ESPN’s Jim Bowden reports that current Nationals GM Mike Rizzo is at the top of the Diamondbacks’ wish list to become their next president of baseball operations. The D’Backs are expected to ask the Nationals permission to speak to Rizzo when the playoffs are over. As Bowden notes, Rizzo has two years left on his contract with the Nationals.
The Diamondbacks had a disappointing 2016, finishing in fourth place in the NL West at 69-93. The organization recently removed Tony La Russa from his role as chief baseball officer. That was shortly after firing GM Dave Stewart and manager Chip Hale. Bringing in Rizzo would be the Diamondbacks’ first step in what figures to be a major overhaul.
Rizzo does have a connection to the Diamondbacks, as he spent seven years from 2000-06 as the club’s scouting director. Rizzo was in the running to become the Diamondbacks’ general manager in 2005 but Josh Byrnes ultimately wound up with the position. That led Rizzo to the Nationals.