ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Arizona Diamondbacks issue statement on Kevin Towers and the GM position

Sep 5, 2014, 3:22 PM | Updated: 3:22 pm

Follow @AZSports...

Late Thursday night, news broke that general manager Kevin Towers had been fired by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

One thing is certain: Towers is no longer in that position, but it turns out “fired” might not be exactly the right word to use in describing what went down.

The D-backs released a statement Friday morning saying that chief baseball officer Tony La Russa will begin to interview candidates for the GM spot, and that Towers has been offered another position in the organization.

“Over the past three months, I have had the opportunity to evaluate all aspects of our baseball operations and have decided to restructure our staff in order to improve our decision-making process,” La Russa said in the statement. “I have the utmost respect for Kevin and a friendship with him that dates back many years which has allowed me to appreciate his talents and experience. I have offered him a new role in the front office, as I believe his skills fit well within the framework of what we are building. Understandably, he would like to see who the general manager is before making his own decision.

“We are extremely grateful for all that he has done for the D-backs during his four-plus years here, particularly given that he has always put the organization ahead of his own self-interests. That tells you all you need to know about him as a person.”

Towers took over the GM post for the Diamondbacks in September of 2010 after spending 14 seasons in the same position with the San Diego Padres.

In 2011, his first full year on the job, the D-backs won the National League West with a 94-68 record.

Since then, the team is 221-243.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Diamondbacks

Corbin Carroll #7 of the Arizona Diamondbacks rounds third base on the way to score on a RBI single...

Kellan Olson

Corbin Carroll bounces back, Zac Gallen cruises in D-backs win vs. Reds

The Arizona Diamondbacks got a welcome sight on Tuesday with a Corbin Carroll outing that looked a whole lot more like Corbin Carroll.

17 hours ago

Paul Sewald...

Arizona Sports

Diamondbacks closer Paul Sewald reinstated, reliever Scott McGough optioned

Arizona Diamondbacks closer Paul Sewald was reinstated after he began the year on the injured list with an oblique injury.

23 hours ago

Corbin Carroll...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks OF Corbin Carroll ready to ‘migrate north’ in batting order

Corbin Carroll had been hitting in the bottom third in the lineup, and manager Torey Lovullo teased he would be moving back up.

2 days ago

Joc Pederson...

Alex Weiner

‘Mad’ Diamondbacks aim to build off hitting outburst from win over Padres

Every few days this season it seems the Arizona Diamondbacks muster a dominant offensive outburst to blowout an opponent. 

3 days ago

Ketel Marte...

Arizona Sports

Diamondback bats come alive after stretch of poor offensive showings

After a recent stretch of poor offense, the D-backs finally turned the bats on in Sunday's game against the San Diego Padres at Chase Field.

3 days ago

Eduardo Rodriguez...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks’ Lovullo gives encouraging updates on Rodriguez, Sewald

Veteran pitchers Eduardo Rodriguez and Paul Sewald were in the Diamondbacks' clubhouse Sunday, and Torey Lovullo gave encouraging updates. 

3 days ago

Arizona Diamondbacks issue statement on Kevin Towers and the GM position