Trade deadline different this year for D-backs, GM Mike Hazen

As the MLB trade deadline was just a few hours away Wednesday, the Diamondbacks had not made any moves with their big trading pieces like Robbie Ray and Zack Greinke.

“I would not anticipate anything today that you would expect to have happen,” D-backs GM Mike Hazen told 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station’s Doug & Wolf on Wednesday.

Hazen said he’s been receiving a crazy amount of inbound calls and text messages about all areas of the D-backs’ roster, but this year’s deadline is much different than years past.

“The action is different because in the past we’ve been dead buyers,” he said. “In the past we wouldn’t entertain conversations about our Major League team.”

Despite admitting the team has a flawed roster, when asked when he decided they would be sellers, Hazen responded by saying he hasn’t declared they would be.

Hazen also said he doesn’t believe the team is at the center of the deadline. He does think the amount of pitching available brings in a lot of interest which puts them in that conversation.

When talking about Ray, who is arguably the D-backs’ most rumored deadline name, the GM said it’s hard to say what may transpire with the pitcher who he regards as one of the best in the league.

“When you make a trade, you have to understand you’re giving up that impact, that opportunity and value to your Major League team if you’re not replacing it in-hand, which is typically difficult, trading a one-for-one at the Major League level,” he said.

This becomes even more difficult when trying to make a deal with a playoff contending team who does not want to part ways with guys on their Major League roster.

Hazen also said the team is under no restrictions as to how they present trades to D-backs president Derrick Hall and managing general partner Ken Kendrick.

They’ve been told to do their jobs.

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