Torey Lovullo, the manager who just wrapped up his tenth season running the Arizona Diamondbacks, is officially sticking around for two more years. Multiple outlets, including FOX Sports MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal, reported on Thursday afternoon that the D-backs have retained their skipper, confirming he’ll be at the helm for at least two more seasons.
A Decade of Ups and Downs in the Desert
Lovullo’s tenure in Arizona, which kicked off for the 2017 MLB season, has certainly been a ride. He’s now got 750 managerial wins, making him far and away the leader in Diamondbacks history. Kirk Gibson is way back in second with 353 wins, just to put that in perspective. The high point? Without a doubt, it’s gotta be that 2023 National League pennant win, which happened in his seventh year. They also made the playoffs back in 2017, which was a monster year for them with 93 regular-season wins, their most under Lovullo.
But it hasn’t all been pennants and high win counts. This past season, his tenth, the D-backs finished 86-76. And guess what? That makes three consecutive seasons where they’ve missed the playoffs. That’s a tough pill to swallow for fans, no matter who you are. Lovullo and General Manager Mike Hazen have been a package deal since 2017, with Lovullo having previously served as bench coach for the Boston Red Sox from 2013-16 and first-base coach for the Toronto Blue Jays from 2011-12, both times under manager John Farrell.
The Wild Offseason Ahead: What Does This Really Mean for the Pitching Staff?
So, the manager’s locked up, but what about the guys on the field? This decision drops right as the D-backs stare down a potentially wild offseason. A bunch of their key players are set to hit the free-agent market. We’re talking about starting pitchers Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, and Mike Soroka. Plus, reliever Taylor Clarke and catcher James McCann are also on that list. Keeping Lovullo at the top is a clear signal from the front office, but when a guy like Zac Gallen, a cornerstone of that rotation, is about to test the waters, you gotta wonder how this plays into his decision. What’s the plan to keep the talent around?
With Lovullo staying, the D-backs have made their move on the coaching side. Now, the real work begins. Can they keep their pitching staff intact? Will we see a radically different roster when next season kicks off? That’s the burning question that’s gonna define their next few months.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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