D-backs set to deliberate on managerial pick

PHOENIX -- The D-backs are nearing the finish line in their search for a replacement for manager Kirk Gibson, as team president/CEO Derrick Hall, chief baseball officer Tony La Russa, general manager Dave Stewart and senior vice president of baseball operations De Jon Watson will meet on Sunday night to continue their deliberations.

"Tony and I will be flying back today, and we'll get together later this evening with Derrick and De Jon," Stewart said on Sunday morning. "We'll try to put this thing to bed before night's end."

Stewart is in Los Angeles, while La Russa is in Northern California.

The team acknowledged having nine candidates: Sandy Alomar Jr., Jay Bell, Tim Bogar, Andy Green, Chip Hale, Joe McEwing, Phil Nevin, Jim Tracy, and Turner Ward.

"We've been in this process and thinking it and overthinking it and trying to figure out who is going to be the best for our team, as we should," Stewart said. "The guy that we pick is my first move as a general manager and Tony's second move in his new position, so we want the right guy. So we should have this thing done, probably we hope, by [Monday]."

The D-backs would likely need to get permission from Major League Baseball if they wanted to announce the hire this week, because MLB prefers all focus and attention to be on the postseason. In the past, however, teams have been given permission to make announcements during the postseason.