ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Rockies manager could be new Diamondbacks skipper

Aug 27, 2016, 7:59 PM | Updated: Aug 29, 2016, 11:33 am

Colorado Rockies manager Walt Weiss talks to home plate umpire Eric Cooper in the fourth inning of ...

Colorado Rockies manager Walt Weiss talks to home plate umpire Eric Cooper in the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

(AP Photo/Michael Perez)

If the Arizona Diamondbacks decide to fire manager Chip Hale between now and the start of the 2017 season, one possible candidate could be current Colorado Rockies manager Walt Weiss.

According to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, the Rockies are fading and general manager Jeff Bridich inherited Weiss, who is in the last year of his contract. Weiss also has connections with Diamondbacks’ chief baseball officer, Tony La Russa and general manager Dave Stewart. Weiss played for La Russa in Oakland and was a teammate of Stewart’s.

Rosenthal also said that the Diamondbacks were ready to fire Hale, but that ownership intervened. However, La Russa told Arizona Sports 98.7 FM’s Doug and Wolf on Wednesday that was not the case.

“The stuff about Chip is just not true. We were very concerned, and I think it was a very strong message sent by Dave Stewart to Chip that, look, there’s an urgency that has to be apparent in the way we compete. You lose that, then that’s not acceptable,” La Russa said.

Nevertheless, it hasn’t been smooth sailing for Hale this season. After coming off an impressive 79-83 record in his first year, Hale inherited a ballclub in 2016 with high expectations after signing free agent Zack Greinke, and trading for starting pitcher Shelby Miller. Instead, the Diamondbacks are 54-75 through 129 games and are on pace to lose 94 games. Meanwhile, Greinke is 11-4 with a 4.29 ERA after spending time on the disabled list and Miller has struggled all season and is currently pitching for Triple-A Reno.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Blake Snell...

Associated Press

Blake Snell and San Francisco Giants agree to $62 million, 2-year contract, AP source says

Two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell and the San Francisco Giants have agreed to a $62 million, two-year contract.

5 hours ago

Zac Gallen...

Damon Allred

Diamondbacks ace Zac Gallen named Opening Day starter

The Arizona Diamondbacks named Zac Gallen the starter for Opening Day on March 28 when the Colorado Rockies come to Chase Field.

7 hours ago

Merrill Kelly...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks’ Merrill Kelly, Zac Gallen building strong outings with Opening Day near

Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly followed Zac Gallen's scoreless outing Sunday with one of his own Monday against the Athletics.

8 hours ago

Alek Thomas, Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder...

Kevin Zimmerman

D-backs’ Alek Thomas found confidence with just 2 swings in 2023 playoffs

Two Alek Thomas home runs during the 2023 playoff run for the Arizona Diamondbacks helped build his confidence. You can guess one of them.

11 hours ago

Alek Thomas...

Alex Weiner

NL West preview: Where do the Diamondbacks fit in a new-look division?

No division was more prevalent in the news cycle than the NL West. Here's a preview of the Dodgers, D-backs, Giants, Padres and Giants.

15 hours ago

Corbin Martin...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks option RHPs Corbin Martin, Slade Cecconi in final week of spring training

The Diamondbacks continued to clear up roster battles by optioning pitchers Corbin Martin, Slade Cecconi and Blake Walston Triple-A.

16 hours ago

Rockies manager could be new Diamondbacks skipper