Arizona Diamondbacks: Mike Hazen Puts His Mark on Rebuilding

Rebuilding of the Arizona Diamondbacks under general manager Mike Hazen has taken a different approach

Every decision we undertake has a reason. That’s the rationale Mike Hazen, general manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks, gives in support of the building of his regime.

Buzz words like “the process” and “the journey” have found their way into recent sports lexicon. Hazen is a principal proponent of these characterizations and his use of “process” and “journey” run to the core of how he builds and structures the current edition of the Diamondbacks.

When Hazen was named the Arizona general manager last October, he approached the job with measured steps. While the team needed a myriad of changes, Hazen did not go out and mortgaged the franchise nor open his checkbook to prospective free agents.

Instead, his first step was to build a principal foundation. From that core, Hazen seeks to establish friendships and commitments.

"“We didn’t set out to make changes for the sake of making changes,” Hazen said Tuesday during the MLB Cactus League media day. “We want to establish a presence and then talk about changes. We want to be in a position to put the best players on the field, but also want to be wise about it.”"

As a result, Hazen said he’s satisfied with the team as constructed and ready for spring games to commence. Engineering only one significant trade, Hazen dealt infielder Jean Segura to Seattle for right-hander Taijuan Walker.

General managers in attendance during Tuesday’s media day thought, at 24-years-old, Walker has substantial up-size. Once he can harness his ability and energy, the Diamondbacks made an important contribution. In the meantime, Hazen allowed catcher Welington Castillo and reliever Daniel Hudson to walk, then reconstructed the coaching corps. Now, the Arizona catching core looks like Jeff Mathis, Chris Iannetta and Chris Herrmann. At this point, it is uncertain how games each player will catch.