Grading MLB's front offices: NL West

With the 2020 season on pause, theScore's MLB editors graded each team's front office by the moves made since Nov. 1, 2017. For executives hired following that date, only the moves they made after taking over were graded. Only the most notable transactions were considered. We finish with the National League West.

AL: EAST I CENTRAL I WEST
NL: EAST I CENTRAL I NL WEST

Arizona Diamondbacks

Executive: Mike Hazen
Title: Executive vice president and general manager
Hired: Oct. 16, 2016

The D-Backs haven't made the playoffs since 2017, the first year of Hazen's tenure. But he's kept them on the edge of contention ever since. Though he's made some mistakes in free agency, playing the market has proven to be a strength. Signing Ketel Marte to a below-market extension before his breakout season looks like a stroke of genius.

But with the notable exception of acquiring Eduardo Escobar, Hazen's trade record hasn't been fantastic. The big three-team trade to land Steven Souza Jr. blew up in his face when the outfielder played 72 games over two years, and the pieces Arizona sent away began contributing elsewhere. Several of Hazen's midseason acquisitions netted the D-Backs minimal big-league production while costing them solid prospects.

However, the jury is still out on many of Hazen's bigger moves. The controversial blockbuster trades of Paul Goldschmidt and Zack Greinke might end up better than was initially thought. Madison Bumgarner and Starling Marte haven't played for the D-Backs yet, while last summer's swap of top prospects with the Marlins remains an intriguing coin flip.

Those moves will make or break Hazen's legacy in Arizona, and he deserves the chance to see them through.

The good 👍:

• Eduardo Escobar acquired from Twins for Ernie De La Trinidad, Jhoan Duran, Gabriel Maciel
• Ketel Marte signed five-year, $24M extension
• Eduardo Escobar signed three-year, $21M extension
• Yoshihisa Hirano signed two-year, $6M deal
• Alex Avila signed two-year, $8.25M deal
• Jarrod Dyson signed two-year, $7.5M deal
• Wilmer Flores signed one-year, $4.25M deal
• Adam Jones signed one-year, $3M deal
• Stefan Crichton acquired from Orioles for PTBNL or cash
• Clay Buchholz signed one-year, $1.6M deal
• Brad Ziegler acquired from Marlins for Tommy Eveld
• Tim Locastro acquired from Yankees for Ronald Roman, cash

The bad 👎:

• Steven Souza Jr., Taylor Widener acquired in three-team trade for Brandon Drury, Anthony Banda, Sam McWilliams, Colin Poche
• Merrill Kelly signed two-year, $5.5M deal
• Greg Holland signed one-year, $3.25M deal
• Deven Marrero acquired from Red Sox for Josh Taylor
• Jon Jay acquired from Royals for Elvis Luciano, Gabe Speier
• Jake Diekman acquired from Rangers for Wei-Chieh Huang, Joshua Javier
• Matt Andriese acquired from Rays for Michael Perez, Brian Shaffer
• Blake Swihart, bonus money acquired from Red Sox for Marcus Wilson
• Brad Keller lost to Royals in 2017 Rule 5 Draft
• Victor Reyes lost to Tigers in 2017 Rule 5 Draft

TBD 🤔:

• Paul Goldschmidt traded to Cardinals for Carson Kelly, Luke Weaver, Andy Young, 2019 competitive balance pick
• Zack Greinke traded to Astros for Seth Beer, J.B. Bukauskas, Corbin Martin, Josh Rojas
• Madison Bumgarner signed five-year, $85M deal
• Starling Marte acquired from Pirates for Brennan Malone, Liover Peguero, bonus money
• Zac Gallen acquired from Marlins for Jazz Chisholm
• Mike Leake acquired from Mariners for Jose Caballero
• Stephen Vogt signed one-year, $3M deal
• Junior Guerra signed one-year, $2.65M deal
• Kole Calhoun signed two-year, $16M deal
• Hector Rondon signed one-year, $3M deal
• Matt Andriese traded to Angels for Jeremy Beasley
• Curtis Taylor traded to Rays for Brad Boxberger
• David Peralta signed three-year, $20M extension
• Nick Ahmed signed four-year, $32.5M extension

Grade: B+

Colorado Rockies

Executive: Jeff Bridich
Title: Executive vice president and general manager
Hired: Oct. 8, 2014

The Rockies were the only team that didn't sign a player to a guaranteed major-league contract this past offseason. Did Colorado's recent litany of high-priced free-agency failures lead to Bridich's winter of inaction? It's not out of the question.

Bridich's attempt to build a super-bullpen of Wade Davis, Jake McGee, and Bryan Shaw is his biggest recent blunder. Another is signing Daniel Murphy, who turned in the worst season of his career last year. As those four struggled, the free agents Bridich chose not to re-sign - DJ LeMahieu and Adam Ottavino - both made him look foolish with the Yankees.

Bridich's few trades have been questionable. The most notable misfire was sending outfielder Mike Tauchman to the Yankees - where he instantly morphed from an unknown depth piece into a slugging fan favorite - for reliever Phillip Diehl and his 7.36 ERA. The waiver wire also bit Bridich last spring when catcher Tom Murphy was claimed before turning in a solid 2019 for Seattle, leaving the Rockies with the worst production from catchers among NL teams.

While Bridich deserves credit for building playoff teams in 2017 and 2018, that run now seems like a bit of a fluke. Some of Colorado's bad contracts will be off the books soon, but there's no easy fix here - especially if the Nolan Arenado marriage can't be salvaged. Bridich has created quite the mess for himself, and he might not be the right person to fix it.

The good 👍:

• Nolan Arenado signed eight-year, $260M extension
• Trevor Story signed two-year, $27.5M extension
• Drew Butera acquired from Royals for Jerry Vasto
• Chi Chi Gonzalez signed minor-league deal
• James Pazos acquired from Phillies for Hunter Stovall
• Wes Parsons claimed off waivers from Braves
• Tyler Kinley claimed off waivers from Marlins

The bad 👎:

• Chris Iannetta signed two-year, $8.5M deal
• Jake McGee signed three-year, $27M deal
• Bryan Shaw signed three-year, $27M deal
• Wade Davis signed three-year, $52M deal
• Carlos Gonzalez signed one-year, $8M deal
• Daniel Murphy signed two-year, $24M deal
• Mike Tauchman traded to Yankees for Phillip Diehl
• Tom Murphy lost to Giants on waivers
• Brandon Brennan selected by Mariners in Rule 5 Draft

TBD 🤔:

• Seunghwan Oh acquired from Blue Jays for Chad Spanberger, Forrest Wall, Bryan Baker
• German Marquez signed five-year, $43M extension

Grade: D

Los Angeles Dodgers

Executive: Andrew Friedman
Title: President of baseball operations
Hired: Oct. 14, 2014

Most of what Friedman's touched in L.A. has turned to gold. Even the Dodgers' often head-scratching salary-dump trades have somehow paid off.

Most notably, Friedman acquired Matt Kemp from Atlanta for a whole bunch of players on expensive contracts, then used the 35-year-old's comeback 2018 season to anchor yet another payroll-clearing swap containing pieces later used to land Mookie Betts. The depth and sustainability of his farm system allows Friedman to take huge trade risks, and to even acquire superstars while holding on to his best young talent.

Friedman's choices regarding marquee free agents are a source of valid criticism. Extending the likes of Clayton Kershaw and Max Muncy is great, as is the Dodgers' mostly solid work in the bargain bin. But why does baseball's second-richest franchise, that's located in a true destination city, settle for A.J. Pollock and Joe Kelly? Obviously, Los Angeles can swallow those expensive and disappointing deals, but choosing Pollock and Kelly over Manny Machado and/or Bryce Harper is an odd look for a team of the Dodgers' stature.

Friedman's decisions this offseason can't be properly judged amid the pandemic shutdown. If the Dodgers don't pony up for Betts next winter, everything may change in a hurry. For now, the club remains a model for how to build a sustainable winner in the modern era, even if it does confound during free agency.

The good 👍:

• Matt Kemp acquired from Braves for Charlie Culberson, Adrian Gonzalez, Scott Kazmir, Brandon McCarthy, cash
• Kyle Farmer, Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig, Alex Wood traded to Reds for Jeter Downs, Josiah Gray, Homer Bailey
• Clayton Kershaw signed three-year, $93M extension
• Max Muncy signed minor-league deal
• Max Muncy signed three-year, $26M extension
• Adam Kolarek acquired from Rays for Niko Hulsizer
• David Freese acquired from Pirates for Jesus Valdez
• Russell Martin acquired from Blue Jays for Ronny Brito, Andrew Sopko
• Scott Alexander, Jake Peter acquired in three-team trade for Luis Avilan, Erick Mejia, Trevor Oaks
• Chase Utley signed two-year, $2M deal
• JT Chargois claimed off waivers from Twins
• Dylan Floro, Zach Neal, bonus money acquired from Reds for James Marinan, Aneurys Zabala
• Chris Taylor signed two-year, $13.4M extension

The bad 👎:

• A.J. Pollock signed four-year, $55M deal
• Joe Kelly signed three-year, $25M deal
• Brian Dozier acquired from Twins for Luke Raley, Logan Forsythe, Devin Smeltzer
• Ryan Madson acquired from Nationals for Andrew Istler
• Tom Koehler signed one-year, $2M deal
• Tim Locastro traded to Yankees for Drew Finley

TBD 🤔:

• Mookie Betts, David Price, cash acquired from Red Sox for Alex Verdugo, Jeter Downs, Connor Wong
• Brusdar Graterol, Luke Raley, 2020 competitive balance pick acquired from Twins for Kenta Maeda, Jair Camargo
• Manny Machado acquired from Orioles for Rylan Bannon, Yusniel Diaz, Dean Kremer, Zach Pop, Breyvic Valera
• Jedd Gyorko, bonus money acquired from Cardinals for Tony Cingrani, Jeffry Abreu
• Blake Treinen signed one-year, $10M deal
• Jimmy Nelson signed one-year, $1.25M deal
• Edubray Ramos signed minor-league deal
• Alex Wood signed one-year, $4M deal
• Casey Sadler traded to Cubs for Clayton Daniel
• Kyle Garlick traded to Phillies for Tyler Gilbert
• Logan Salow acquired from Athletics for Wilmer Font

Grade: A-

San Diego Padres

Executive: A.J. Preller
Title: Executive vice president and general manager
Hired: Aug. 5, 2014

Preller made some shrewd signings while navigating the Padres' rebuild, like inking injured pitcher Garrett Richards to a two-year deal, and taking on Phil Hughes' contract to essentially buy a draft pick. His biggest score, the surprise signing of Machado, was the move the rebuild needed at the perfect moment. By contrast, Eric Hosmer's $144-million deal has yielded a 93 wRC+ and minus-0.5 WAR through two years. At least that contract is front-loaded.

Preller's done a decent job managing assets on a rebuilding club. Claiming Greg Garcia netted the team a controllable bench piece, which is vital for an NL squad. One of Preller's better under-the-radar deals was turning Yangervis Solarte into Edward Oliveras, who went from organizational fodder into a top-20 prospect under San Diego's watch. Preller hasn't handled every asset smoothly, but there's been more good moves than even questionable ones overall.

Even if there are a few holes that still need to be filled and some trades to be evaluated over time, Preller has quieted the doubters over the last two years by rebuilding the Padres to the cusp of contention. Whatever happens, it will at least be fun watching his creation play out.

The good 👍:

• Manny Machado signed 10-year, $300M deal
• Jordan Lyles signed one-year, $1M contract
• Tyson Ross signed minor-league deal
• Craig Stammen signed two-year, $4.5M deal
• Craig Stammen re-signed two-year, $9M deal
• Greg Garcia claimed off waivers from Cardinals
• Yangervis Solarte traded to Blue Jays for Jared Carkuff, Edward Olivares
• A.J. Ellis signed minor-league deal
• Phil Hughes, competitive balance pick acquired from Twins for Janigson Villalobos
• Garrett Richards signed two-year, $15.5M deal
• Ian Kinsler signed two-year, $8M deal

The bad 👎:

• Eric Hosmer signed eight-year, $144M deal
• Jabari Blash traded to Yankees for Chase Headley, Bryan Mitchell, cash
• Enyel De Los Santos traded to Phillies for Freddy Galvis
• Kazuhisa Makita signed two-year, $3.8M deal
• Brett Nicholas acquired from Rangers for Emmanuel Clase
• Jordan Lyles lost to Brewers on waivers
• Tyson Ross lost to Cardinals on waivers
• Aaron Loup signed one-year, $1.4M deal
• Adam Warren signed one-year, $2.5M deal
• Matt Wisler acquired from Reds for Diomar Lopez
• Alex Dickerson traded to Giants for Franklin Van Gurp
• Carl Edwards Jr. acquired from Cubs for Brad Wieck

TBD 🤔:

• Francisco Mejia acquired from Indians for Adam Cimber, Brad Hand
• Victor Nova, Logan Allen, Franmil Reyes traded for Taylor Trammell in three-team deal
• Tommy Pham, Jake Cronenworth acquired from Rays for Hunter Renfroe, Xavier Edwards, Esteban Quiroz
• Eric Lauer, Luis Urias, PTBNL traded to Brewers for Zach Davies, Trent Grisham
• Drew Pomeranz signed four-year, $34M deal
• Jurickson Profar acquired from Athletics for Austin Allen, Buddy Reed
• Pierce Johnson signed two-year, $5M deal
• Emilio Pagan acquired from Rays for Manuel Margot, Logan Driscoll
• Colten Brewer traded to Red Sox for Esteban Quiroz
• Walker Lockett traded to Indians for Ignacio Feliz
• Rowan Wick traded to Cubs for Jason Vosler
• Phil Maton traded to Indians for bonus money
• Juan Lagares signed minor-league deal
• Brian Dozier signed minor-league deal

Grade: B+

San Francisco Giants

Executive: Farhan Zaidi
Title: President of baseball operations
Hired: Nov. 6, 2018

Zaidi is in a tough spot. He took the Giants' job knowing that his task - rebuilding an aging roster and dried-up farm system - wouldn't be completed overnight. He's acquitted himself well so far.

Zaidi made a couple of shrewd acquisitions early in his first season, nabbing Mike Yastrzemski from Baltimore and Kevin Pillar from Toronto for little of substance. Yastrzemski was a steal, as the career minor leaguer unexpectedly broke out as a 28-year-old rookie.

Last summer, Zaidi turned some veteran assets into sorely needed young blood. Drew Pomeranz, Mark Melancon, and Sam Dyson brought back six prospects, and those moves gave the club additional financial flexibility. He also took on Zack Cozart's onerous contract from the Angels as the cost of essentially buying top-10 prospect Will Wilson. Zaidi's tools are limited right now, but the Giants have money, and he's wisely using that to his advantage.

Time will tell if Zaidi's failure to trade Madison Bumgarner for prospects prior to last July's deadline will haunt the Giants. Unless the pandemic alters how this year's trade deadline plays out, a lot will ride on what return Zaidi gets for offseason signings (and presumed midseason trade chips) Kevin Gausman and Drew Smyly, among others.

While there's much to be decided still, Zaidi has done fine for now, and the Giants appear to be in good hands.

The good 👍:

• Mike Yastrzemski acquired from Orioles for Tyler Herb
• Mark Melancon traded to Braves for Tristan Beck, Dan Winkler
• Mauricio Dubon acquired from Brewers for Ray Black, Drew Pomeranz
• Zack Cozart, Will Wilson acquired from Angels for Garrett Williams
• Kevin Pillar acquired from Blue Jays for Juan De Paula, Alen Hanson, Derek Law
• Sam Dyson traded to Twins for Jaylin Davis, Prelander Berroa, Kai-Wei Teng
• Derek Holland signed one-year, $7M deal
• Drew Pomeranz signed one-year, $1.5M deal
• Donovan Solano signed minor-league deal
• Jandel Gustave signed minor-league deal
• Trevor Gott purchased from Nationals
• Stephen Vogt signed minor-league deal
• Alex Dickerson acquired from Padres for Franklin Van Gurp
• Scooter Gennett acquired from Reds for PTBNL

The bad 👎:

• Erik Kratz acquired from Brewers for C.J. Hinojosa
• Tom Murphy traded to Mariners for Jesus Ozoria
• Derek Holland, cash traded to Cubs for cash

TBD 🤔:

• Tyler Anderson signed one-year, $1.78M deal
• Kevin Gausman signed one-year, $9M deal
• Drew Smyly signed one-year, $4M deal
• Wilmer Flores signed two-year, $6.25M deal
• Hunter Pence signed one-year, $3M deal
• Billy Hamilton signed minor-league deal
• Nick Vincent signed minor-league deal
• Jarlin Garcia selected off waivers from Marlins
• Jerry Blevins signed minor-league deal
• Tyson Ross signed minor-league deal
• Darin Ruf, Yolmer Sanchez signed minor-league deals
• Pablo Sandoval signed minor-league deal
• Trevor Cahill signed minor-league deal
• Kevin Pillar non-tendered

Grade: A-