Report: Tony La Russa can remain with D-backs in advisory role

Diamondbacks general manager Dave Stewart and manager Chip Hale are out, and chief baseball officer Tony La Russa could follow them out the door if he does not accept a new role.

Arizona Sports 98.7 FM’s John Gambadoro reported Tuesday that La Russa has been offered an “advisory role” with the D-backs and will take a day or two more to decide on whether to accept the new job.

LaRussa would have a voice in the room, weigh in with ideas and opinions but not direct in any way.

— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) October 4, 2016

Today’s Knuckleball’s Jon Heyman was first to report La Russa would not retain his role leading the Diamondbacks’ front office.

Heyman said La Russa and D-backs managing general partner Ken Kendrick spoke for three hours Monday about the former chief baseball officer’s future with the club.

dbacks was even more of a blood bath than it seemed. la russa no longer is big cheese. new gm will lead baseball ops.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 4, 2016

la russa and owner ken kendrick talked for 3 hours this morn & la russa is apparently still deciding whether to stay at all

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) October 4, 2016

MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert also wrote that La Russa will not lead the baseball operations department.

“We are still discussing what the appropriate role for Tony La Russa will be going forward,” Kendrick said in a press statement Monday before he met with the local media to discuss the changes at general manager and manager.

La Russa hired Stewart as general manager and then Hale in 2014, months after taking over and firing former general manager Kevin Towers and manager Kirk Gibson.

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