The D-Backs on Thursday "officially announced the additions of Dave Stewart and De Jon Watson to their front office," according to Nick Piccoro of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. Stewart is "coming aboard" as Senior VP & GM and Watson as Senior VP/Baseball Operations. Both will report to D-Backs Chief Baseball Officer Tony La Russa, "suggesting they are on somewhat equal footing in the organization's revamped baseball ops department." It "seems likely that Stewart will be more involved in putting together the big-league roster and on contract negotiations and that Watson will play a role in player development and scouting." Stewart "becomes the fourth" GM in franchise history. But where La Russa and Stewart "might be lacking in front-office experience, Watson could help fill in the gaps." There is "also no resolution with Kevin Towers, who was fired" as GM but "offered an opportunity to remain in the organization." The club "appears to view Towers as someone who could be a sort of sounding board for the new regime" given that neither La Russa, Stewart or Watson has been a GM before (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 9/26).
STATUS QUO: In Cincinnati, John Fay cites a source as saying that both Reds GM Walt Jocketty and manager Bryan Price "will be back" for '15. Jocketty is in the final year of his contract, but an extension "will likely be announced next week." Price, "just finishing his first year as manager, has two more years remaining on his contract." The Reds are "finishing up what will be their worst season in five years" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 9/26).
