D-backs owner Ken Kendrick predicts Torey Lovullo will return next season

Arizona Diamondbacks managing general partner Ken Kendrick shed some light on one of the biggest storylines surrounding the franchise this year.

The owner of the D-backs on Arizona Sports’ Burns & Gambo Monday discussed the fact that manager Torey Lovullo is in the last year of his contract.

“We’re very comfortable with what he’s done, he’s very comfortable in the setting that he’s in,” Kendrick said. “If I were making a prediction — and I sometimes do and try not to make too many because the more predictions you make the more likely you’re gonna be wrong on occasion — I would predict he’ll be right back where he is in that dugout running the team next year.”

When asked on what the timing could look like if the ball club was to potentially recommit to Lovullo, Kendrick said the following:

“I think the specifics of a decision — when and in what detail — really is the way that we have tried to operate our team for a number of years and I have learned over the years about my job — what it is, and now more importantly, what it isn’t,” he said.

“That’s principally (general manager) Mike Hazen’s job and his timetable and his thinking and his gameplan. I’ll learn it when it’s developed and certainly I have a right to sign off on whatever plan but we have a lot of faith in Mike and Torey reports to him and he’ll be the lead decision-maker on the details of what we do.”

Kendrick also noted he’s a big fan of Lovullo and that he expects the manager to give his all every year no matter what, regardless of the contract situation.

Lovullo, 55, is in his fifth season managing the D-backs. In his first year, Lovullo led the D-backs to a 93-69 record and playoff appearance that earned him National League Manager of the Year honors.

After finishing above .500 the next two seasons but coming up short of the postseason with records of 82-80 and 85-77, Arizona underwhelmed in a pandemic-shortened 2020, going 25-35.

Over his first four seasons, Lovullo has a 285-261 mark as D-backs manager.

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