The Diamondbacks ended their busy first day of free agency on Thursday by extending the contracts of both manager Kirk Gibson and general manager Kevin Towers for three more seasons. The move could keep the pair in Arizona through the 2016 season.

In their first season working together, Gibson and Towers led the Diamondbacks to 94 wins and the organization’s first playoff appearance since 2007, when the club went to the NLCS before getting swept by the Colorado Rockies. The club nearly beat the Milwaukee Brewers to make a return trip to the NLCS this season.

Even though we a few days officially into the offseason, the Diamondbacks have already accomplished a few of their goals. They have brought back two veterans for their bench in Henry Blanco and John McDonald and have locked up their manager and general manager for the next several seasons.

It is certainly a great start, but there is still work to be done to improve this club in order for them to take that next step in the playoffs come 2012. You can bet on Gibson and Towers doing everything on their part to make sure that happens.