The D-backs have informed Senior VP/Baseball Operations De Jon Watson that he "will not have his contract option picked up" for '17, the first of what "could be several dominos to fall in leadership positions within the organization," according to Nick Piecoro of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. Though Chief Baseball Officer Tony La Russa made the announcement yesterday evening, he "stressed that the Watson dismissal in no way clarified La Russa’s own situation for next season, nor that" of Senior VP & GM Dave Stewart. Both La Russa and Stewart’s jobs "are being 'evaluated' by ownership" and President & CEO Derrick Hall as the club is "nearing the end of one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history." La Russa is "working on a contract that expires at the end of this season." La Russa "spoke highly of Watson but suggested the organization might have too many voices in the front office." A source said that the decision was made "more by La Russa and Stewart" than by Managing General Partner Ken Kendrick or Hall. But another source "disputed the idea that it was anyone but ownership that wanted to part ways with Watson." La Russa "acknowledged the uncertainty he and Stewart face, adding if it were up to him he’d prefer to meet with Kendrick and Hall before the end of the season rather than after, given the offseason planning that needs to take place" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 9/19). The AP's Jose Romero notes the D-backs "made an aggressive push to compete in the offseason" by giving P Zack Greinke a $206.5M, six-year free-agent contract and "trading a bevy of young players" to the Braves for P Shelby Miller. Greinke is "having his worst season in years, and Miller pitched poorly enough to get a midseason demotion to Triple-A" (AP, 9/19).
