D-backs president on Torey Lovullo: ‘This year is probably his best year’
Lovullo previously said he "probably" needs to make the playoffs to be retained as he coaches his final games under contract, but team president Derrick Hall said he doesn't think it's that simple.
Watch: Derrick Hall: Torey Lovullo has had 'probably his best year' in 2026 | 2 mins
The Arizona Diamondbacks have to decide whether manager Torey Lovullo will return after the season, but team president and CEO thinks 2026 might be the skipper’s best managing job of his 10-year tenure with the club.
“This year is probably his best year,” Hall told Arizona Sports’ Bickley & Marotta. “You could look at ’23 getting into the World Series, and there’s a lot of criticism towards him saying, ‘Well look, you came up a game short, then you came up two games short.’ Don’t you want to be in it every year?
“I mean, he’s won, six out of 10 years he’s had a winning record. So, I mean Torey’s done a great job for us and he continues to.”
The Diamondbacks enter the final four games of their regular-season slate three games back of the tied Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies for the final National League Wild Card spot.
The San Diego Padres in the top Wild Card spot (four games back) remain within reach as well, ahead of the Diamondbacks and Padres facing off in their final series.
Arizona’s elimination number is 2 after Wednesday’s win over the Colorado Rockies, and it could be in position for a sweep over San Diego to get them in.
Lovullo told Burns & Gambo on Friday that he “probably” needs to make the playoffs to be retained as he coaches his final games under contract, but Hall said he doesn’t think it’s that simple.
“It’s not just in and you’re in. And I think he’s being tough on himself,” Hall said. “I think we’ve got a decision to make, but all that will come into play. And there’s so many factors, but he’s done a terrific, terrific job this year.
“You look back and you think, ‘Well, he’s had some pretty bad years.’ Not for him, but I think for the roster that we’ve given him in those years. And again, he’s never complained. He still bounced back the next year and I think he’s been a terrific manager.”
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Comments
2 Comments
I would be more ok with Torey coming back than I would Marte and Gallen. Gallen has been getting worse every year since 2022, but the wheels have really fallen off this year. They should have let him walk last offseason, they have to let him walk this offseason
And Marte needs to go, even if it means pennies on the dollar. I know the locker room was publicly supporting him, but I am willing to bet that they are privately done with his bs. This will be addition by subtraction.
Unless this interview was part of a strategy to make Mr. Kendrick to be the villain if TL doesn't receive a new contract, TL will be back for at least three years.
My main issues with TL are 1) his playing not to lose instead of playing to win strategy; 2) lack of urgency and 3) his favoritism for certain players.
It looks like I will be watching the Dbacks on Dbacks.TV instead at Chase Field for at least a year.