Currently viewing the tag: "Mike Hazen"

A New Analytics Vision Quickly Taking Shape in Arizona

On December 12, 2016 By

It doesn’t seem all that long ago that Kevin Towers was relieved of his duties and we all did the happy dance, more or less. Sure, Tony La Russa might have been an unconventional choice as a pseudo replacement, but he had a pretty compelling on-field record to back up the logic. The appointment of Dave Stewart was maybe a …

Continue Reading →

Welington Castillo Out, Jeff Mathis In: Fighting the D-backs’ Biggest Problem

On December 5, 2016 By

Let’s say you took over a baseball club with a recent history of some severe struggles. The main culprit, it appears, is pitching—only a handful of pitchers have broken through for the team in recent memory, and most have done quite a bit worse than expected. The fact that many pitchers have struggled at the same time has caused a …

Continue Reading →

Taijuan Walker a Sign of Smarter Pitching Strategy

On November 25, 2016 By

Weeks after Tyler Wagner was disappeared off waivers by the Rangers, former GM Dave Stewart’s signature acquisition, Jean Segura, was parceled off to Seattle. With Segura went Mitch Haniger, half of the return former GM Kevin Towers extracted from Milwaukee in the last throes of his reign. In exchange? Taijuan Walker, the pitcher that Towers didn’t get for Justin Upton …

Continue Reading →

Getting to Know Torey Lovullo

On November 15, 2016 By

The hot stove is heating up, but not in Arizona. There was no one to extend a qualifying offer to, though old friend Jeremy Hellickson accepted one from the Phillies and that created some waves. The Diamondbacks gave away outfielder Justin Williams, now one of Tampa Bay’s top prospects, and shortstop Andrew Velazquez, who’s had his last two …

Continue Reading →

The D-backs Have a Currency Deficiency

On November 11, 2016 By

Everyone wants to know what Mike Hazen is going to do. I’d throw my hat in that ring, too, but I understand that he’s had a boatload of work to do in reworking the front office and coaching staff. There’s been more turnover than just about anyone anticipated and filling those holes — re-crafting Arizona’s decision-making nucleus — has rightfully …

Continue Reading →

Major Challenges Ahead for Mike Hazen

On November 3, 2016 By

While a couple teams were busy trying to win a World Series crown, something the Cubs actually accomplished in what may be the greatest baseball game we’ll ever witness, the Diamondbacks have been working in the background to continue their overhaul under new GM Mike Hazen. There’s plenty of room for optimism with Hazen at the helm because, a) he’s …

Continue Reading →

New GM Mike Hazen Raises Hopes and Expectations

On October 17, 2016 By

There was once a time when the hiring of Tony La Russa to oversee the Diamondbacks’ baseball functions seemed like a major victory. Oh my, does that seem like a long time ago. After Kevin Towers’ blunders, largely being hell-bent on acquiring certain player types that didn’t seem to fit the club’s home park and prioritized offense over defense, just …

Continue Reading →