D-backs hopeful of avoiding arbitration with Pollock
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PHOENIX -- Arbitration figures filed Friday show that outfielder A.J. Pollock and the Arizona Diamondbacks are only $250,000 apart on a 2016 contract.
Pollock filed for $3.9 million, while the team offered $3.65 million. General manager Dave Stewart told mlb.com's Steve Gilbert that he's hopeful that an agreement can be reached before at arbitration hearing.
"We're not far apart," Stewart said.
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The Diamondbacks and Pollock, who would be eligible for free agency after the 2018 seasons, have engaged in preliminary conversations about a long-term extension, but Stewart told Nick Piecoro of azcentral.com that those talks have been tabled for the time being.
"We're not on a ground that we can agree on right now," Stewart said. "Their thoughts and our thoughts are different. It's not that it's a closed book, but for now we're going to put it on the table and if we want to revisit we'll come back and revisit."
Pollock is coming off of a breakout season in which he won a Gold Glove and was named to the National League All-Star team while hitting .315 with 20 home runs and 39 stolen bases.