Diamondbacks fire manager Kirk Gibson

The Diamondbacks have fired manager Kirk Gibson, they announced in a press release Friday. They have also relieved bench coach Alan Trammel of his duties, but named him interim manager during Arizona's final series this weekend. 

The firing of Gibson comes just a day after Arizona named Dave Stewart their next general manager. Tony La Russa, the Diamondbacks' Chief Baseball Officer, announced Gibson's firing.

"Kirk has done an admirable job under difficult circumstances and we are grateful for his professionalism and his dedicated service to the organization over the past eight years...We feel like it is time for a fresh start and with our recent restructuring in Baseball Operations, we want to get started immediately moving in a new direction. We are also appreciative of Alan Trammell for all that he has done for the D-backs and have great respect for what both men have accomplished in the game of baseball."

Gibson took over as manager midway through the 2010 season. He has led the Diamondbacks to a record of 353-375 during his tenure, winning the National League West in 2011. He also claimed National League Manager of the Year that season. Since, however, Gibson has led the talented Diamondbacks to mediocre 81-81 seasons in both 2012 and 2013, and has led them to a MLB-worst 63-96 thus far in 2014.

Gibson is known as an "old-school" manager and is often criticized for his style of managing. Earlier this year, it appears as if Arizona pitcher Randall Delgado threw at Pittsburgh Pirates superstar outfielder Andrew McCutchen. It looks as if this was done in "retaliation" of what happened the night before, when Paul Goldschmidt's season ended when he was hit on a pitch that had no intent behind it. 

The gritty style of managing may not land Gibson another managing job right away, if ever. Baseball is beyond that, making it hard to see him landing a job with another team. As for the Diamondbacks' vacant spot, names to watch out for are Joe McEwing, Jose Oquendo, and Phil Nevin, who managed the Triple-A team this year, Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish tweets. As John Gambadoro of 98.7 Phoenix tweets, the Diamondbacks will also take a look at Reds bench coach Jay Bell for the job. 

As the Diamondbacks continue to clean house in management this year, manager Kirk Gibson and bench coach Alan Trammel are the next to go. Maybe a change in scenery could be the key to bringing this team back to playoff contention in 2015. They have plenty of talent on their roster and a young pitching staff could definitely shoot them up the latter next season.

--Devan F.

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