Arizona Diamondbacks: Changes will come methodically
Arizona Diamondbacks General manager Mike Hazen will apply careful analytics to every transaction made.
General manager Mike Hazen of the Arizona Diamondbacks did not ride through the gates of Orlando, waiving the crest of his team on a banner and leading his band of cohorts.
Instead, Hazen is not one to gather attention, accolades nor seeks compliments. Quiet, taciturn and unassuming, Hazen picks his spots and plays his hand close to the vest.
If he was thinking of ways to improve the Diamondbacks last week during the winter meetings, there was no hint. Each time the media met with him, Hazen flatly refused to cite names and careful even when answering general and generic questions.
Overall, Hazen told Call to the Pen that the Diamondbacks will not rush to judgment.
“We tried to be disciplined to what we’re trying to get done,” he told Call to the Pen. “If those things don’t happen, there’s no reason to force it. I think there’s a good chance things will happen. There was a lot of work done here. I don’t there has been a lot of trades made, six I think, which is fairly low number for the winter meetings. I still think there will be a lot of movement.”
Still, there were a few hints in which direction he would like to take his team. The main priority for Hazen was an improvement in the bullpen, and that was addressed.
In acquiring right-hander Brad Boxberger in a trade with the Rays last month and picking up Albert Suarez from the Giants’ organization in a Rule 5 selection, Hazen seems to have taken those steps. Plus, he declined to offer reliever J. J. Hoover a 2018 contract but must search for a true closer.
Despite a shaky April, Fernando Rodney responded with a 39-save season, but several outings were adventurous. Hazen likely thought Rodney’s worth maxed out, and the soon-to-be 41-year-old would have limited value going forward.
Not taking a chance on another series of late-inning meltdowns, Hazen decided not to pursue Rodney. That’s when the native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic signed a two-year deal with the Minnesota Twins.
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With nearly two months before spring training, there is enough time for Hazen to decide on a closer.
Since Rodney is gone, one candidate could be Archie Bradley, who emerged as one of the most productive relievers in the game last season.
Yet, the Arizona Diamondbacks said they would stretch Bradley out in spring training, but the Oklahoma native, despite rumblings he would like to start, will remain in the bullpen.
His value as a set-up reliever was apparent, and Hazen is likely one who will not alter a good thing.
For the Arizona Diamondbacks to remain competitive in the NL West division, a true closer would appear a necessary component. At this point, Hazen, and other club decision-makers would likely be uncomfortable with the back-end of the bullpen by committee.
Elsewhere …
While the Diamondbacks seems reluctant to part with right-handed pitcher Brad Keller, it was the Cincinnati Reds that made Keller a Rule 5 selection. Immediately, the Reds dealt the native of Snellville, Ga. to the Kansas City Royals for cash and /or a player to be named later.
The last Rule 5 player selected and required to spend the entire season on the Arizona major league roster was catcher Oscar Hernandez, selected from the Rays organization in the 2014 draft.