Diamondbacks’ Derrick Hall downplays Mike Hazen-Red Sox rumors
Though General Manager Mike Hazen’s name has been linked to a similar opening with the Boston Red Sox, Diamondbacks President and CEO Derrick Hall suggested Monday that an extension for Hazen to remain in Arizona is more likely than the organization granting permission for him to interview elsewhere.
Hazen, who spent 11 years in the Red Sox organization before becoming Diamondbacks GM prior to the 2017 season, is under contract through next season on a deal that includes a club option for 2025.
“They haven’t contacted me,” Hall said of the Red Sox. “And I hope they don’t. He’s under contract and we like him.”
Hall said the subject of an extension already had come up in conversation between him and Hazen prior to the Red Sox firing Chaim Bloom as their chief baseball officer last week.
“He and I are always having conversations about his future,” Hall said. “He’s got a full year, then a club option on top of that, so there’s still plenty of time on the contract. I can’t envision us going a different direction with what he’s built and his (leadership) team, too. Having Mike and (assistant general manager) Amiel (Sawdaye) has certainly been a plus. I’m more than willing to have conversations with him at any point.”
Hall was asked what the Diamondbacks would say if Hazen were interested in talking with the Red Sox.
“That would be a tough one,” Hall said. “I feel like we both negotiated a contract for a reason; contracts protect him just as they protect us. He’s aware of that. He’s meant a lot to this franchise. I really like the situation he has navigated and created here, so I just can’t see us going in a different direction.”
ESPN’s Buster Olney reported on Sunday that Hazen’s name is being discussed within the Red Sox organization as a possible successor to Bloom.
Hazen was unavailable for comment on Monday.
Pitching mechanics: For Diamondbacks and Torey Lovullo, no room for error with starting rotation
Hazen led the Diamondbacks to a postseason appearance in his first year running the club in 2017 and fielded competitive teams that ultimately fell short of the playoffs the next two seasons.
He was then unable over the following few years to thread a needle between competing and rebuilding. The Diamondbacks bottomed out in 2021, losing 110 games, before starting their path back toward contending in the second half of last year.
This year, the Diamondbacks are 79-72 and battling for a wild-card spot with 11 games remaining in the season. The turnaround has been fueled, in part, by young players whom Hazen acquired, including outfielder Corbin Carroll, a 2019 first-round pick, and catcher Gabriel Moreno, whom the club landed in a trade last December.
Hazen built a farm system that was among the most highly regarded in baseball over the past few years. He fell short, however, with some of his more high-profile moves, including the trades of Paul Goldschmidt and Zack Greinke and the signing of left-hander Madison Bumgarner.
Hazen has dealt with tragedy in his personal life during his time in Arizona. His wife, Nicole, died in August 2022, more than two years after she was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.
Hall said he did not want to speak for him but said he gets the sense Hazen enjoys being in Arizona.
“From conversations we’ve had, he’s very happy here,” Hall said. “I know his family is very happy here, and, again, what he’s building and the team he’s put around him, he’s invested a lot here. My feeling is, he wants to stay here and make it work.”
Hazen’s last extension also was worked out shortly after the Red Sox had an opening at general manager. Days after the Red Sox fired Dave Dombrowski in September 2019, Hazen had an additional three years, plus the team option, tacked onto his original five-year contract.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Diamondbacks’ Derrick Hall downplays Mike Hazen-Red Sox rumors
