Mike Hazen to Diamondbacks: Latest Contract Details, Comments and Reaction
The Arizona Diamondbacks have appointed Mike Hazen as their new general manager and executive vice president, the team announced Sunday.
"We feel very strongly that we have found the ideal candidate to lead our baseball operations," managing general partner Ken Kendrick said in a statement, via the Boston Herald. "Mike's reputation throughout the game is impeccable, and his championship experience gives us great confidence in naming him to this position."
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And Hazenย noted, per the team's official Twitterย account: "Iโm extremely grateful for this incredible opportunity to help the [Diamondbacks]ย reach the next level."
"I'm excited for these challenges...if we can execute in the decision-making process, I believe we will reach our goals," Hazen said Monday, per theย the team'sย Twitter.
"Our goal is to win a championship again," Hazen continued. "That's what we're going to set out to do on Day 1."
The 40-year-old had been with the Boston Red Sox since the 2006 season. He served as aย director of player development and amateur scouting before becoming theย assistant general manager under Ben Cherington. He was then named the team's senior vice president and general manager under Dave Dombrowski in Sept. 2015.
Jon Heyman of Today's Knuckleball had more on the hire:
Buster Olney of ESPN added:
Turning around the Diamondbacks won't be easy, as the team hasn't had a winning season since 2011 and went 69-93 this past season.ย
One of Hazen's first major decisions will be appointing a manager. Nick Cafardo of theย Boston Globeย speculated on one potential hire:
Torey Lovullo was Boston's bench coach this past season. If Hazen doesn't pursueย Lovulloโor ifย Lovullo isn't interested in the positionโBob Nightengale ofย USA Todayย floated the name of another potential manager:
It will be the first of many big decisions to come for Hazen as he looks to turn the Diamondbacks into a contender in the highly competitive National League West.
You can follow Timothy Rapp onย Twitter.
