Arizona Diamondbacks hold GM, Manager for three more years – MLB News
The Arizona Diamondbacks has extended the contracts of their General Manager and the Manager for next three years under certain conditions, according to sources.
A deal signed on Friday provided GM Kevin Towers and Manager Kirk Gibson options for two more years with certain conditions. Both the Manager and the General Manager will have to use this option by 2013 and the management will closely look at the performances.
The front office of the Arizona Diamondbacks has hope that both people will be interested in staying with the club.
"I am so proud of Kevin and Kirk and the direction they have taken our ballclub in a short time span," Diamondbacks’ President and CEO Derrick Hall said Friday. "They are both on the same page and the work dynamic is magical. It is my opinion that their
performances this past season warranted a reward."
Towers became the part of the club before the last season when the team management called him from the San Diego Padres after Jerry Dipoto was promoted to the position of General Manager. The position was empty because of the termination of the Josh Byrnes
in the month of July. Gibson was also become the part of the club when the team officials fired manager A. J. Hinch on the same day as Byrnes. Both were fired because of the humiliating performances in the last two seasons.
Diamondbacks played their two consecutive worst ever seasons in 2009 and 2010 in which the club lost 97 and 92 outings respectively. The appointment of Towers and Gibson worked positively for the club, which won 94 outings in this season to grab the National
League West title after four years. D-backs won their last title in 2007.
In this season, the club lost at the hands of the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Division Series. However, the jump from 92 lost to 94 wins was the big achievement for the club. After losing the final outing to the Brewers, Towers appreciated the
efforts put by the players throughout the season.
He said, "I'll tell you what; it's a great group of guys. We talked about there is always next year and next year will be better. I don't know how it could be better."
The Diamondbacks will be looking to both Towers and Gibson to guide them to a successful 2012 season.
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