Kevin Towers, Kirk Gibson address job security with Diamondbacks

CHICAGO – Bunting hung from the rafters at Wrigley Field and ushers were wearing cone-shaped party hats to celebrate the ballpark's 100th anniversary. But when Wednesday began for the Diamondbacks, they were in no mood for a party.

Their top baseball leaders had to face questions about their job security after their team had staggered to its 18th loss in 23 games the previous night. And when the game started, it felt like the same tired script was playing out once more.

But then something weird happened in the ninth inning. The Diamondbacks caught a break. Then another. And another. And all of a sudden, their four-game losing streak was over and they were hoping, again, that maybe their 7-5 win would be a sign of things to come.

But it will take more than one win to quiet the critics calling for change at the top. Though the organization gave General Manager Kevin Towers and manager Kirk Gibson contract extensions prior to the season, the team's embarrassing 6-18 start has left many wondering how long until changes are made.

"That's a question you need to ask them," Towers said, referring to CEO Derrick Hall and Managing General Partner Ken Kendrick. "I know they're frustrated. I've talked to Derrick, Ken and they're (frustrated) — rightfully so. They should be."

Hall declined to comment.

"This organization has committed a lot of money," Towers said. "That's what's even more disturbing. You've got a payroll that exceeds $100million and we're off to one of the worst starts in franchise history. That's tough to swallow when you're an owner and you care and you've invested in a product and the product isn't performing."

The Diamondbacks have a franchise-record payroll of about $110million but have struggled in nearly every area. Their starting pitching has been horrendous, the offense can't deliver key hits, and even the bullpen, defense and baserunning have been subpar at times.

"I'm sure they've grown impatient and I don't blame them," Towers said of ownership. "This is a business. I don't think they dislike Gibby or myself. They're good people. They've been great to us. But Gibby and I are smart enough to know that this is what you get paid to do. You get paid to hopefully go out and win ballgames. But I think we're all accountable. Everybody. It's players. It's us. It's coaches. We all should be wearing this right now and finding a way to turn this around."

Gibson said he tries to come to the park and remain upbeat every day despite the losing.

"I don't worry about that part," Gibson said, when asked about his job security. "We try to analyze what we can do (better) and we just prepare and try to get the guys to prepare and have a positive day and a good game.

"Some of the things that get frustrating are when you specifically address a situation and shortly thereafter we don't execute it. That's the most frustrating part about it. But they're all good kids, they all are dedicated and the fact that these things slip their mind in a very short period of time is an example of how they press. And it takes away from their true ability."

Towers was asked if he thinks changes on the coaching staff might make a difference.

"You don't know," Towers said. "It could. It may. And it may not. To me, that's probably a better question for players. I believe in my coaching staff, but do they? I think the world of Gibby. He's a fierce competitor. He cares. But ultimately, it's how do they respond? Players may ultimately get GMs and managers fired — they don't do it, it comes from up above, but how they respond to different things, our livelihood kind of lies in their hands. That's just the truth and it does. They perform good, we have job security. They don't perform well, we don't have job security."

When last season ended, the Diamondbacks had options in Towers' and Gibson's contracts for future years that could have been exercised. Neither was picked up, and the team went into the off-season with their two primary baseball leaders entering their walk years.

But in the days before spring training the organization decided to give them contract extensions after all, though there was no word on the length of the deals. All the team would say was that the deals were for "beyond the 2014 season."

Though they finished at 81-81 in each of the past two seasons, the Diamondbacks made additions to their roster that they believed would lead to improvements. They traded for slugger Mark Trumbo and closer Addison Reed, and signed starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo and reliever Oliver Perez.

But No.1 starter Patrick Corbin learned he needed Tommy John surgery the day the club left for its season-opening Australia series and reliever David Hernandez suffered the same fate when the team returned home. Things have spiraled from there.

"We can't blame this just on losing Patrick Corbin or David Hernandez," Towers said. "That hurt, but we're just not playing good in any aspect of the game."

They got more bad news Wednesday when they learned Trumbo has a stress fracture in his left foot and will need to go on the disabled list.

"It's not one (player)," Towers said. "It's almost like it's contagious, like we've caught some virus that's just affected pretty much everybody and they're all struggling right now.

"How do you fix it? Ultimately the players are going to have to fix it. They're the ones who go out there and take their at-bats and throw the pitches. You try to lead as well as you can and give them the information they need, but ultimately they've got to go out and find a way to win ballgames again. If they can find a way to win ballgames again, then maybe we can turn this thing around."

Up next

D-Backs at Cubs

When:

11:20 a.m., Thursday.

TV/radio:

WGN/KTAR-AM 620, KPKX-FM 98.7, KSUN-AM 1400

Pitchers:

RHP Mike Bolsinger (0-1, 10.29) vs. Cubs RHP Edwin Jackson (1-1, 5.40).

Projected starters

Friday:

At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Josh Collmenter (0-2, 4.50) vs. Phillies RHP Roberto Hernandez (1-0, 5.75).

Saturday:

At Chase Field, 5:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Bronson Arroyo (1-2, 9.50) vs. Phillies LHP Cliff Lee (3-2, 3.09).