Okay, hear’s a breakdown of the provided text, focusing on the evaluation of Mike Hazen‘s performance as the Diamondbacks‘ General Manager. I’ll summarize the arguments for and against his performance, and highlight his recent offseason moves.
Overall Assessment of Mike Hazen (2025 Season & Beyond)
The article presents a nuanced view of Mike Hazen’s performance. It doesn’t offer a simple “good” or “bad” judgment, but rather acknowledges the complexities of the situation.
Arguments criticizing Hazen:
* Lack of Depth: The primary criticism is that Hazen failed to build sufficient depth within the institution.When key players were injured (Burnes, Martinez, Puk, All-Star Catcher, Starting LF, pitchers #2 & #3), the team faltered significantly. This is seen as a basic failing of team-building,and the obligation falls on Hazen.
* Underperformance: Despite being in playoff contention late in the season, the Diamondbacks ultimately underperformed expectations for 2025.
* Potential Misjudgment at Trade Deadline: Some argue Hazen should have been more aggressive in acquiring talent to bolster the team for a late-season push.
Arguments Defending Hazen:
* Critically important Injuries: the sheer volume and importance of the injured players were extraordinary. Losing an ace,a primary lefty,a setup man,a closer,and other key contributors is a massive blow to any team.
* Trade Timing: The trades of Suarez and Kelly are seen by some as well-timed, as those players performed well for their new teams. This suggests Hazen wasn’t necessarily wrong to move them.
* Team Performance despite Adversity: The fact that the Diamondbacks were even in contention in late September,given all the injuries,is seen as a testament to Hazen’s efforts.
* Team Let Him Down: The article states that Hazen wanted to be a buyer at the deadline, but the team’s performance didn’t warrant it. He than “went all-in” on moving players.
* Montgomery Trade: While ultimately insignificant, Hazen was able to move Jordan Montgomery, showing some ability to maneuver the market.
Key Takeaway Regarding 2025: The article suggests the Diamondbacks almost met expectations, but the injuries were too much to overcome. Hazen is partially blamed for the lack of depth to withstand those injuries.
Hazen’s Offseason Moves (Leading into 2026):
* Merrill kelly Re-Signing: Hazen re-signed Kelly to a two-year contract, providing some stability to the rotation.
* Zac Gallen Departure: Hazen did not re-sign Gallen, allowing him to become a free agent and receive a qualifying offer. This is viewed as a positive because it will net the Diamondbacks an extra draft pick and bonus money. The expectation is gallen will sign a contract exceeding $50 million.
* Mike Soroka Signing: Hazen signed Mike Soroka, a pitcher wiht a history of injury, to fill a rotation spot. This is seen as a somewhat questionable move, given Soroka’s injury concerns.
* Jose Urquidy Signing: Hazen signed Jose Urquidy, another pitcher recovering from injury, to a minor league deal. This is a low-risk, high-reward move, fitting a team looking to cut payroll.
Overall Impression of Hazen’s Current Strategy:
Hazen appears to be prioritizing financial flexibility and draft capital. He’s willing to take risks on potentially undervalued players with injury histories (Soroka, Urquidy) while letting more expensive players (Gallen) walk. This suggests a rebuilding or retooling approach, rather than an immediate push for contention.
The Future:
The article concludes that the upcoming winter (offseason) will be crucial in determining whether the arguments in Hazen’s favor or against him are stronger. His current moves suggest a challenging path ahead.
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