With trade deadline in the rear-view, D-backs aim for future

As the 2021 MLB trade deadline has come and gone, the Arizona Diamondbacks made two key moves involving veteran players.

The club traded All-Star infielder Eduardo Escobar to the Milwaukee Brewers for prospects Cooper Hummel and Alberto Ciprian, and shipped reliever Joakim Soria to the Toronto Blue Jays for two players to be named later.

Following the deadline, D-backs general manager Mike Hazen discussed how the trades went down and the future of the organization.

“We made the decision that we weren’t going to just make trades to move money,” he said. “We were going to make the trades if they presented themselves.”

Hazen said it was important the D-backs didn’t make trades that were for “little-to-nothing” and also said the team won’t move a player just for money reasons in the future.

He also added that the team didn’t go “hunting” for any deals prior to the deadline.

When asked about the future, Hazen said the team will have ample opportunities for young players.

He said that majority of the D-backs pitchers currently at Triple-A Reno have spent time in the majors.

“The core of our rotation and lineup is going to be here,” Hazen said.

As the D-backs have built a foundation of young players over the years, Hazen said he would be skeptical to trade a young, core guy and would rather build the team around them.

With just two months left in the season, he said it’s important the team tries to make strides in its development.

Currently, with the worst record in the majors, the D-backs hold the No. 1 pick in the upcoming MLB draft.

However, that’s not a concern to Hazen, who said he can’t control where Arizona picks, but can control who they select.

“I think going out there to win baseball games every night is important,” Hazen said. “We have the lowest amount of wins in baseball and it’s not acceptable.

Follow @sam_graveline