3:35pm: The Diamondbacks are "quite optimistic" about agreeing to a three or four-year deal with Prado soon, Nightengale reports (on Twitter). Such an agreement would buy out Prado's final season of arbitration eligibility and two or three free agent seasons.
2:43pm: GM Kevin Towers confirmed via the team's Twitter account that he has discussed a deal with Prado's representation. "He is looking for some security. Confident we can get a deal done," the team tweeted.
2:27pm: The Diamondbacks have already opened contract talks with Prado about a long-term extension, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports (on Twitter).
11:16am: The Diamondbacks expect to sign Martin Prado to a long-term contract extension in the near future, Jack Magruder of FOXSportsArizona.com reports (on Twitter). Without the prospect of a long-term deal with Prado, the Diamondbacks wouldn't have completed the trade that sent Justin Upton and Chris Johnson to Atlanta for Prado and four others.
Prado is arbitration eligible for the third time this winter. He asked for $7.05MM with the Braves offering $6.65MM, as MLBTR's Arbitration Tracker shows. Prado, a client of The Legacy Agency, is now on track to hit free agency following the 2013 season. His asking price on a multiyear deal was $11-12MM per season, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported today (on Twitter). The 29-year-old posted a .301/.359/.438 batting line in 690 plate appearances in 2012 while playing five positions.
