Several important offseason questions concern general manager Mike Hazen of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
During spring training this past March, a reporter asked Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon on the chances of his team repeating as world champions.
Always thoughtful and pensive, Maddon hesitated for a moment and then proceeded to explain to the reporter that the process, more now than in the past, is more difficult and arduous. The reason has to do with the playoff structure.
Not only must teams win their division, but also traverse through a Wild Card scenario. In the end, Maddon pointed out, layers of playoff rounds clearly complicate the physical reality in climbing to the top, past several teams, as well as engaging several teams playing well at the time.
That was the same reasoning applied by first baseman Paul Goldschmidt of the Arizona Diamondbacks. On Tuesday, several players gathered for the last time this season in the clubhouse to clean out their lockers and reminisce about a baseball season just taken from them.
While several talked about the experience of winning the Wild Card Game over the Colorado Rockies, Goldschmidt took time to reflect, perhaps as closely as possible, to Maddon’s refrain. The comments were not generated directly on the essence of winning, but Goldschmidt pointed out the inability to capitalize on a near-perfect storm.
Telling Call to the Pen that the hour was at hand, Goldschmidt clearly expressed the anguish and torment of those who start the ascent, but never reached the summit.
"“That’s what makes losing this time so difficult and tough to take,” he said. “We had great players who had great seasons, but every year, teams change. Many here now will not be here next year, and you don’t know what will happen.”"
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There is no question that general manager Mike Hazen faces difficult offseason decisions. The number-one priority would likely be retaining J.D. Martinez. Now a free agent, and perhaps the most coveted non-pitcher on the market, Martinez will clearly tax the budget of Ken Kendrick, the Diamondbacks’ managing general partner and Derrick Hall, the club’s president.
In speaking with Call to the Pen on Tuesday while players cleaned out their lockers, Hazen made no commitment to the future. Asked about a myriad of issues, ranging from the role of Archie Bradley as a starter or in the bullpen, to opening negotiations with Goldschmidt, to the makeup of his 2018 bullpen, Hazen repeated the hour was too early for discussion on any of these issues.
Another scenario circulating through the clubhouse after the season ended was the future of Zack Greinke in Sedona Red. Signing a $206 million, six-year deal with Arizona before the 2016 season, one argument surfaced that trading Greinke would free up money for Martinez. The larger question could be, would any team want to absorb Greinke’s remaining four years, or have the Diamondbacks pay for a percentage.
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All of which remain for future consideration.
Now, the bitter taste of a lost season hangs over the clubhouse like disappointment on a blind date. Manager Torey Lovullo, for one, told Call to the Pen the essence of losing and how the Diamondbacks were swept in the National League Division Series will linger for some time.
"“I’m proud of what the players accomplished, and how they did it,” he said. “I’ll remember how we got there, and proud of the culture we’re building here.”"