Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen shares trade deadline plans

General manager Mike Hazen sat down with Arizona Sports and summed it up perfectly when he said the club has “left a lot of meat on the bone.” At 42-42, Arizona isn’t buried in the standings, but it also hasn’t played anywhere close to its ceiling. That reality makes the upcoming trade deadline less about acquiring talent and more about determining whether this roster deserves additional investment. Hazen has been vocal that Arizona will be buyers at the deadline, though.

The offense has struggled but also gotten the job done at times throughout the season. The bigger issue recently has been a pitching staff that has fallen well short of expectations. Zac Gallen has looked nothing like the ace who once anchored Arizona’s postseason run. Merrill Kelly has also struggled, posting a 5-8 record. Meanwhile, injuries have stripped away valuable depth as Michael Soroka is working back from a strained left glute and Ryne Nelson is sidelined with an elbow injury. Corbin Burnes’ comeback, meanwhile, remains uncertain following another setback in his Tommy John recovery.

Those aren’t just unfortunate circumstances; they’re defining Arizona’s season. For Hazen, buying at the deadline only makes sense if this rotation shows signs of life over the next few weeks. Trading prospects for reinforcements is easier when the foundation is stable. Right now, it isn’t. The encouraging part is that pitching can change quickly. One mechanical adjustment, one confidence-building outing, or one healthy arm returning can reshape an entire rotation. The Diamondbacks don’t necessarily need blockbuster additions. They need their biggest names to pitch like their biggest names. If that happens, Hazen can confidently push his chips toward October. If it doesn’t, Arizona’s trade deadline should become about preserving the future instead of chasing the present.