Report: Diamondbacks may soon fire their manager and make major changes

Hale's days as manager may be numbered, according to a report

The Diamondbacks have been a pretty glaring disappointment this season. They made big strides last season, improving by 15 wins over their last-place finish in 2014. As well, they spent this past winter fortifying the rotation with Zack Greinke on the free agent market and Shelby Miller via trade. As well, they also made less notable moves like trading for Jean Segura and signing Tyler Clippard and Rickie Weeks. Expectations in the desert were somewhat high, all of this is to say.

Well, at this writing, the Diamondbacks are in last place in the NL West, on pace for 94 losses, and given a flat 0.0 percent chance of making the playoffs by the SportsLine Projection System. It comes as no surprise, then, that manager Chip Hale might be on unstable ground. On that point, here's this from Fox's Ken Rosenthal ...

Sources: #DBacks considering managerial change. Nevin would replace Hale. Stewart: "I can't comment on rumors." h/t @TheMontyShow.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 22, 2016

"Nevin" would be Phil Nevin, the former big-leaguer who's presently managing the D-backs Triple-A affiliate in Reno.

As for Hale, he's gone 119-138 (.463) as Arizona manager. The downward trend in the face of higher internal expectations, though, may do him in. If he move is made, then the next step is for the front office to take a long, hard look at its own highly dubious player-personnel decisions.