Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder A.J. Pollock has been a frequent subject in trade talks and rumors but club CEO Derrick Hall told reporters that Pollock is not available for any trade deal.
"It's clear that every team knows that Goldy (first baseman Paul Goldschmidt) is off limits. It's almost time to send a message that A.J. is off limits," Hall said, according to reports.
Hall added, "He had a career year and we think that's the kind of player he is. 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."
Pollock played his best baseball in the 2015 season, being an All-Star for the first time in his career and also won his first Golden Glove award.
In 157 games played in the past season, the 27-year-old center fielder was hitting .315 and had 20 home runs, with his overall performance making him one of the best players in the National League and was even included in Most Valuable Player (MVP) discussions.
If Pollock's name is being subject to trade talks, it is unlikely that Arizona will be parting ways with him anytime soon, as Hall said there are contract extension talks for the prized center fielder.
Hall said talks regarding an extension for Pollock makes "sense" especially with everything he is for the club.
After a great season, Pollock is indeed an important piece for the D-backs whom they would want to keep as they move to the future.
Arizona has missed the playoffs in the 2015 season, the fourth consecutive year it was unable to make it.
But with Pollock, the future looks bright for the young franchise who last reached the postseason in the 2011 season.
