The Arizona Republic's Nick Piecoro is "sensing more optimism" about a Paul Goldschmidt extension now than he was earlier this month. The D'Backs and Goldschmidt's agent, Joe Sambito, have stopped and started talks about a long-term deal a few times this offseason. The first baseman expressed a hesitancy at first to iron out an extension, but it appears the two sides are closing the gap. Goldschmidt isn't arbitration-eligible until after 2014 and is under team control through 2017.