SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- It was June 2018, and the Diamondbacks needed some outfield help and they had targeted veteran Jon Jay, who was with the Royals.
As part of the discussions, the Royals asked for an 18-year-old shortstop in the Arizona farm system. D-backs general manager Mike Hazen was tempted, but his assistant, Amiel Sawdaye, pounded the table in opposition.
While the Diamondbacks would acquire Jay for two other players, the shortstop, Geraldo Perdomo, went on to be a key player on Arizona’s 2023 World Series team, and he will continue to be a fixture in the desert thanks to a contract extension that was officially announced Tuesday.
“I’m very thankful that Amiel didn’t let me trade him,” Hazen said. “It was on the table, and Amiel said no chance you can trade Perdomo. So we didn’t, thankfully, and he’s still here because of it, and since that day, he’s been our future shortstop in so many different ways.”
The new deal begins in 2026, and the Diamondbacks hold a club option for '30 that would bring the total to $57 million over five years. There are escalators in the contract that could bring the total to as much as $72 million.
Perdomo will make $2.55 million in 2025 after agreeing to a one-year deal in January that avoided salary arbitration.
Signed by the Diamondbacks out of the Dominican Republic in 2016, when he was 16 years old, Perdomo rose through the Arizona organization before making his big league debut in '21. He became the team’s regular shortstop in 2022 and excelled defensively while struggling at the plate.
The 2023 season was a breakout year for Perdomo, who was selected to the All-Star team and slashed .246/.353/.359 while helping the Diamondbacks reach the World Series.
Perdomo was limited to just 98 games last year due to a right knee injury, but once again, he played excellent defense while compiling an OPS+ of 101 and posting a 3.5 bWAR.
“It’s a dream come true,” Perdomo said. “I always would like to be a part of the only one organization, and I think that Mike and all these guys give me opportunity to be a stay longer here.”
Perdomo is one of the team’s leaders on the field in the sense that manager Torey Lovullo asks a lot of his shortstops when it comes to defensive alignment and situations. But almost from the start of his time in the Minors, Perdomo’s leadership skills off the field were apparent.
“It's a gift,” Perdomo said of his ability to get along with everyone regardless of their background. “I don't know how I can describe, but I just tried to be me. I just tried to, like, relay what I was taught, and try to have fun with those guys.”
Perdomo has become a fixture in the No. 9 spot in the order for the Diamondbacks, and he has a knack for finding his way on base. A large part of that is his feel for the strike zone and ability to draw walks.
When he reaches base in that spot in the batting order, it helps set the table for Corbin Carroll and Ketel Marte, Arizona's two best hitters who are in the top two spots in the order.
“The two most excited players for this deal should be Corbin Carroll and Ketel Marte,” Hazen said. “He turns the lineup over for us consistently. [He has] tough at-bats against tough relievers, and we value that. Offensive production is not just about home runs. He's part of the foundation of what we're trying to build.”
And now, he figures to be around for the long haul.