D-backs’ Hazen explains Goldschmidt trade after Machado’s decision

The San Diego Padres made the biggest splash of the offseason on Tuesday when they reportedly agreed to a deal with All-Star infielder Manny Machado worth a record-breaking 10-year, $300 million contract.

For the Arizona Diamondbacks, this signing brings in the obvious challenge of having to deal with one of the game’s best players in the division for the foreseeable future.

Machado’s decision has also brought D-backs general manager Mike Hazen the challenge of being asked a flurry of questions on why the D-backs decided to part ways with All-Star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt.

“When you look at a deal like [Machado], you have to ask yourself — he’s a great player, there’s no doubt about it. Paul Goldschmidt’s a great player. We love great players. You want to have a ton of great players,” Hazen told Doug & Wolf on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station. “Are you one great player from making the World Series? We had Paul Goldschmidt last year, we didn’t make the playoffs. I think when you look at that from the entirety of your 25-man roster, yes, you want to keep every Paul Goldschmidt you possibly can.”

The D-backs lost three former All-Stars this offseason and have been on the receiving end all sorts of criticism. Even with the subtractions, Hazen and others associated with the D-backs have been consistent on not calling this a complete rebuild.

“I think the challenge for us constructing a roster that’s going to take down the Giants or the Dodgers or the Rockies, we need 25 guys,” Hazen said. “In the end, I don’t think we were one player away from taking that down last year.

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