Sources: D-backs target Towers as GM
The Diamondbacks are expressing significant interest in Kevin Towers becoming their next general manager, major-league sources say.
Towers, however, has yet to meet with club officials, and his salary desires represent one of several potential stumbling blocks, sources said.
POSTSEASON CENTRAL
The Padres were paying Towers nearly $2 million per year when they fired him last October. The Diamondbacks still have a financial obligation to their previous GM, Josh Byrnes, who is under contract through 2015 and had a small ownership stake in the club.
“If the money’s right, he’ll go,” one source said of Towers, who currently is a special assistant with the Yankees. “He doesn’t like sitting on the sidelines.”
The Yankees granted permission for the Diamondbacks to interview Towers, sources said, but declined permission for the D-backs to speak with another of their executives, vice-president of amateur scouting Damon Oppenheimer.
The Diamondbacks have scheduled meetings with other candidates for next week. Two of the Dodgers’ assistant GMs, Logan White and De Jon Watson, are among those expected to be interviewed.
The D-backs’ current GM, Jerry DiPoto, took over for Byrnes as an interim in July and made several moves that have been well-received within the industry.
Diamondbacks CEO Derrick Hall said last month that DiPoto was at the top of his list, but that it would be “crazy” for the team not to interview other candidates.
Asked for comment on the process, one source familiar with the club’s thinking said, “More to come next week.”
Towers likely would be a candidate for the Mets if they replaced Omar Minaya. However, Towers’ friends say he prefers to be with a team out west.
The Mariners might hold the greatest appeal for Towers, who is from the Pacific Northwest. Some in the industry believe the M’s could replace GM Jack Zduriencik, but a high-placed source downplayed that possibility this week.
The Diamondbacks represent a logical fit, but the status of interim manager Kirk Gibson would be among the issues the team would need to resolve with Towers.
Towers could balk if the Diamondbacks wanted to retain Gibson, preferring to hire his own manager and coaching staff.
The Padres’ lead owner, Jeff Moorad, replaced Towers with Jed Hoyer after last season. Towers spent 14 years as the team’s GM. Moorad previously was a top executive with the Diamondbacks.
Related Stories
Trending Now
-
Knicks may be becoming a team story
Is Lin now leading a legit title contender? -
Michael Jordan suing Chinese company
Former NBA star and current Bobcats owner Michael Jordan filed suit in a Chinese cour... -
Tiger's victory is a gift from Gonzo
Woods takes bumpy road to first-round victory over Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano. -
Nike working on game plan for Lin
Athletic-shoe giant Nike Inc., which built its global franchise in part through selli... -
Danica's home life complements racing
Forget everything you've heard - here's the real Danica.
MLB Videos
Pitchers Colby Lewis and Derek Holland talk about Yu Darvish and more.
Hear from Jim Thome, Ty Wigginton and others as the Phillies report to spring tr...
Mets catcher Josh Thole talks about the upcoming season and what he learned from...
MLB Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nike Chicago Cubs Tackle Twill Hoodie Sweatshirt - Royal Blue | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Chicago_Cubs/browse/featuredproduct/250780/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_250000/FF_250780_xl.jpg&w=100 | 49.95 | Nike Chicago Cubs Tackle Twill Hoodie Sweatshirt - Royal Blue |
| Nike Boston Red Sox Ladies Red Local T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Boston_Red_Sox/browse/featuredproduct/605356/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_605000/ff_605356_xl.jpg&w=100 | 19.95 | Nike Boston Red Sox Ladies Red Local T-shirt |
| New Era New York Yankees Youth Navy Blue Tie Breaker 39THIRTY Stretch Fit Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_York_Yankees/browse/featuredproduct/605557/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_605000/ff_605557_xl.jpg&w=100 | 16.95 | New Era New York Yankees Youth Navy Blue Tie Breaker 39THIRTY Stretch Fit Hat |
| Nike Oakland Athletics Green MLB Practice T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Oakland_Athletics/browse/featuredproduct/606322/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_606000/ff_606322_xl.jpg&w=100 | 27.95 | Nike Oakland Athletics Green MLB Practice T-shirt |
| Philadelphia Phillies Mascot Pillow Pet | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Philadelphia_Phillies/browse/featuredproduct/626447/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_626000/ff_626447_xl.jpg&w=100 | 29.95 | Philadelphia Phillies Mascot Pillow Pet |
| New Era Colorado Rockies Black-Purple Stoked Snapback Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Colorado_Rockies/browse/featuredproduct/644117/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_644000/ff_644117_xl.jpg&w=100 | 28.95 | New Era Colorado Rockies Black-Purple Stoked Snapback Hat |
| Texas Rangers Manager Stainless Steel Watch | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Texas_Rangers/browse/featuredproduct/722692/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_722000/ff_722692_xl.jpg&w=100 | 69.95 | Texas Rangers Manager Stainless Steel Watch |
| Majestic Justin Verlander Detroit Tigers #35 Youth Navy Blue Player Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Detroit_Tigers/browse/featuredproduct/723016/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_723000/ff_723016_xl.jpg&w=100 | 39.95 | Majestic Justin Verlander Detroit Tigers #35 Youth Navy Blue Player Pullover Hoo.. |
| Majestic Albert Pujols Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Replica Jersey - White | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Los_Angeles_Angels_of_Anaheim/browse/featuredproduct/777026/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_777000/ff_777026_xl.jpg&w=100 | 99.95 | Majestic Albert Pujols Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Replica Jersey - White |

Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "add a comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.