The D-backs have signed Red Sox Senior VP & GM Mike Hazen to a contract of "at least four years" to serve as the club's new Exec VP & GM, according to a source cited by Nick Piecoro of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. The move gives the franchise a "respected, up-and-coming GM ... from one of the game’s top franchises." Hazen was in his 11th year with the Red Sox and just "completed his first season" as the team's GM. Some rival execs "privately expressed wariness" about the D-backs' opening given the team's recent "front office instability." The D-backs, who "kept their interview process under wraps, are thought to have interviewed eight candidates before settling on Hazen." Among those "believed to be interviewed" were MLB Senior VP/Baseball Operations Kim Ng, MLB Senior VP/Baseball Operations Peter Woodfork, Royals VP & Assistant GM of Player Personnel J.J. Picollo, Dodgers VP/Baseball Operations Alex Anthopoulos, Cubs Senior VP/Scouting & Player Development Jason McLeod and internal candidates Dir of Player Development Mike Bell and Assistant GM Bryan Minniti (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 10/17). CBS SPORTS' R.J. Anderson noted Hazen's "motivation for jumping" to the D-backs is "presumably rooted in wanting more authority." Anderson: "The big question is how long will Hazen last. Arizona's ownership is notoriously difficult to work with" (CBSSPORTS.com, 10/16). D-backs President & CEO Derrick Hall "spoke of searching for a lengthy resume and varied experience" after Senior VP & GM Dave Stewart was fired earlier this month. Meanwhile, former Chief Baseball Officer Tony La Russa will "remain with the club in an advisory capacity" (MLB.com, 10/16).
THE NEXT STEP: In Boston, Alex Speier notes Hazen leaving the Red Sox raises the "possibility of a further round of changes inside the Red Sox front office that could reach down to the dugout." The process by which the D-backs hired Hazen "moved quickly." A MLB source said that the D-backs "reached out to the Red Sox at the end of the regular season" after parting ways with Stewart. Hall "requested and was given permission to interview Hazen, who interviewed in Arizona on Friday." One source said that Hazen "isn't prohibited from hiring members of the Red Sox organization, though he did make it clear to team officials that he has no intention." Speier notes it "remains to be seen how the Red Sox will address the void Hazen leaves." The team is losing an exec whose "ability to blend the realms of scouting, player development, and analytics made him an enormous asset over the last 11 seasons" (BOSTON GLOBE, 10/17). Also in Boston, Evan Drellich cites sources as saying that the Red Sox will "promote from within." Red Sox VP/Amateur & Int'l Scouting Amiel Sawdaye and Senior VP & Assistant GM Brian O'Halloran are "both qualified candidates," and Sawdaye is "viewed by some outside executives as the best fit." Drellich notes Hazen's importance under Red Sox President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski "should not be undersold" (BOSTON HERALD, 10/17). USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale tweeted Red Sox Senior VP/Baseball Operations Frank Wren "now becomes leading candidate to be promoted and become #Redsox GM" (TWITTER, 10/16).
MAN OF MANY HATS: ESPN BOSTON's Scott Lauber noted Hazen's "expertise in multiple areas allowed him to bridge the scouting and analytic branches of the organization." Lauber: "It wouldn't be surprising to see Hazen bring at least one member of the front office to serve as his assistant general manager" (ESPN.com, 10/16). In Providence, Brian MacPherson notes the move for Hazen is a "lateral one on paper but not in practical terms." Hazen will "head the baseball-operations department in Arizona, reporting directly" to Hall (PROVIDENCE JOURNAL, 10/17). WEEI.com's Rob Bradford noted with Dombrowski "having held on to virtually all" of former Red Sox GM Ben Cherington's group, the "vast majority of those in the offices have more of a connection to Hazen than the current president" (WEEI.com, 10/16).
