LOS ANGELES — Having moved on from Pavin Smith, whom the Diamondbacks officially designated for ***** ignment on Friday afternoon, July 10, general manager Mike Hazen said he is on the lookout for help at first base, though he did not sound as if he expected anything to come together in the immediate future.
"I'm at the mercy of the market in some of those cases," Hazen said. "I can't really tell. At this point, given the amount of teams in the playoff races on both sides, I can't see the trade market heating up before the end of the month."
Hazen said he is looking into any type of potential fit — rentals, multiyear big leaguers, even younger players.
"We're exploring all those things," he said. "We are having all those conversations. But I have no idea where anything can land."
How their pursuit of a first baseman is impacted by their overall direction at the deadline remains to be seen. At 46-47 entering their July 10 game here against the Dodgers, the Diamondbacks were 5 1/2 games out of a wild-card spot. They were tied with the San Diego Padres and would need to clear four other teams to be in playoff position.
"I'm at the mercy of the market in some of those cases," Hazen said. "I can't really tell. At this point, given the amount of teams in the playoff races on both sides, I can't see the trade market heating up before the end of the month."
Hazen said he is looking into any type of potential fit — rentals, multiyear big leaguers, even younger players.
"We're exploring all those things," he said. "We are having all those conversations. But I have no idea where anything can land."
How their pursuit of a first baseman is impacted by their overall direction at the deadline remains to be seen. At 46-47 entering their July 10 game here against the Dodgers, the Diamondbacks were 5 1/2 games out of a wild-card spot. They were tied with the San Diego Padres and would need to clear four other teams to be in playoff position.
4 months ago
