The Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a two-year contract extension with righty Brad Ziegler. As the excited hurler implied on Twitter, there is a club option for a third year.
Just agreed to an extension with the @Dbacks! Really excited to stay in Arizona for a couple more years, at least!
— Brad Ziegler (@BradZiegler) December 20, 2013
Ziegler, who pitched in a career-high 78 games last season, has pitched extremely well in the desert since the Snakes acquired him from the Athletics during the 2011 season. Over his last 2.5 seasons in Arizona, Ziegler has pitched to a 2.27 ERA and a 3.05 FIP. The northpaw's ground-ball rates, which have consistently been above 70 percent, work well in the bandbox that is Chase Field.
Ziegler, who has primarily pitched as a set-up man during his career, briefly stepped in as Arizona's closer last season, saving 13 contests and finishing an additional 33. Though he is not a strikeout artist, Ziegler posted a respectable 2.00 K/BB ratio in both 2012 and 2013, and he has allowed just five home runs as a member of the Diamondbacks.
FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal tweeted the breakdown of Ziegler's contract. The righty will earn $4.5 million in 2014 and $5 million in 2015. Arizona holds a $5.5 million option for 2016, with a $1 million buyout.
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