D-backs CEO Derrick Hall: ‘We’re going to look to improve the team if we can’
Aug 25, 2015, 9:31 AM | Updated: 8:42 pm
Admit it, you’re surprised.
Nearing the end of August, the Arizona Diamondbacks are still in the thick of the National League West race. After Monday’s 5-3 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at Chase Field, Arizona stands just 5.5 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the division standings.
While the D-backs didn’t make any moves at the July 31 trade deadline, their CEO says they are always exploring improving their roster before the August 31 waiver wire deal deadline.
“We’re still looking and we’re looking at names every day,” Derrick Hall told Doug and Wolf Tuesday on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. “We see ourselves in this, which is fun to be able to say here on August 25 and with there being 34 games left.
“We’re going to look to improve the team if we can. We’re watching the wires and we’re talking about possible trades. We’re always doing that.”
The Diamondbacks’ presence in the division race is more a result of the Dodgers stumbling then it is their own play. Los Angeles is just 9-11 in August and have lost five straight heading into a three-game series in Cincinnati that starts Tuesday night. Arizona is 12-11 this month and had won four straight against the Reds over last week before dropping the opener against the Cardinals.
Regardless, the reality is the Diamondbacks are still within striking distance.
“I don’t think it changes our approach any from where we were a couple weeks back when we talked about this. We don’t want to do anything that mortgages our future,” Hall said. “If we’re going to make any move whatsoever, it’s going to be one that helps us this year, but also prepares us for the next couple of years.
“We see ourselves building something that is sustainable here.”
Another possibility for roster help is the minor leagues. The Diamondbacks, like every other team in the majors, can expand their roster to 40 players on September 1.
“At this point, where we are, you look at if (the minor leaguers) can help,” Hall said. “That’s really the question. If they can help, you get them up here. I think we’re going to make moves that are going to help us this year.”
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