On Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, Mike Hazen made his first significant transaction as general manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
In a five-player trade with the Seattle Mariners, the Diamondbacks acquired Taijuan Walker and 23-year old shortstop Ketel Marte. Jerry Dipoto, general manager of the Mariners, received second basemen Jean Segura, outfielder Mitch Haniger and reliever Zac Curtis.
Say what you want about the talent of Segura and Haniger, but Hazen wanted to acquire starting pitching.
“Obviously, Jean is a great fit for them and was for us, but in order for us to get a starting pitcher the caliber of Taijuan, we felt like this was the opportunity we had to take, given the market,” Hazen said.