Report: D-Backs deciding whether to fire Chip Hale
The Arizona Diamondbacks are reportedly considering a major shakeup to their last-place team, with sources telling Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports the club is deciding whether to fire manager Chip Hale midway through his second season and replace him with Triple-A skipper Phil Nevin.
The report comes on the heels of another disappointing home series for the 40-55 Diamondbacks, who suffered a two-game sweep at the hands of Toronto to fall a season-high 15 games under .500. Arizona's 17-35 mark at Chase Field is the second-worst home record in the majors.
When asked about the possible shakeup, Diamondbacks general manager Dave Stewart said, "I can't comment on rumors," according to Rosenthal.
Hale and the Diamondbacks entered the year with lofty expectations after a flashy offseason that included signing Zack Greinke to the richest pitcher contract of all time and trading No. 1 pick Dansby Swanson in a package for Shelby Miller. From the moment the season began, though, things appeared doomed in the desert.
Star outfielder A.J. Pollock suffered a potential season-ending injury during spring training, Greinke was unusually ineffective through the first two months of the year, and Miller has been unable to shake a disastrous campaign that culminated in him being sent down to Triple-A over the All-Star break.
Miller's demotion followed the trade of Brad Ziegler to the Boston Red Sox, perhaps the first indication that Arizona had finally abandoned its preseason goal of contending for the playoffs. Following the Ziegler trade, Stewart faced intense scrutiny over the package of prospects Arizona received for the reliever, with rival executives claiming the Diamondbacks GM spurned better offers than the one he accepted.
Hale's also been a lightning rod for criticism this season after venting over the media's perceived "over-hyped" coverage of his club to begin the year. In his first season as manager, he helped guide the D-Backs to a surprising third-place finish and 79-83 record in 2015.