In a radio interview Thursday with Dan Bickley and Vince Marotta of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, Diamondbacks team president/CEO Derrick Hall said his team has had some discussions with the catcher. Gabriel Moreno regarding the extension of the long-term contract. “We love Gabi, and we have had those discussions with her and I am sure that we will continue to discuss her future because she has become a pillar.,” Hall said. (hat tip to Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports)
This marks the first official word of any extension talks between Moreno and the D’Backs, though it’s no surprise that the club is exploring a multi-year commitment during the backstop’s days as a pre-arbitration player. Moreno and the Diamondbacks avoided compensation this past winter by agreeing to a $2.55MM salary for the 2026 season, and Moreno has two years left before entering free agency in the 2028-29 offseason.
Moreno has been targeted as a starter for the D’Backs since arriving in Arizona in December 2022, when the Blue Jays contacted Moreno again. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. according to each other Daulton Varsho. The memorable trade addressed Arizona’s need for relief in a big way, as Moreno was considered one of the top prospects in baseball at the time of the deal. He made his MLB debut with 25 games and 73 plate appearances with the Jays in 2022, but Moreno’s first full major league season saw him win a Gold Glove and hit .284/.339/.408 with seven homers over 380 PA on a Diamondbacks team that won the NL pennant.
Moreno’s production continued to rise. His 102 wRC+ in 2023 was followed by a 107 wRC+ in 2024, a 117 wRC+ in 2025, and a 135 wRC+ this season. The 26-year-old catcher has seven homers and a .315/.394/.458 slash line in 312 PA this year, with a very strong strikeout and walk rate (though a .350 BABIP has helped plug some mediocre numbers).
Defensively, Statcast ranks Moreno sixth among all catchers in Fielding Run Value for the 2023-26 seasons, with Moreno given extra marks for his frame, blocking, and especially his pitching. Moreno has thrown out 57 of the 198 runners who have attempted to steal against him since Opening Day 2023.
Durability is perhaps the only question regarding Moreno’s performance as an extension candidate. He’s spent time on the injured list the past four years, from minor issues (shoulder swelling, adductor strain, thumb sprain) to a broken finger in 2025 that sidelined him for more than two months. This year, an oblique strain in mid-April sent Moreno to IL again, though he was able to return in just a few weeks.
Some additional wear and tear should be expected of any full-time starter, and Moreno’s injury isn’t showing any real red flag issues. The D’Backs also worked hard to give Moreno off days and DH days, and often had three catchers (Moreno, James McCann, Adrian Del Castilloand sometimes Aramis Garcia) on the active roster at one point, as Del Castillo has gotten the most DH days of anyone on the team this season.
Moreno should earn between $15MM-$16MM over his remaining two years, and one would think an extension would cover at least three of his free agent years. Based on some of the Diamondbacks’ recent extensions under GM Mike Hazen, the D’Backs will likely seek an attached club option as well.
Five-year, $99.4MM extension Raleigh signed with the Mariners before his 60-homer season in 2025 may be a tipping point for Moreno’s agents at Klutch Sports. Raleigh signed his contract as he approaches his age-28 season (while Moreno will be 27), and one of his three years on the books. While Raleigh’s power numbers were higher than Moreno’s, their offensive production is very similar. Moreno has a career 114 wrC+ from 1429 PA career and counting, while Raleigh had a 111 wRC+ from 1760 PA during his stretch.
The Diamondbacks already have them Ketel Marte, Corbin Carroll, Geraldo Perdomo, Brandon Pfaadtagain Justin Martinez signed extensions that will keep them under team control at least through the 2030 season. Corbin Burns‘ Six-year, $210MM free agent deal starting in 2030. Having more than $100MM on the books for the 2030 campaign is no small feat for a team that has typically spent a lot of money, although D’Backs ownership has been very willing to stretch the budget over the past few years.
Of course, there is an obvious benefit to adding to this list of extensions by locking up one of baseball’s best catchers. Since the D’Backs have two years of control remaining on Moreno, the extension could wait until the 2027-28 offseason, though continued production would increase Moreno’s asking price.
