D-backs GM Mike Hazen leaves door open for team to be buyers at trade deadline

As the MLB trade deadline approaches, Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen faces a tough decision on what the team will do.

The Diamondbacks (50-50) enter play Monday 4.5 games back of the final Wild Card spot in the National League. The team has been playing well after the All-Star break, sweeping their first series of the second half against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Hazen joined MLB Network Radio on Sunday and said he is undecided on what direction the Diamondbacks will go at the deadline. He added that most of the calls he’s getting from other teams assume they will be sellers.

“I would love nothing more than to really help the sellers by choking out the supply because the Diamondbacks players aren’t available,” Hazen said.

Multiple D-backs players are set to be free agents after this season, including All-Star Eugenio Suarez, Josh Naylor, Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly.

Suarez, one of the top potential trade targets, has been one of the top hitters in MLB, slashing .254/.326/.585 with 33 home runs and 81 RBIs.

With the D-backs playing well out of the All-Star break, Hazen said the team is in a position where they could be buyers or sellers at the deadline.

“We are in a pretty precarious situation relative to where we are in the Wild Card race where you can look at one way or the other,” Hazen said. “It’s ultimately going to be my decision on what direction that ultimately takes us.”

The Diamondbacks are back in action Monday against the Houston Astros. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. and can be head on the Arizona Sports app, 98.7 and arizonasports.com.

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