Mike Hazen would rather be buying than selling at the Trade Deadline, but what Arizona can actually do may come down to the next three weeks.
That was the big picture from a recent Reddit AMA with Steve, who said the Diamondbacks’ decision-making will be shaped by where the club sits closer to the deadline. He noted that first base looks like an obvious need, and that the rotation could also force the issue depending on health and performance. The bullpen, for now, appears in decent shape, though Hazen usually likes to add more arms there anyway.
Hazen’s approach, according to the AMA, is clear: he is willing to deal from a strong farm system, but only if the return is a player with more than just short-term control. Rental pieces do not seem to be the type of target he prefers.
The conversation also touched on Druw Jones, and the message there was that the Diamondbacks still believe in him. Jones has an OPS of .744 after a strong June, a sign he has rebounded from a rough start. His defense in center remains elite, and from that side of the game, Steve said he could play in the big leagues right now.
Asked about other names to track, he pointed to infielder Demetrio Crisantes, David Hagaman - who came over in the Merrill Kelly trade - and a pair of Double-A right-handers, Ashton Izzi and Daniel Eagen. He said there are more, but those were some of the prospects not yet up in the majors that fans should keep on their radar.
On Torey Lovullo, the tone was much the same: plenty of fan frustration, but no sign that a change is coming. Steve said he does not like the “fire the manager” idea in general, arguing that players are the ones who have to produce on the field. In his view, managers usually become the easy target when teams struggle.
He added that a manager should only be replaced if effort is lacking or if the clubhouse is gone - players tuning him out or showing disrespect. He does not think that is the case in Arizona.
Lovullo’s job security came up again in a follow-up question about criticism from fans over lineup choices and his use of players such as Pavin Smith, Adrian Del Castillo, Jose Herrera and Jorge Barrosa. Steve said some of that anger is understandable because people want the team to play better, but he also stressed that Lovullo can only work with the roster he has. First base, he noted, has not produced much this year, and Lovullo has already tried several players there without finding a real answer.
Steve said Hazen knows exactly what he has handed Lovullo and appreciates how the manager communicates with players and keeps things steady during difficult stretches. He pointed to last season, when Hazen sold at the Deadline but the Diamondbacks still stayed above .500 afterward, as evidence that Lovullo had a strong grip on the clubhouse.
Lovullo is in the final year of his contract, but Steve said he does not get the sense that Hazen wants to make a managerial change.
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