Hazen exploring moves, but 'nothing imminent'
D-backs' general manager content to wait out slow market
PHOENIX -- The D-backs have added depth to the bullpen this offseason with the acquisition of Brad Boxberger, the Rule 5 pickup of Albert Suarez and the signing of Japanese free agent Yoshihisa Hirano.
There's still more that the team would like to do, but the slow-moving free-agent and trade markets this winter have made that a challenge.
"Not a ton," D-backs GM Mike Hazen said when asked if there's been much happening since last month's Winter Meetings. "Still exploring the market and talking trades and things like that. Nothing imminent."
That doesn't mean that the D-backs will report to Spring Training next month with the same roster they have now.
"I think there will probably be some more things happening before Spring Training," Hazen said. "I'm pretty confident that will happen. We still have some areas to improve."
That includes adding some more depth in the outfield, and the team is also keeping an eye on possible long-term catching possibilities.
"I would still anticipate that the market will pick up and there will be some moves made," Hazen said.
With the D-backs looking at a franchise-record payroll for this coming year -- it projects to be around $115 million at the moment -- it would not seem like they have much flexibility to add pieces.
That could change, however, if they are able to move some salary in trades.
The D-backs have been approached about left-hander Patrick Corbin, who made $3.95 million last year and is due for a raise in arbitration this year.
And there were also reports that the D-backs at least have explored the possibility of trading right-hander Zack Greinke, who has $138.5 million left on his contract.
As to why the market is moving so slowly, Hazen was not sure.
"You never really know," he said. "I mean you focus so much on your own situation that it's hard to say what the larger forces in play are."