Bullpen piece still on to-do list for D-backs

January 31st, 2017

PHOENIX -- D-backs pitchers and catchers report to Salt River Fields in just two weeks, but that doesn't mean that the team is done making moves.
"We're not done," D-backs GM Mike Hazen said. "The offseason doesn't really end until Opening Day, and it seems like it's getting more and more elongated at least this year, so we're still going to try and be opportunistic where we can if the right guys are out there that fit into slots for us on our team at either certain positions or in the 'pen."
Don't expect the D-backs to acquire a starting pitcher or an outfielder, but adding another bullpen piece is a possibility.
This offseason the D-backs have added closer and Rule 5 pick to their 40-man roster, while giving Minor League invites to and .
There are several intriguing bullpen arms still available, including lefties and along with righties like , Joe Blanton and former D-back .
"There are still some guys out there that we're engaged with, talking to, getting a feel for, and I know other teams are as well," Hazen said when asked about the reliever market. "So we'll see how the market continues to progress. There are guys out there."
The D-backs last week held organizational meetings that included amateur and professional scouts, the player development staff, Minor League managers and coaches and the big league coaching staff.
For Hazen, who was hired in October, it was his first opportunity to get everybody in the same room at the same time.
"It's good for me definitely to get to know everybody," Hazen said. "There are certain groups you spend more time with during the course of the year and certain groups you spend less time with. You have player development and the big league staff in Spring Training with you for six, eight weeks, so you get to spend a lot of time with those guys. Whereas unless you're able to get out on the road a lot, you don't get to spend a lot of time with the amateur guys or international guys. So I think it's important for us to be able to sit in their meetings and get to know them a little bit and how they work."