Dan Bickley

azcentral sports

The Diamondbacks are in a good place. They have a new look, a new ace and a new status in the Valley.

But nothing has changed with Paul Goldschmidt.

The Diamondbacks superstar remains thoroughly unimpressed with himself. He will not stray from his approach or his teammates. Best of all, he still doesn’t care about his one-sided contract or his status as the most-underpaid player in Major League Baseball.

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“Why does that matter?” he asked.

Well, because Zack Greinke just commanded $206.5 million from the organization, and his new teammate will earn more in one season than the total value of the five-year, $32 million extension Goldschmidt signed in 2013.

“That’s freaking awesome,” Goldschmidt said. “You want to see every guy taken care of, and Zack has definitely earned it. And I can guarantee you Zack isn’t over there counting his money. He’s trying to win the World Series.”

Take a moment to appreciate Goldschmidt’s attitude because it is central to everything happening with the Diamondbacks.

He is a perennial MVP candidate and he works harder than anyone on the team. That sets a powerful example in the clubhouse and raises the accountability of everyone in the room. Former Diamondbacks star Luis Gonzalez called Goldschmidt a “true professional,” carrying a level of humility and commitment that speaks to a different era of players.

“The game has changed so much,” Gonzalez said. “Back when we won the World Series, the clubhouse guys were practically kicking us out of there because they had to wash the uniforms, and because we would’ve sat in there all night sipping cold ones and talking shop.

“This team is built like that. They have a very strong work ethic. And they work consistently. Sometimes too much, in my opinion.”

Goldschmidt’s contract situation sets another profound example. One set of analytics claim the first baseman was worth $33.4 million last year alone, a season in which he earned $3.1 million. In an era of self-obsessed athletes, it’s a rarity to have a player of this caliber remain perfectly content with that kind of financial injustice, tuning out agents and others who are vested in his annual income.

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The Diamondbacks likely will address this situation before the 2017 season – but no sooner – and the timetable seems perfectly fine with Goldschmidt. He will not allow himself to get sidetracked over money. And if one of the top five players in Major League Baseball doesn’t care about ranking fourth on his own team’s payroll in 2016 – his $5.75 million salary slot ranks below Greinke, Yasmany Tomas and Tyler Clippard – than nobody in uniform can be selfish about anything.

“I’m not really sure what you’re asking,” Goldschmidt said. “But if it’s anything about contracts, that’s the last thing that’s ever on my mind. I just go play.”

Goldschmidt’s attitude will serve him well. He trusts the organization to take care of him when the time is right. He seems to understand that millionaire athletes can’t complain about their contracts without alienating fans, even if the complaints are justified.

That’s partly why he’s so beloved in the Valley, where interest in the Diamondbacks is surging. Unprecedented crowds gathered outside Chase Field on Saturday morning, lining up for access to the team’s annual Fan Fest. Inside, they followed Goldschmidt with a sense of awe, chanting, “Goldy! Goldy!”

Just like Larry Fitzgerald and Shane Doan, Goldschmidt gives his organization incredible value on and off the field. He is the kind of player that can carry a team in the standings and at the box office. His attitude alone makes fans embrace the Diamondbacks. To wit:

His employers didn’t give him more money. But they gave him a team that can compete for the World Series. For Goldschmidt, that’s more than enough.

Reach Bickley at dan.bickley@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8253. Follow him at twitter.com/danbickley. Listen to “Bickley and Marotta,” weekdays from 12-2 p.m. on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.