Arizona Diamondbacks fire Dave Stewart, Chip Hale

The Arizona Diamondbacks have “parted ways” with Dave Stewart and Chip Hale, per a tweet from the D-Backs. Stewart, who was Senior Vice President and General Manager, was handpicked by Tony LaRussa to become the general manager of the D-Backs in September, 2014. Hale was hired by Stewart and LaRussa as manager in October, 2014.

The fate of LaRussa, whose official title is “Chief Baseball Officer” for the Arizona Diamondbacks, is unknown, though it appears unlikely he will maintain any power, should he stay on board — owner Ken Kendrick says they are “still discussing what the appropriate role for Tony LaRussa will be going forward.” The 72 year old LaRussa was hired in May, 2014, to oversee the D-Backs’ baseball operations, and now that his g.m. has been let go, it seems likely LaRussa will either step down or be fired.

The two year LaRussa/Stewart regime was mired with mis-steps, including giving pitcher Yoan Lopez an $8 million bonus as a result of what Keith Law has reported was a mis-understanding of the international bonus rules and restrictions, and the much derided trade of 2015 #1 overall pick Dansby Swanson, along with Ender Inciarte and Aaron Blair, to the Atlanta Braves for pitcher Shelby Miller, who was a disaster in Arizona in 2016.

Arizona is now looking for yet another general manager, as they continue to be one of the least stable organizations, as far as the front office goes, in baseball.