The Arizona Diamondbacks have avoided arbitration with outfielder/third basemen Martin Prado, reports Steve Gilbert of MLB.com.  The contract is for four years and $40 million. Prado was traded to the Diamondbacks from Atlanta in the Justin Upton trade.

Prado, 29, is expected to be Arizona's starting third basemen.  He played all around the diamond in 2012 for the Braves, appearing in games in left field, first base, second base, third base, and shortstop.  The one-time all-star hit .301 with 10 home runs and 70 RBIs.  He also had 17 stolen bases and was caught four times.


Prado will give Arizona an improvement at third base.  In 2012, Chris Johnson, who was traded to Atlanta in the same trade that brought Prado to the Diamondbacks, was the starting third basemen.  He hit .281 in 2012.  Even though Prado will make the 2013 Diamondbacks better than the 2012 team, Arizona still is going to struggle to beat the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2013.

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