Red Sox have not called D-backs about GM Mike Hazen, Derrick Hall says

The Boston Red Sox have not called the Arizona Diamondbacks expressing interest in speaking with general manager Mike Hazen regarding their search for a front office leader, D-backs CEO and president Derrick Hall told Doug & Wolf on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

Hall added that Hazen has not expressed interest or discussed pursuing the Boston job opening, either.

“First and foremost, it’s good we haven’t had to worry about (losing Hazen) because we have not received a call,” Hall said Thursday. “It’s a very unique situation. We care deeply about Mike. He’s family. We believe he’s very happy here, he’s got a plan here. I want to see him follow that plan through, not only to finish but to continue beyond what he would consider finishing the plan because it never does end — and he’s building something here that’s very special.

“We’ll cross that bridge if and when we have to. Fortunately, we haven’t had to.”

Hazen, who is from Massachusetts, joined the Red Sox as director of player development in 2006 and advanced his way to become general manager in 2015. Until Hazen joined the D-backs before the 2017 season, he worked in Boston as the top executive under president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, who was fired Monday.

“I’m human and I realize he’s from there, his family is from there, it was his childhood team — what a dream to work for them for over a decade,” Hall said. “There’s a part of him that has a strong appeal toward that franchise. That’s human nature, I get it.”

The D-backs have gone 250-220 in three years under Hazen’s leadership with an NL Wild Card win and NLDS series loss in 2017.

Hall told Doug & Wolf that while he holds the right to keep the Red Sox from speaking with Hazen, he would have a conversation with his GM if either side expressed interest.

“If he were to come to me with that kind of a statement, that would mean first and foremost, that they have reached out, that they have expressed interest and he has an interest in pursuing it,” Hall said. “But at this point, I have not heard that from either side. I know he is so focused at the job at hand and the task at hand.

“It’s (a situation) that could change if we get a phone call where we really do have to have that frank conversation. Our focus on this, just like yours, says one thing clearly: We made the right hire and he’s a very good general manager. We’re heading in the right direction.”

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