GM Hazen waiting to assess full roster
– Right-hander Shelby Miller will make his first start of the year on Monday in Miami. Soon after, lefty Robbie Ray and right-hander Randall Delgado also will rejoin the pitching staff, and, at some point, they’ll be joined on the roster by outfielders Steven Souza Jr. and A.J. Pollock.
These are the additions General Manager Mike Hazen needs to see before deciding what other additions will need to be made in advance of next month’s non-waiver trade deadline.
“It’s hard to talk about what changes or upgrades or improvements need to be made to the club until you see the club in action,” Hazen said Thursday afternoon. “And we haven’t seen the club in action all year.
“I’d like to see those five guys come back and then assess. I’m assuming we’re going to need to make some adjustments, but I’d like to see that first.”
Hazen doesn’t expect the club to be overly active on the trade front over the next few weeks, unless a deal materializes that the Diamondbacks can’t refuse. More than likely, though, he thinks the team will let things play out closer to the deadline, perhaps waiting to see what needs arise, either due to lack of performance or injury.
The Diamondbacks already have been linked to one high-profile player, Orioles infielder Manny Machado, a connection that Hazen didn’t exactly confirm or deny other than to note the number of conversations he’s already had with rival general managers.
“I’ve probably talked to 25 of the 30 GMs already,” Hazen said. “You ask about everything, right? Anybody that’s available, you have to at least talk about and see where there could be a fit, keep us in mind in the future if something comes up, those types of things.”
That said, Hazen seemed to believe the pitching staff would be the more likely area of focus. And with Miller back next week, Ray perhaps following him five days later and Delgado seemingly on the cusp of his own return, Hazen expects to have enough time to evaluate the staff’s needs. And he figures the timing should mesh well with the way the market tends to operate.
“Most of the bullpen adjustments/acquisitions usually happen toward the end of July,” he said. “I’m guessing that’s the way it’s going to happen again this year.”
Assuming closer Brad Boxberger’s recent struggles are just a blip, the club seems well-positioned at the back of the bullpen from the right side, what with Archie Bradley and Yoshihisa Hirano in the midst of strong seasons. Left-hander Andrew Chafin has thrown well – albeit not always in the bigPITTSBURGH gest spots – and left-hander Jorge De La Rosa has struggled, making it seem like another lefty reliever could be useful.
“Those are the things that we’re going to be looking at as we move through June and July,” Hazen said. “I don’t foresee those things being addressed in the short term.”
The returns of Souza and Pollock – which are likely to happen in that order – will make for a crowded outfield, but Hazen didn’t seem too concerned about how playing time will shake out.
“I think there’s going to be plenty of at-bats for everybody,” he said. “Everyone’s going to play and everyone is going to need a day or two off. That creates a lot of opportunities for other guys. I’m not too worried about it. And everybody has to stay healthy moving forward.”