Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo will remain with the team after signing a contract extension, GM Mike Hazen told reporters. Lovullo’s previous contract was set to expire following the 2021 season, but his new deal is guaranteed through the 2022 season with a club option for 2023.
Hazen recently told reporters that he hoped to have a decision made about Lovullo’s future before the season was over, and the skipper has now received a bit more security heading into what might be a tumultuous offseason in Arizona. The D’Backs are tied with the Orioles for the worst record in baseball (48-104), as Arizona has followed up a rough 2020 season with an outright disaster of a 2021 campaign.
So many things have gone wrong for the D’Backs over the last two years that Lovullo is hardly to blame for all of the team’s problems, though the extension also can’t be viewed as a huge vote of confidence. With only one more guaranteed year added, Lovullo’s lame-duck status could very well continue deep into the 2022 campaign, as Hazen and the front office have given themselves some flexibility in determining the manager’s role amidst many other large questions about the future direction of the franchise.
The Diamondbacks’ struggles over the last two seasons have sunk Lovullo’s record as manager to 333-365, though it wasn’t long ago that Lovullo was drawing widespread praise for his work in Arizona’s dugout. Lovullo built a strong reputation as a minor league manager in the Indians organization and then as a coach with the Blue Jays and Red Sox (also serving as Boston’s interim manager for the last month and a half of the 2015 season) before being hired by the D’Backs following the 2016 season.
Lovullo’s first season with Arizona saw him win NL Manager Of The Year honors while leading the Snakes to a 93-69 record and a victory over the Rockies in the NL Wild Card game. While that remains Lovullo’s lone postseason trip as manager, the Diamondbacks also had winning records in both 2018 and 2019.
Between a widespread array of injuries and under-performance from so many players up and down the roster, Lovullo hasn’t had much to work with, particularly in the bullpen. Hazen made a point of observing the Diamondbacks’ 9-29 record in one-run games, noting that while the team is still coming up short, the fact that they’re staying competitive is some testament to how the D’Backs are still responding to Lovullo even while playing out the string.
In Torey We Trust!
Torey needs talent in the desert.
I’m a little surprised, but Torey has handled this years D-backs debacle with as much class as humanly possible. And he and his staff have worked harder than ever. Congrats, Torey.
I dont understand how this managemwnt team gets so many bites at the apple. They have overestimatrd their talent for 3 straight seasons and have the worst record in baseball. Derrick Hall has had 7 winning seasons in 22? They should all do the honorable thing and resign. Disgraceful extension.
Great move, they have played so well. He must be inexpensive.
Thanks for adding nothing.
Thanks for adding nothing.
But back to the topic, he’s done a decent job this year, so kudos to him. With better players and better luck in 1-run games, their record would obv be better. But damn, the management really overestimated how good this team was with their ill-advised win-now moves the past few years.
Takes one heck of an optimist to find silver lining in a 9-29 record in one-run games.
The guy’s actually a decent manager IMO. I’m glad he’s coming back.
I agree with keeping Lovullo for one more year, but I predict he’ll be gone after next year (or before). I like Lovullo as the Dbacks manager, but the bullpen problems and the influx of young players this year and next, can’t be fixed in one season, so unless they surprise next year, Lovullo will be the scapegoat.
He’s a good manager.
“The Never Ending Torey”
I have family in Arizona & that losing streak was tough for them. If you folks are good with Torey, than full speed ahead.
What was looking like a manager carousel going into the winter now looks like we may see very few (if any changes).
Of the 30 Managers it looks like Aaron Boone, Charlie Montoyo, and Jace Tingler’s fates all may be tied to whether or not they make it and/or how far they go in the post-season. Luis Rojas is probably as good as gone in New York. Bud Black in Colorado and Rocco Baldelli in Minnesota are iffy to be fired but possible.
So it looks like anywhere between 24-27 teams will retain their Managers for next season
I think Baldelli is pretty secure, Minnesota has shown a reluctance to fire managers, and that seemed like a perfect pairing. When SD misses the playoffs Tingler should start packing his bags.
None of those guys have done a bad job. Black has done a fantastic job when you consider the negativity surrounding the Arrenado trade and Story’s lackluster season. If he was let go, he would not be out of work long.
I watch a lot of Mets games and don’t understand the anti-Rojas sentiments. Mets fans overrate the mediocre talent on that roster.
Tingler &,Rojas I agree are gone to much of a collapse — Boone gone if popularity contest thinks he’ll be gone as well…. Rest I see staying
A manager is usually only as good as the talent he has to work with.
Based on the 2021 results, I don’t think any of the 30 managers deserve to be fired. If I was forced to choose one I would have said Bell, but the Reds have already extended him.
It also might be that AZ learned a lesson from Hinch and Melvin. Kinda wish we kept either but TL is fine.
He too would not be out of work for long. Glad he stays but I’m expecting lots of off season movement.
Yes reward failure of course that is what the D backs are.one of the worst Ball teams.The owners general manager and manager are all failures. cheap team and we need to bring Jerry C back. I recall 2 yrs we were in the penant fight and Terry’s team flopped in sept, he is more of a cheerleader than a manger
The dbacks could sign every free agent to the most money they want and they still wouldn’t finish 1st or 2nd in the west so again spending doesn’t equal winning.
Form sentences often?
Terry manages the Guardians, by the way.
That was for Bob B
THANKS teacher I am not perfect but you think you are. Torry helped loose another one last night. NOT pinch hitting 2 on 2 out. He is a terrible manager
d backs are a loosing franchise they aren’t committed to winning or spending money. I don’t go to their games anymore. I would rather go to a little league game.