Arizona Diamondbacks CEO Hall: A.J. Pollock ‘almost untouchable’

Center fielder A.J. Pollock was among those modeling the Diamondbacks’ new uniforms on Thursday night at Chase Field. And, despite his name popping up in trade requests, it sounds likely Pollock will be around next year to wear them in actual games.

CEO Derrick Hall said other clubs ask about Pollock’s availability “every time” they talk trade with the Diamondbacks.

“It’s clear that every team knows that Goldy is off limits,” Hall said, referring to first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. “It’s almost time to send a message that A.J. is off limits.”

Pollock is coming off a monster season in which he made his first All-Star team, won his first Gold Glove and hit .315 with 20 homers and 39 steals. He rated among the best players in the National League, and even found his way onto a handful of MVP ballots.

“He had a career year and we think that’s the kind of player he is,” Hall said. “It’s no surprise that he’s the first name that comes up, really in every conversation we have. It’s like Goldy two or three years ago. He came up in every conversation.

“I think it’s safe to categorize him as almost untouchable.”

Hall said the club still has interest in talking about a long-term contract with Pollock, who will be eligible for arbitration for the first time next season but can’t become a free agent until after 2018.

“We’ve had internal conversations about that,” Hall said. “It makes sense, obviously, with who he is, what he means to this team, where he is right now service time-wise. To have that conversation soon makes a lot of sense.”

Moving on?

When the Diamondbacks’ six-year, $120 million offer to Johnny Cueto was rejected, the club made it sound as if the door had not closed free-agent right-hander.

Hall, however, wasn’t as optimistic on Thursday night.

“It’s debatable,” Hall said, when it was suggested that the club could circle back to Cueto. “Look, we’ll see. We’ll cross that bridge. There’s Plan B and Plan C, and if we move on, we probably couldn’t revisit it if we move on to those other moves.”

He said the length and dollars of their offer to Cueto was “uncomfortable” enough as it was.

“It depends on the player, it depends on our situation and how everybody thinks internally,” Hall said. “But it’s difficult for a team like ours to even go six years. That’s tough. Five years has always been tough for a team like ours.”