As we get ready to head into a new year and a new season, we thought it would be a good time to check in with D-backs CEO/team president Derrick Hall to get his thoughts on the state of the organization, the young core that is reaching the big leagues, the performance of GM Mike Hazen and plans for Chase Field.

MLB.com: Derrick, you guys didn't make the playoffs last year but made a 22-win improvement from the year before. How do you feel about the progress the team made?

Derrick Hall: I am pleased with the improvement, but we need to consistently compete for a postseason position. We are all disappointed when we finish where we did. However, 22 wins is a major step forward and l would give a great deal of credit to momentum we caught once we promoted the younger talent from the Minor Leagues. They showed tremendous confidence and made adjustments along the way. Their comfort level next season and familiarity with the opposition and their visiting ballparks will go a long way.

MLB.com: D-backs fans have been hearing about the young talent in the farm system for a few years now and last year got to see a number of them make their debuts. What was it like for ownership to see the success that so many of them had and what have you heard from fans about the young core?

Hall: I am excited about these young players. When we hired Mike [Hazen] in 2017, we told him how much we were prioritizing an overhaul of our farm system. As a result of their successful Drafts and development at all levels, we went from the worst group of Minor League talent to a top five system. This is who we need to be to compete. We need to scout, draft and develop as flawlessly as possible. And there is much more depth beyond the players who have already arrived. It is nice for our fans to see them and the talk of them coming to fruition. I have heard from hundreds of fans who are bullish on the future and are begging us to continue in this direction.

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MLB.com: How do you feel about the job Hazen and the baseball operations department have done over the last couple of years?

Hall: I really like this group and believe in their skills and talents immensely. They are as bright and creative as any baseball ops group in the game. And they are family. With all that Mike was going through, they picked him up and never missed a beat. And credit to him, as his commitment to the job never waned. Their hard work is deserving of some soon-to-be rewards on the field. They are positioning us for sustainability in my opinion.

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MLB.com: How are things going with repairs to the roof at Chase Field? Will it be able to be opened and closed during games next year?

Hall: We have a long maintenance plan for the entire building. We cannot address the roof concerns for another year due to offseason events such as concerts, the bowl game and the World Baseball Classic schedule. However, we can still decide before fans enter the gates whether the roof should be opened or closed, so the experience should be the same. We are also looking for ways to enhance the overall experience by locations and destinations within Chase Field, to modernize the 25-year-old ballpark. We want to bring it up to speed in the next few years when it comes to premium offerings and state-of-the-art technology and amenities.