MLB Insider: New GM Criteria Must To Be Redefined

The dust is starting to settle in downtown Phoenix but the structure of the house still needs a re-build.

No, we’re not talking about Chase Field, the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks. We’re referencing their vacant general manager and manager positions after the D-backs parted ways with Dave Stewart and Chip Hale on Monday.

OFFICIAL: The #Dbacks have parted ways with Sr. Vice President & GM Dave Stewart and Manager Chip Hale.

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) October 3, 2016

Various reports say the club has already started their search for replacements but it still remains to be seen which direction Ken Kendrick and Derrick Hall will go as they pick up the pieces of a 63-93 season underlined by the lowest single-season attendance mark in franchise history.

One person within baseball circles believes the criteria for a new general manager is simplified down to baseball basics which have at times eluded past franchise front office hires.

“Here they are hitting reset once again,” ESPN baseball insider Pedro Gomez told Sports360AZ.com’s Brad Cesmat Wednesday morning. “You just hope that for once they maybe go after a solid baseball guy who has a resume where you can look and say, ‘Ok, this guy has been in the game at this level. He’s run different departments. He knows how to run a meeting.’ That’s part of it…that’s the biggest key to righting the ship.”

Gomez believes Arizona may be smart to follow the Kansas City Royals’ path during this evaluation period. KC’s current general manager Dayton Moore came from Atlanta where he worked with and under John Schuerholz with the Braves during their long run of success.

“Dayton Moore came in and immediately commanded the room,” Gomez explained. “This guy comes from a real background from a real organization that’s used to winning. We’re a little broken right now but at least it’s the right guy.”

In many baseball circles the D-backs have become the butt of jokes when it comes to front office stability and how to run a franchise. Arizona has just two winning seasons in the last decade.

“They need somebody that the other baseball people are going to respect,” Gomez said. “They need somebody that has experience, maybe not at the general manager level, but every other level in an organization.”