ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

D-backs CBO Tony La Russa on restructuring front office: ‘We want to put a bunch of complementary abilities together’

Sep 13, 2014, 11:30 PM | Updated: Sep 14, 2014, 12:52 am

...

It’s been a little over a week since the Arizona Diamondbacks relieved Kevin Towers of his general manager duties, and at least on the surface Chief Baseball Officer Tony La Russa sounds like a man with a plan.

Speaking on Arizona Sports 98.7FM‘s D-backs and San Diego Padres broadcast with Greg Schulte and Tom Candiotti Friday, the former Hall of Fame manager sounded encouraged with his long list of potential candidates.

Earlier this week, MLB.com reporter Steve Gilbert released a list of potential candidates — one that featured Allard Baird (Red Sox vice president of player personnel), Larry Beinfest (former Marlins general manager), Billy Eppler (Yankees assistant general manager), Gary LaRocque (Cardinals director of player development), Ray Montgomery (D-backs scouting director), Hal Morris (Angels director of pro scouting), Tim Purpura (former Astros general manager), Dave Stewart (agent and former general manager) and DeJon Watson (Dodgers assistant general manager).

“When you see the list that we’ve put together, there’s a real good range of experiences and abilities,” said La Russa. “There’s not a bad candidate there. It’s going to be a look and see how the fit is. It may be that some guy has a certain set of skills that fit what we’re putting together more than someone else.”

What the D-backs organization is putting together remains to be seen, however it’s apparent that La Russa will have his imprint all of it.

Still, he insisted the job is a unique one to outsiders — because of the unity and leadership that exists across the board.

“You have Ken Kendrick, you have Derrick Hall and then all of a sudden they stick Tony [in there],” said La Russa of how his hire may have changed the perception of the organization. “That’s different, which means it kind of adjusts how the rest of the team comes together.

“What we want to do, we want to put a bunch of complementary abilities together not people who do the same thing.”

When that meshing process gets completed remains to be seen, but the question remains what kind of role Towers might have moving forward with the ballclub should he elect to say on.

La Russa addressed that point as well.

“The team that we’re building at the front office level, there’s an important place for Kevin,” said La Russa. “I’ve told him about it, and he’s very smartly said, ‘Look, I’m there but it depends on who the GM is because maybe he wouldn’t want me or maybe I can’t work with him.’

“We have not fired him. He has not been dismissed.”

Arizona Diamondbacks

Ketel Marte celebrates...

Tyler Drake

Ketel Marte to lead off Arizona Diamondbacks’ Opening Day lineup

The Arizona Diamondbacks' Opening Day lineup is set ahead of their matchup against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday.

3 hours ago

Jordan Montgomery throws a pitch...

Tyler Drake

Hall: Diamondbacks’ addition of Jordan Montgomery ‘made a lot of sense’

The Diamondbacks' addition of Jordan Montgomery puts a bow on a rotation that should be in the conversation for the top spot across MLB.

4 hours ago

Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gabriel Moreno...

Arizona Sports

Roundtable picks: One Diamondbacks young player to watch in 2024

Which Arizona Diamondbacks player should continue an upward trend in 2024? Gabriel Moreno, Brandon Pfaadt and Alek Thomas are possibilities.

5 hours ago

Chase Field flyover...

Damon Allred

Diamondbacks’ Hall ‘battling’ to keep Chase Field roof open for Opening Day

The roof at Chase Field continues to be a hot button topic, especially after an exhibition game was rained out on Monday.

6 hours ago

Merrill Kelly throws a pitch...

Alex Weiner

Meet the Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2024 Opening Day roster

The Arizona Diamondbacks finalized their 26-man Opening Day roster on Thursday ahead of their matchup against the Rockies.

6 hours ago

Manager Torey Lovullo speaks with Corbin Carroll...

Arizona Sports

Roundtable: Expectations, predictions for the 2024 Arizona Diamondbacks

What are the expectations for the 2024 Arizona Diamondbacks? Arizona Sports show hosts and editors make their predictions.

8 hours ago

D-backs CBO Tony La Russa on restructuring front office: ‘We want to put a bunch of complementary abilities together’