As expected, there has been plenty of talk about change around the Diamondbacks since new GM Kevin Towers took over last week, and that figures to continue on into the offseason. Bob Nightengale of USA Today brings us up to speed with everything going on around the team, plus more. All of the links go to his Twitter feed…
- Arizona is planning to overhaul their scouting department, and they believe Jerry Dipoto will stay if he isn't offered the Mets GM job.
- Kirk Gibson is expected to sign a two-year extension to remain on as the D-Backs manager, but the rest of his coaching staff isn't safe. Nightengale says all but two unidentified coaches will be let go.
- Nightengale lists the popular new managerial candidates for the winter: Dodgers Triple-A manager Tim Wallach, Padres bench coach Ted Simmons, Angels bench coach Ron Roenicke, Rays bench coach Dave Martinez, and Mets third base coach Chip Hale. As many as ten teams could be looking for new skippers this offseason.
Joel Youngblood and Matt Williams should be retained although not necessarilly in their current positions as 1st and 3rd base coaches.
I think the 2 staying are Bo Porter and Matt Williams