Nick Piecoro

azcentral sports

Paul Goldschmidt smiled. The memories are perhaps the fondest of his career. His go-ahead triple into the corner. The dog pile near the mound. The joy on the faces of his veteran teammates. The night was Sept. 23, 2011, and the Diamondbacks’ 3-1 win over the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field clinched the National League West.

“It was loud,” Goldschmidt said. “That’s what I remember.”

Five seasons have since come and gone, and it remains the only night Goldschmidt has been able to celebrate in a Diamondbacks uniform.

With spring training set to begin this week – pitchers and catchers report to Salt River Fields on Monday, a day before their first scheduled workout – there is little to reason to believe this year will be different. The Diamondbacks could improve – perhaps they should, given how bad last year was – and they might even surprise. But no one seems to view them as true contenders.

Goldschmidt has never seemed to concern himself with predictions or expectations. Nor does he acknowledge thinking too many steps ahead. But it takes only a little imagination to envision the Diamondbacks approaching a crossroads, with Goldschmidt at the intersection.

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The organization has what is widely regarded as a depleted farm system. With its bottom-third payroll, it has a pair of unwieldy contracts – deals that could be called challenging at best, crippling at worst – belonging to right-hander Zack Greinke and outfielder Yasmany Tomas. And so with few, if any, impact prospects on the horizon, the Diamondbacks likely will be faced with tough, salary-based roster decisions in the coming years.

If they again stumble out of the gate and find themselves distant contenders in the NL West, they might be forced to consider rebuilding. And that would mean deciding what to do with their franchise player.

“I would hope he’s here for the long haul,” Diamondbacks CEO Derrick Hall said. “We haven’t had those conversations. You’re talking about a guy that has been the face of our roster and continues to perform every year. I would certainly hope (we wouldn’t have to trade him).”

Since signing Goldschmidt to a team-friendly extension before the 2013 season, the Diamondbacks have received top-level production at cut-rate prices. He is widely regarded as one of baseball’s best first basemen. But, thus far, they have not been able to avoid squandering his prime.

His contract still has two more guaranteed years at $8.75 million this season and $11 million next, with a $14.5 million option for 2019. That would make him highly attractive to a contending team.

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“It would be hard to trade him,” a rival scout said. “I would think the fan base would have to have something to hold on to. He’s really the face of the organization. It would be hard to part with that.”

They also could go a different direction – a contract extension – but that likely would not come easy. Last season, Goldschmidt switched representation to Casey Close, a high-powered agent who has negotiated record-breaking deals for Clayton Kershaw and Greinke. An extension could conservatively cost the Diamondbacks in excess of $20 million per year – and perhaps much more.

Not only would that sort of deal be difficult for the Diamondbacks to afford with Greinke already on board through 2021, it also would be risky to devote those kind of resources to a player who will be in his mid-to-late 30s, particularly for a team with payroll limitations.

If they do face a rebuild, they’ll have to confront the same questions as they relate to center fielder A.J. Pollock, who will be eligible for free agency after next season.

Capitalizing on Goldschmidt’s and Pollock’s prime was part of what compelled the club to sign Greinke and trade for Shelby Miller prior to last season. And while it hasn’t happened yet, it’s possible things turn around this year. That, at least, is what the Diamondbacks are hoping.

They seem to believe it’s at least a possibility. General Manager Mike Hazen said it was part of the reason he made relatively few moves in his first winter on the job.

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“We looked at the roster, with the talent on it,” Hazen said, “and we needed to give these guys a chance.”

He wasn’t ready to give any hints about what direction he’ll go should the club stumble again this season.

“We’re not really there yet in terms of sort of long-term strategic thinking,” Hazen said. “We like this team. We’ll see where this team goes. If we have to make some adjustments, we will.”

Said Hall: “We need to perform with what we’ve committed. I hope that happens. But at some point, sure, you look in the mirror and decide, ‘Is this working? Should we make a change?’

“We have to improve the quality of prospects we have, not only through the draft but through acquisitions at some point. I think this is an important season directionally to determine which way we’re going to go. But right now, we’re focused on these guys doing the job.”

Goldschmidt says that’s where his focus lies, as well. And he’s hopeful this will be the year he gets to celebrate once again.

“I remember (teammates) saying (in 2011), ‘Savor this. I’ve been waiting my whole career for it,’” he said. “You try to. But you can’t really do it justice. So now, hopefully, it’s this year where we can make the playoffs and win the World Series. It would probably mean more having gone now five years without playing in the playoffs.”

Short hops

Infielder Phil Gosselin, who was designated for assignment on Tuesday following the Daniel Descalso signing, was traded on Friday to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for minor-league right-hander Frank Duncan. Duncan, 25, posted a 2.34 ERA combined in 138 2/3 innings between Double-A and Triple-A last season.

The Diamondbacks signed veteran reliever Tom Wilhelmsen to a minor-league deal. Wilhelmsen, 33, is a Tucson native who owns a 3.46 ERA in parts of six seasons in the majors.

Reach Piecoro at (602) 444-8680 or nick.piecoro@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on Twitter @nickpiecoro.