The Arizona Diamondbacks have appointed Mike Hazen as their new general manager and executive vice president, the team announced Sunday.
Arizona Diamondbacks @DbacksThe #Dbacks have named Mike Hazen their Executive Vice President & General Manager.
"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."
And Hazen noted, per the team's official Twitter account: "I’m extremely grateful for this incredible opportunity to help the [Diamondbacks] 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 the the team's 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 a director of player development and amateur scouting before becoming the 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:
Jon Heyman @JonHeymanHazen was really an ass't GM in Boston (tho had GM title). People say he's ready. Will add stat emphasis to AZ equation.
Buster Olney of ESPN added:
Buster Olney @Buster_ESPNMike Hazen a great hire by the Diamondbacks. Now he needs full and unwavering support of his bosses as he navigates tough road ahead.
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.
One of Hazen's first major decisions will be appointing a manager. Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe speculated on one potential hire:
Nick Cafardo @nickcafardoNew DBacks GM Mike Hazen is very close to Torey Lovullo. He's likely to be strongly considered for managers job in AZ
Torey Lovullo was Boston's bench coach this past season. If Hazen doesn't pursue Lovullo—or if Lovullo isn't interested in the position—Bob Nightengale of USA Today floated the name of another potential manager:
Bob Nightengale @BNightengaleThe #Dbacks,of course,have the perfect in-house managerial candidate in Phil Nevin,who draws rave reviews, if Hazen doesn't bring in Lovullo
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.
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