Mike Hazen Is Off To Arizona, Is Torey Lovullo Next?
BOSTON (CBS) -- Mike Hazen is now the former GM of the Boston Red Sox, as he heads to Arizona to run the Diamondbacks. His first job in rebuilding that team is to find a new manager, but he probably won't have to look too hard.
According to a report by USA Today's Bob Nightengale, Red Sox bench coach Torey Lovullo is a strong candidate (possibly the favorite) to land the open position.
Lovullo, 51, had been rumored for numerous managerial positions following his successful stint as interim manager in Boston after John Farrell was diagnosed with cancer towards the end of the 2015 season. Boston went 28-21 under Lovullo, but he opted to rejoin the Boston bench when a healthy Farrell returned in 2016. He was awarded with a two-year contract for his loyalty.
Now, Lovullo may have the perfect landing spot of his own, given his close relationship with Hazen after they worked together in both Cleveland and Boston. Red Sox president of baseball ops. Dave Dombrowski discussed Hazen's departure on a Monday morning conference call, and said he'd be surprised if the former Boston GM didn't ask to speak with Lovullo about Arizona's vacancy at manager.
Dombrowski also added that there's a "limit" to the number of Boston personnel that Hazen can take with him to Arizona.
The Diamondbacks cleaned house following a 69-93 finish to the 2016 season, firing both GM Dave Stewart and Chip Hale after the disappointing campaign.
