to today. He had previously planned to enter the open market after his 30-year-old season, but they also locked him in his 31-year-old season with his 32-year-old club option.
Judging from MLBTR’s contract tracker, there have been some recent expansions of pitchers in the years of pre-investment. There are people who like it at the top of the list Spencer Strider $75mm, Brayan Bello $55mm, Hunter Green $53mm. These guys are all younger than PFAADT now, and Greene has also hyped up the second pick and high-profile prospect. Strider just finished a 2022 season with a 38.3% strikeout rate.
PFAADT’s 45mm trading only has one hair Tanner BibeeThe most recent 47.2mm deal. This is understandable because Bibee’s ERA is 3.25 ERA, 25.3% strikeout rate and 315 2/3 innings walk rate is 6.9%. All of these numbers put him ahead of PFAADT. He’s also a year away from free agent, which gives him some extra income.
For PFAADT, he kicks his own free agent on the road, which could lead to future earnings capabilities. But unlike some of the top prospects, he doesn’t sit in a multi-million dollar bonus. When he signed, he had only $100,000 and was not planning to qualify for arbitration until after the 2026 season. The deal allowed him to lock in some life-changing money before planning, and it was a constant concern for pitchers before his career was derailed by injuries.
For the Rattlers, they have been aggressive in locking in existing players. Over the past six weeks, they have given shortstop a significant expansion Geraldo PerdomoRelief Justin Martinez Now it’s pfaadt.
The current rotation in Arizona is overloaded, but the long-term situation is more open. In the 2025 season, they have Zach Gallen,,,,, Corbin Burnes,,,,, Merrill Lynch Kelly,,,,, Eduardo Rodríguez and pfaadt in five positions. Ryne Nelson Even if he is talented enough to pitch in rotations at many other clubs, he still works for a long time.
But Gallen and Kelly are both coming free agents. Burnes withdrew after 2026. Rodríguez was guaranteed in 2027. As the next few years play, these guys may eventually leave Arizona. Pitchers in the system may replace them with Nelson Drey Jameson,,,,, Yilber Díaz,,,,, Christian Mining There are some other arms. As this is the case, the snake certainly hopes that the pfaadt can rotate unchanged, as one might make room for another person for another.
The club is currently running a franchise record salary, but there is some good money on the book. In addition to the pitchers mentioned above, Jordan MontgomeryThe transaction expires after 2025. He made 22.5mm this year, but it wouldn’t be sold at all due to Tommy John’s surgery. Eugenio Suárez I made 15mm this year and also planned to be a free agent. This may create a hole at third base, but it is possible Jordan Lawlar Cost-effective alternatives can be provided. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Guaranteed only in 2026 Ketel Marte 2027.
Nick Piecoro of the Republic of Arizona first reported the 45mm guarantee. John Gambadoro of Phoenix 98.7 FM passed the option value. Robert Murray of fans reported limited trade protection and then reported an annual salary collapse. Then, Gambadoro said no trade covered five teams.
Photo courtesy of Joe Rondone and Rob Schumacher, Imagen Images
