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There are strong indications that Diamondbacks General Manager Joe Garagiola Jr., who has been with the franchise since its inception a decade ago, could be leaving the club for a top-level executive seat with Major League Baseball.
According to industry sources, Commissioner Bud Selig has pegged Garagiola as a leading candidate to replace Sandy Alderson as baseball's vice president of operations. Alderson resigned from that position last week to become the CEO of the San Diego Padres.
Garagiola was not available for comment, but Arizona General Partner Jeff Moorad responded to the rumors Monday night.
''Joe is a great major league executive and it wouldn't surprise me if Major League Baseball or anyone else is interested in his services,'' Moorad said. ''At this point, he is firmly entrenched as our general manager. End of story.''
The MLB post carries wide-ranging responsibilities, which includes playing rules, security issues, umpiring, and handing out disciplinary action.
Garagiola has signed a series of one-year contract extensions with the Diamondbacks, who won three division titles and a World Series under his watch. Since Moorad joined the ownership group, however, and took more control of the day-to-day operations of the franchise, there had been talk of Garagiola possibly seeking others interests in baseball.
He has a similar background to Alderson, having previously practiced law both in Phoenix and New York, where he was the in-house counsel for the New York Yankees and owner George Steinbrenner. Alderson practiced law in San Francisco and was GM of the Oakland Athletics for 17 seasons.
Upon Moorad joining the Diamondbacks in an executive shakeup that included the ouster of team founder Jerry Colangelo, there had been speculation Garagiola might be on the outs.
There are strong indications that Diamondbacks General Manager Joe Garagiola Jr., who has been with the franchise since its inception a decade ago, could be leaving the club for a top-level executive seat with Major League Baseball.
According to industry sources, Commissioner Bud Selig has pegged Garagiola as a leading candidate to replace Sandy Alderson as baseball's vice president of operations. Alderson resigned from that position last week to become the CEO of the San Diego Padres.
Garagiola was not available for comment, but Arizona General Partner Jeff Moorad responded to the rumors Monday night.
''Joe is a great major league executive and it wouldn't surprise me if Major League Baseball or anyone else is interested in his services,'' Moorad said. ''At this point, he is firmly entrenched as our general manager. End of story.''
The MLB post carries wide-ranging responsibilities, which includes playing rules, security issues, umpiring, and handing out disciplinary action.
Garagiola has signed a series of one-year contract extensions with the Diamondbacks, who won three division titles and a World Series under his watch. Since Moorad joined the ownership group, however, and took more control of the day-to-day operations of the franchise, there had been talk of Garagiola possibly seeking others interests in baseball.
He has a similar background to Alderson, having previously practiced law both in Phoenix and New York, where he was the in-house counsel for the New York Yankees and owner George Steinbrenner. Alderson practiced law in San Francisco and was GM of the Oakland Athletics for 17 seasons.
Upon Moorad joining the Diamondbacks in an executive shakeup that included the ouster of team founder Jerry Colangelo, there had been speculation Garagiola might be on the outs.
