The Diamondbacks ousted Dave Stewart from the GM seat yesterday, bringing his tenure to an end after just two years. Stewart discussed his feelings on the matter with Bob Nightengale of USA Today, who described the scene yesterday as chief baseball officer Tony La Russa informed his long-time friend that he’d no longer be with the organization.
That order, of course, came from above La Russa’s head, with managing partner Ken Kendrick and president/CEO Derrick Hall deciding it was time to move on. La Russa’s own fate remains to be determined, but he won’t control the organization’s baseball operations any longer.
Stewart expressed little in the way of regret, explaining that he believes he ought to have been retained but also that he will land on his feet. After all, the long-time big league hurler has compiled a rather varied resume following his playing times. Most recently, before heading to Arizona, he served as a player agent.
“Quite frankly,” said Stewart, “I’ve got better things to do.” Just what those things will be isn’t clear yet. “I just got to figure out what to do next,” said Stewart, “but really, I’ll be just fine.”
What Stewart won’t be doing is airing grievances against the Arizona organization. While he acknowledges that he was “angry” when he left the Blue Jays organization 15 years ago after being passed over for an open GM seat, Stewart says that he’s “not angry this time.” Instead, he said, it’s “almost a relief.” And though he and Kendrick “were oil and water,” Stewart says that was just a reflection of personality differences; he does not “have anything bad to say about” the D-Backs owner.
As for the state of the roster and farm that he leaves behind, Stewart expressed optimism. “This team will be back,” he said. “They’re not far away at all.” Asserting that he stands by his work at the helm of the baseball ops department, Stewart suggested that it may take some time for the fruits of his labor to become obvious to the rest of the game. “You may not know it for a couple of years,” he said, “but you will.’’
Dookie Howser, MD
“I’ve got better things to do.”
“I just got to figure out what to do next,”
Not sure how these two things reconcile with each other
caryloyd
He is an idiot in over his head.
rycm131
It’s speaks volumes about how he thinks. How did anyone every hire him?
Dagmar
I was thinking the same thing.
buddyleex
Stewart salty AF
notagain27
Sounds like he got a pretty good severance package with the stipulation he wouldn’t make any negative comments.
johncena2016
He seriously looks like the Crying Jordan face in the article picture.
gmflores27
Racist
BoldyMinnesota
He’s not wrong
Slim_Hurley 2
Get off these discussion boards if you’re going to make stupid comments like that.
Dookie Howser, MD
Pretty sure it was a joke…
bbatardo
I really wouldn’t be surprised if the Dbacks competed next year. On paper they look pretty solid if they can get another starter and bullpen arm.
dbacksrs
We need a couple bullpen arms.
theo2016
No. .500 record is a 60th percentile projection for them next year.
jd396
I’m going to miss that picture of him in the regular “D-Backs Did Something Weird Again” posts here.
Jeff Todd
It really is priceless.
A'sfaninUK
I still will contend that he was and still is, blacked out drunk .
Frozen rope
This organization lacks a true direction even though it has some outstanding pieces. It is time they go get someone who can lead them down that path. It’s more than getting a arm or looking good on paper. Start with leadership.
Voice of Reason
While I hate to see anyone lose their job, Stewart did make $19 million so money shouldn’t be a problem.
That said, I’m sure he will never be given the reigns of another baseball franchise. He was bad.
metseventually 2
This guy totally destroyed the DBacks by trading Inciarte and Swanson for a No.2 at best starter and all he has to say is “I’ve got better things to do”. What a POS.
schellis 2
Stewarts complete lack of understanding a minor league system is what will doom the Diamondbacks years to come. Not only did he throw boat loads of money at FA he also traded away the majority of the young talent in the system for mid-tier major league players
Unless you have a team that has no issues running well over the luxury tax limits all the time it is going to make things very difficult going forward since the system will not produce young cheap but very good talent.
Easily was one of the worst GMs in the game since he couldn’t get this basic concept. He was working like someone who only cared if the players he traded had a union card, and operated like he was in a one year fantasy league with no eye at all at the future.
guinnesspelican
It should be obvious to all that the fruits of labor, that Dave mentioned, will pay off only when the disastrous moves that were made can be off set with some good moves.
Unfortunately, there will be difficulty in finding a team that will make those kind of moves unless Dave gets employment as a GM on another team and he can cancel out his own mistakes?
dodgerblue88
Stewart suggested that it may take some time for the fruits of his labor to become obvious to the rest of the game. “You may not know it for a couple of years,” he said, “but you will.’’
He followed that up by saying “Just wait until the Braves win the East in 2018.”
As a Dodgers fan, it’s sad to see Tony and Dave go…
backinblue
He’ll play the race card again, I’m sure, like he did when the Jays didn’t hire him. Is he the worst GM of all time? He’s definitely in the running..
Dave Littlefield
I say no, no one shall ever take my title. Pirates fans laugh at you for even thinking this.
Dave Littlefield
How quickly we forget.
tsolid 2
Looks like it’s only YOU that’s bringing race, Clown.
theo2016
No, him not getting hired by the jays was in the article, and Dave Stewart did say he didn’t get the job because he was black. You can sit back down pc police.
captain_denny
Wow, an entire Dave Stewart article without mention of Shelby Miller.
gamemusic3 2
So, Ruben Amaro, Ned Coletti, and Dave Stewart are out.
Who is the public embarrassment ‘lolmath’ GM now?
LH
Preller. You forgot Towers.
Cam
I was about to make a joke about how badly they botched up this team, but I’m like a kid in a candy store trying to choose which mess to run with.
There will be fruits coming off these terrible trades – they’ll just be dazzling elsewhere. That’s what happens when you trade away a lot for not a lot. Or trade away talent just to save a few dollars.
julyn82001
If the relationship with Kendrick was “salt and water” from the scratch as Stewart pointed out then one has to wonder how in the world was Stewart hired in the first place. Corporate America may suck well sports in America may not be that far away…
ronnyalton
I dont… I think you…. Uhm………What?