Gibson and La Russa are strategizing

PHOENIX -- The D-backs' new chief baseball officer, Tony La Russa, has spent much of his first two weeks in the position observing the D-backs' Minor League teams, but that hasn't stopped him from keeping an eye on the big league club.

D-backs manager Kirk Gibson said Saturday that he and La Russa, whose hiring was announced May 17, talk on occasion about the state of the D-backs.

"[He is] trying to get to know the organization and all the people that are in the organization, all the players that are in the organization," Gibson said. "I wouldn't say [we talk] all the time, yet he communicates enough to make his point, and I've told him from Day 1, 'I want to know if you have any suggestions, would you do anything different?'"

Gibson also addressed the conjecture that the rest of this season will be his chance to prove himself to La Russa in order to keep his job after a substandard start to this season.

"I don't think about that, I don't think that way," Gibson said. "I'm just trying to get better every day, trying to prepare this team every day. We're trying to get better, and everything takes care of itself one way or the other."