Latest Update: La Russa Meets With Two G.M. Candidates
Jul 19, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics former manager Tony La Russa, pitcher Dave Stewart and infielder Rickey Henderson on the field during the celebration of the 1989 Oakland Athletics World Series Champions before the game against Baltimore Orioles at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports
Diamondbacks Chief Baseball Officer Tony La Russa meet with two G.M candidates player agent Dave Stewart, and Red Sox executive Allan Baird for a second round of interviews. These candidates also meet with Diamondbacks President Derrick Hall.
The original 10 candidates that La Russa complied was a strong list that included Diamondbacks executive Ray Montgomery, and Cardinals executive Gary LaRocque.
According to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com, besides Baird and Stewart, five other candidates are expected to meet with La Russa and Hall by the end of the week. This includes Dodgers executive DeJon Watson, former Marlins executive Larry Beinfest, ex-Astros G.M. Tim Purpura, LaRocque, and Montgomery.
Three candidates that were apart of the original part of the original list of names will not be meeting with La Russa and Hall for the second round of interviews, suggesting that they are not interested in the job. This includes Yankees assistant General Manager Billy Eppler, Angels director of pro scouting Hal Morris, and Rangers assistant General Manager Thad Levine.
This is what La Russa said in a statement about the three names that withdrew:
“I greatly appreciate the opportunity to have had meaningful conversations with two very impressive baseball men with bright futures and respect both of their decisions not to interview with us in order to remain with their current organizations.”
According to sources of Fox Sports MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal, Stewart is considered the favorite and is “very interested” in the position.
The chance to work with La Russa has influenced Stewart to consider the position. This is what he told Rosenthal:
“There are some real strong possibilities there. The opportunity to work with Tony makes it worth doing.”
If Stewart did accept the Diamondbacks G.M job, he would have to either sell his player agent firm, Sports Management Partners (SMP), or leave it up to one of the other agents.
Stewart told Rosenthal that Dodgers OF Matt Kemp and other clients have committed to stay with SMP even if Stewart leaves to take the Dbacks job.
La Russa hopes to name a new G.M. by the end of the regular season. Whoever is the next G.M, his first job will be to decide the fate of Manager Kirk Gibson, who according to Rosenthal is losing the support of his players.