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Report: D-Backs owners considering firing Stewart, La Russa

Mark J. Rebilas / USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Diamondbacks' failed season could result in a major front-office shakeup.

Ownership for the last-place club is strongly considering making sweeping changes that could result in general manger Dave Stewart, chief baseball officer Tony La Russa, and assistant GM De Jon Watson losing their jobs, according to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports.

The embarrassment of a potential last-place finish reportedly has ownership unimpressed and a high-ranking executive with direct knowledge of the Diamondbacks' plans tells Nightengale that ownership is considering firing the trio rather than exercising their options before the Aug. 31 deadline.

La Russa joined the Diamondbacks in May of 2014 in order to oversee the entire baseball operations department and hired Stewart four months later. The duo have compiled a 131-157 record in parts of three seasons together.

"I think our group has earned the benefit of the doubt," La Russa told Nightengale. "But it's their decision. The way I look at it, if you get an opportunity, you don't complain about the length of the opportunity. So I don't complain about that. ...

"If somebody in charge is upset enough, they'll make a change."

After a promising young core finished 79-83 in 2015, the Diamondbacks went all in with a highly aggressive approach this offseason. They inked Zack Greinke to a six-year, $206.5-million deal and traded away former No. 1 pick Dansby Swanson and Ender Inciarte for Shelby Miller, who finds himself in the minors after a rough season.

The Diamondbacks have not reached the playoffs since 2011 and have not finished inside the top two in the National League West since 2013.

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