Mike Hazen changes face of Diamondbacks
The trade wasn’t a lead story. It happened late on the night of Nov. 23, between two teams in the Pacific Time Zone.
Headed to the Mariners were shortstop Jean Segura, a five-year veteran who had just batted .313, and outfielder Mitch Haniger, who was a month shy of his 26th birthday and had just 74 games above Double-A.
Headed to the Diamondbacks were thunder Taijuan Walker, who was just 24 but carried a below-average 4.18 ERA through 357 innings, and shortstop Ketel Marte, who was coming off a disastrous 2016 season but was still just 23.
“It was a traditional baseball trade,” Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto said. “Four players who were under (club) control. No money moving. It was all about baseball talent, and how that talent was evaluated, and a building tool for two teams looking at the long term.”
The 2017 Mariners remained in the American League wild card race into mid-September, even though their pitching staff had been so strafed by injury that they had used a record 40 different pitchers, including 17 starters.
But for the Diamondbacks, it was one of the many subtle additions that GM Mike Hazen and his front office made to take a team that had won 69 games in 2016 to one of the best records in the National League.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der October 06 2017-Ausgabe von Baseball America.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der October 06 2017-Ausgabe von Baseball America.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
HOW THE MAJORS HAVE CHANGED FOR YOUNG PLAYERS
When negotiating the 2022 Collective Bargaining Agreement, the MLB Players Association prioritized the earning power of young major league players, especially young stars.
ORGANIZATION REPORTS
Blaze Alexander entered spring training as a long shot to make the team, but there he was on March 28, starting and batting seventh in the D-backs’ Opening Day lineup.
BLAST FROM THE PAST
Louisville Slugger makes Prime bat 30% harder by dipping into 1902 company patent
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
After narrowly missing the NCAA Tournament last year, UC Irvine is determined to finish strong
MORE HARM THAN GOOD?
Dramatically scaling back young pitchers’ workloads has failed to keep them healthier
GEM COLLECTOR
In just four years, Diamond Baseball Holdings has become the most powerful owner ever in Minor League Baseball. What is the plan for their 33 teams—and counting?
LIFE AFTER AFFILIATED BALL
For many minor league teams that lost their MLB affiliations, it has been business as usual— with some unexpected benefits
EARNING POWER
A dramatic upgrade to playing conditions for minor leaguersincluding pay, housing and nutrition has made pro baseball economically viable for all players
NOBODY'S PERFECT
No. 1 prospect Jackson Holliday has one flaw in an otherwise airtight profile
ORGANIZATION REPORTS
At nearly every level of his professional career, outfielder Colton Cowser has taken time to acclimate. His major league debut last season was no different.