D-Backs Chief Baseball Officer Tony La Russa yesterday said that the team "has selected its new director of analytics, and will announce the hire after the GM meetings" conclude this week. In Phoenix, Zach Buchanan notes La Russa "has been steadfast that he doesn't want the analytics side of things to intrude on the manager's ability to make decisions in-game." Once the hire is announced and a replacement for Scouting Dir Ray Montgomery is found, La Russa "sees his front-office team as pretty much assembled," though La Russa "won't rule out any further changes" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 11/13).
WELCOME THE COMPETITION: In San Antonio, W. Scott Bailey reported Spurs Owner Peter Holt "has not ruled out the possibility of some involvement with the Raiders should they land in the Alamo City." Holt said that he indicated to Raiders Owner Mark Davis in July that "if they came, we would like to be part of that." Holt added, "It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that (an NFL franchise) would be a direct competitor (for the Spurs). But long-term, one more pro sports team would be a very positive thing for this community. We would certainly be able to adapt" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 11/12).
HAIL IN THE FORECAST? CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora yesterday said of the Redskins making headlines recently for discord in the locker room, "The problem there is when the climate is so tainted -- and it’s been so toxic between the Skins and the media, and the Skins and themselves, and the owner and the front office, and the coach and the front office for over a decade -- you now basically are just inviting problems every Sunday." La Canfora, appearing on a podcast for Baltimore-based WJZ-FM, added, "If I really wanted to, I could go on TV every Sunday morning and say something that is grounded in truth that makes the Redskins look like a buffoon organization" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 11/12).
