© Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
PHOENIX — After the dust settled following the MLB trade deadline, Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen reflected on the final result and what happened behind the scenes.
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May 27, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar (21) looks on before a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
Hazen said the club was aggressive in its pursuit of trade deadline upgrades, and national reports had suggested the team was looking to add a left-handed bat and pitching help — particularly for the starting rotation. But despite those efforts, the only move Arizona made was acquiring left-handed hitter Lars Nootbaar from the St. Louis Cardinals, as other pitching targets landed with different teams.
The D-Backs general manager acknowledged the disappointment while explaining that the organization’s willingness to deal prospects had limits when it came to dipping into the major league roster.
“I wish we were able to do more,” Mike Hazen said.
He said they were close on several pitchers and just could not get there. pic.twitter.com/G6bLAlu9hJ
— Alex Weiner (@alexjweiner) August 3, 2026
“Yeah, I don’t know, we offered a lot, so all the way to the top of our farm system, etc.,” Hazen said, according to Arizona Sports’ Alex Weiner. “I had to draw the line on the Major League team on some level. There were some of those asks. Taking guys off the Major League team comes with a bigger risk. Taking guys out of the bullpen, taking younger players off the team that we need, but from a prospect standpoint, I felt like we were very aggressive.”
Hazen’s explanation offers insight into Arizona’s approach at the deadline, where the front office clearly believed in the current roster but refused to weaken it in pursuit of outside help. That roster has put itself in position to remain in the playoff race, entering Monday at 59-53 and holding the second National League Wild Card spot.
Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick near Scottsdale on Feb. 19, 2024. Credits: Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
For many fans hoping for a splashier deadline, the decision underscored the organization’s belief that the current roster is capable of reaching the postseason rather than sacrificing key contributors already in the clubhouse.
However, Hazen admitted the outcome was not what he envisioned.
“But I wish we were able to do more, obviously, with the way the team has played, but that’s the way it went,” he said.
Arizona Diamondbacks Executive Vice President and General Manager Mike Hazen talks with Senior Vice President & Assistant General Manager Amiel Sawdaye (right) during spring training practice at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale on Feb. 13, 2025. © Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
It wasn’t that the front office lacked urgency to add, but rather the high price teams demanded in negotiations. The club was willing to part with premium prospects, but it was clear those offers were not enough for other teams to move the players Arizona targeted.
With the trade deadline now in the rearview mirror, the Diamondbacks’ playoff hopes will largely rest on the core already in place, along with the return of injured players expected to provide a late-season boost.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
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