With manager Chip Hale and general manager Dave Stewart out the door in Arizona, the Diamondbacks are interested in Washington Nationals general manager and president of baseball operations Mike Rizzo to replace Stewart and head the search for a new manager.
According to ESPN.com, the D-backs have placed Rizzo at the top of their list to be their next president of baseball operations, a role formerly occupied by Tony La Russa, who was demoted to a new position in the front office.
D-backs president and CEO Derrick Hall said last week the new general manager "(will be) somebody that has significant experience and obviously when it comes to player evaluation and analytics, a combination of all."
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Rizzo, who has two years remaining on his contract with the Nationals, deflected comment when asked by ESPN, saying he remains focused on winning an NLDS matchup with the Dodgers and nothing else. The 55-year-old joined the Nats as an assistant general manager in 2006 and was promoted to general manager when Jim Bowden resigned in March of 2009.
In seven full seasons with Rizzo at the top, the Nationals have been among Major League Baseball’s most successful franchises, registering five years of .500-plus finishes, including three with 95 or more wins and three playoff appearances.
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The Diamondbacks went 148-176 the past two years with Hale and Stewart despite predictions to battle for the NL West crown this season after acquiring ace Zack Greinke, pitcher Shelby Miller, reliever Tyler Clippard and shortstop Jean Segura over the winter.
Instead, the club finished the season at 69-93, good for fourth in the NL West as their attendance dropped to the lowest lowest in franchise history.