Tony La Russa: Everyone has to prove they deserve job with Arizona Diamondbacks
MILWAUKEE – Amid a series of disappointments that started in April and have yet to cease, the hot seat has shifted around the Diamondbacks with manager Chip Hale the latest to slip under the microscope.
Chief Baseball Officer Tony La Russa confirmed Hale is still the team’s choice, backing up the show of support General Manager Dave Stewart recently gave to somewhat dim the speculation an exit could be brewing.
But La Russa also made it clear everyone in the organization – himself included – should be striving to prove they deserve their jobs.
“I’m wondering if I’m the guy,” he said. “I watch us play, and I’m supposed to impact the execution of whether it’s making pitches in situations or how to take at-bats in situations and I don’t see us doing that well enough. I’m asking if I’m the guy.”
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Rumors surfaced Friday that the team could be exploring a new look and lingered until Stewart declared Sunday the Diamondbacks had no immediate plans to dismiss Hale.
La Russa was in Cooperstown, N.Y., last weekend to attend Hall of Fame induction ceremonies but was aware of the talk when asked about it Monday in Milwaukee.
“I was bothered because I know the family and Chip,” he said. “I don’t know if he was surprised or not. I just know if he is, he’s in his second year, it’s a good lesson to learn.”
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While La Russa acknowledged the uncertainty as unfortunate for family members, he also called it a reality of the business.
“If it bothers you,” he said, “stay home or do something else for a living.”
Another mainstay in his eyes should be the urgency to be viewed as indispensable regardless of a club’s record.
“Every day you better think I gotta keep proving that I’m the guy that should have this responsibility,” he said. “That means that if we were 15 (games) over .500, your attitude should be exactly the same way. This can get away from us, one loss a day. I mean, I’ve lived this for 30 years, and it keeps you crossing T's and dotting I's.”
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Arizona fell to 41-58 on the season after a series-opening 7-2 loss to the Brewers Monday in prized prospect Braden Shipley’s debut, the latest setback in a freefall to the basement of the NL West.
Injuries have no doubt played a role in a subpar performance with two starters (Zack Greinke and Rubby De La Rosa) on the mend and center fielder A.J. Pollock recovering from elbow surgery, but La Russa has felt the effort hasn’t been up to snuff.
“If you’re fair, you factor in the injuries,” he said. “You don’t ever factor in a reason why the effort is lackluster. Ever. It’s not acceptable to any of us, and it’s certainly not acceptable to fans or owners or president/CEOs.”
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Although the Diamondbacks seem to be set at manager for the time being, it’s possible change still hits the roster with the Aug. 1 trade deadline less than a week away.
Right-hander Shelby Miller, the centerpiece of last offseason’s blockbuster trade with the Braves, has been mentioned as a potential trade option for the Diamondbacks, and La Russa isn’t surprised Miller has generated interest even though he’s struggled.
Since getting demoted to Triple-A Reno at the start of the post-All-Star break schedule after going 2-9 with a 7.14 ERA in the first half, Miller has given up three earned runs in each of his two minor-league appearances.
“Our attitude is whatever the phone conversation is like, if there’s something that looks like it improves us in the second half or fits into us having a better chance to win in ’17 and beyond, you listen,” La Russa said. “Shelby, all of our young pitching, Stew is getting a lot calls, and all for the right reasons. They’re young. They’re not making a lot of money, and they’re controllable.”
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The only player that philosophy doesn’t seem to apply to is first baseman Paul Goldschmidt with La Russa mentioning clubs not bothering to ask for Goldschmidt since they “don’t have enough to get him.”
Keeping the core pieces intact is important with La Russa convinced this team isn’t ready to tumble into a rebuild since he doesn’t feel the Diamondbacks are two-to-four years away from contending.
So complementing whatever positives already in place appears to be Arizona’s focus as the trade deadline inches closer.
“That’s our approach,” La Russa said, “and then you take every inquiry and you weigh it against that approach.”
Reach the reporter at sarah.mclellan@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8276. Follow her at twitter.com/azc_mclellan.
Tuesday’s game
Diamondbacks at Brewers
When: 5:10 p.m.
Where: Miller Park, Milwaukee.
Pitchers: Diamondbacks LHP Patrick Corbin (4-9, 5.23) vs. Brewers RHP Matt Garza (1-4, 5.94).
TV/Radio: FSAZ/KTAR-FM (620), KSUN-AM (1400).
Corbin is winless in his last five starts, a span in which he carries a 7.50 ERA; amid this slide, he’s changed up his routine in between starts by skipping his bullpen session but Corbin continues to play catch every day. … Poor defense has also been a trend in Corbin’s recent starts with nine unearned runs in his last four outings. … Against the Brewers in his career, Corbin is 2-2 with a 1.80 ERA. … Garza is also stuck in a rut, going 1-4 with a 9.08 ERA in his last five games. … Opponents are hitting .333 against him, and the Brewers are 1-6 in his starts. … However, Garza has had success against the Diamondbacks with a 5-2 showing (2.70 ERA) in eight career games; six of his seven starts against Arizona have been quality starts.
Coming up
Wednesday: At Milwaukee, 5:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Archie Bradley (3-6, 4.44) vs. Brewers RHP Jimmy Nelson (6-8, 3.40).
Thursday: At Milwaukee, 11:10 a.m., Diamondbacks LHP Robbie Ray (5-9, 4.53) vs. Brewers RHP Zach Davies (7-4, 3.64).
Friday: At Los Angeles, 7:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zack Godley (3-1, 5.88) vs. Dodgers RHP Kenta Maeda (9-7, 3.25).