Hazen: D-backs 'very hopeful' to be buyers at Deadline

With the MLB Trade Deadline fewer than 50 days away, there are plenty of intriguing teams on the bubble that could significantly alter the trade market.

Perhaps no team is more interesting than the Diamondbacks, who entered Sunday’s games with a 36-34 record and 2 1/2 games back of an NL Wild Card spot. Arizona is clearly in the race, but given the competition in the NL West and the amount of impending free agents the D-backs have, there are some tough decisions coming up.

“I certainly think we’re going to have to address our pitching come July,” D-backs executive vice president and general manager Mike Hazen said in an MLB Network Radio interview on SiriusXM. “We have a lot of baseball to play between now and then, and I’m very hopeful that our team is going to put us in a position to be buying.”

The D-backs entered Sunday with a top five offense by both runs scored (359) and home runs (101), but it’s been a different story on the pitching front. Arizona pitchers rank 24th with a 4.71 ERA, with D-backs starters ranking 24th with a 4.44 ERA and their relievers ranking 27th with a 5.14 ERA.

Injuries haven't helped. Right-hander Corbin Burnes, signed to a big deal by the D-backs this past offseason, will miss the rest of the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. So will closer Justin Martinez.

“Look, as long as we’re playing well, and I believe that this team has the gas in the tank to go get it, we’re going to try to add to this team," Hazen said.

In the event that Arizona does sell, few teams have as many valuable players that could be moved. On the offensive side of things, Eugenio Suárez, Josh Naylor, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (opt out) and Randal Grichuk (mutual option) could all reach free agency this offseason. In terms of pitchers, Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly are impending free agents that could net serious returns.

Hazen, however, seems hesitant on the idea of selling.

“I don’t really find it all that fun to sit there in August and September and go to the ballpark every day knowing you’re going to get your butt kicked,” Hazen said. “I’ve done that for a few seasons and it stinks and I have no intention to really go and do that.

“Now, I’m not an idiot. If we’re not in a position and we take on more injuries and our depth gets thinned out to the point where it’s going to be hard for us to cobble something together to chase into a Wild Card race and we are behind five different clubs, [that could change] with what the National League is.”

Enjoyed the info from this interview? Get 3 Months Free and listen to SiriusXM MLB Network Radio and much more. Visit *www.siriusxm.com/mlbnr* for offer details.