ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

La Russa: Arizona Diamondbacks have contacted several GM candidates

Sep 6, 2014, 6:25 AM | Updated: 6:26 am

...

The Arizona Diamondbacks are not wasting any time in searching for a new general manager after firing five-year GM Kevin Towers on Friday.

Diamondbacks chief baseball officer Tony La Russa said in a conference call Friday that the team has already begun contacting candidates and will begin interviews soon.

La Russa said he would like to hire someone who has played the game, rather than someone whose only experience in baseball is on the business side.

“I don’t want to disrespect what you get academically, but I definitely want to respect the education you get in the game from watching the type of players that help contribute to a champion and the way championship baseball is played,” said La Russa, who won three World Series championships as a manager from 1979-2011.

“That’s why I think it’s smart for us to have an open mind. Each candidate comes in with a list of talents, and then you make an assessment of who fits the best. But in the end, we want to have a team that has a stronger metric and analytical contribution than we currently have.”

La Russa said the Diamondbacks would like to fill the vacant GM position by the end of the season.

“The sooner that our front-office team is together, the better off our decision-making is going to be as we go forward,” he said, noting that being on the outside of the National League playoff race will allow the D-backs to place a greater focus on finding a replacement for Towers.

La Russa said the team has already reached out to New York Yankees assistant GM Billy Eppler, former Toronto Blue Jays assistant GM Dave Stewart, St. Louis Cardinals farm director Gary LaRocque and Los Angeles Angels director of professional scouting Hal Morris, as well as Diamondbacks scouting director Ray Montgomery, about the open position.

Stewart, who won 168 games in his 16 years as a Major League pitcher, was managed by La Russa as a member of the A’s from 1986-92.

“I’ve always admired the fact that Dave has had a love of the game and a willingness to work at it,” La Russa said. “I heard from the Toronto folks several times while he was there what a good job he was doing and how relentless he would be about going wherever…

“And then, I’ve just watched him. He worked in San Diego for Kevin. He showed his business side. He’s been a successful agent, so that’s a good background, and I know he knows the game. He’s one of the guys I thought about that would be a good fit.”

Not among those contacted about the vacancy is Cincinnati Reds general manager and president of baseball operations Walt Jocketty.

“I’m very confident saying that Walt is entirely committed to the Cincinnati Reds,” La Russa said. “His total interest is about what it takes to make them a champion.”

La Russa said Towers has been offered another position within the Diamondbacks’ organization, adding that professional scouting is an area in which he believes Towers can help the team.

“If you look at Kevin’s background, whether it’s as a player, a player developer, a scout, general manager, he’s got a great background. He would have several responsibilities, but that’s one that would be a strong responsibility.”

Arizona Sports’ Shane Dale contributed to this report

Arizona Diamondbacks

Ketel Marte...

Arizona Sports

NL Wild Card standings: Diamondbacks fight for postseason berth

The Arizona Diamondbacks are in a playoff hunt for the first time in years. After a cold July and early August, they are back in the race.

8 hours ago

Corbin Carroll #7 of the Arizona Diamondbacks warms up on deck during the first inning of the MLB g...

Dan Bickley

Diamondbacks seizing moment in final surge of regular season

The Diamondbacks are surging. They are having a moment. They are seizing the moment. They are again the talk of Major League Baseball.

9 hours ago

Merrill Kelly...

Alex Weiner

D-backs’ Merrill Kelly outduels ace Logan Webb in sweep over Giants

Merrill Kelly shook off an early home run to help the Diamondbacks sweep the Giants in two games at Chase Field.

11 hours ago

Corbin Carroll...

Alex Weiner

D-backs’ Corbin Carroll accomplishes rare 25-home run, 50-stolen base season

Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll became the first rookie to hit 25 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season.

14 hours ago

Torey Lovullo...

Alex Weiner

Dustin Pedroia provides advice, rallies D-backs amid playoff push

D-backs manager Torey Lovullo brought his old friend, Dustin Pedoira, into the clubhouse to share some words during their playoff push.

15 hours ago

Mike Hazen, Arizona Diamondbacks GM...

Kellan Olson

Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen declines to comment on Red Sox rumblings

Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen declined to comment on the reporting connecting him to the opening in the Red Sox's front office.

15 hours ago

La Russa: Arizona Diamondbacks have contacted several GM candidates