Should the D-backs bring back Torey Lovullo?

Granted, Lovullo’s faster hook can be partially explained by the fact that the quality of his starting pitching has generally declined since his tenure began. In 2017, Zack Greinke was a legitimate ace, and both Robbie Ray and Zack Godley had breakout seasons. Those are the type of guys you want pitching deep in games.

Nonetheless, the very next year, both Ray and Godley posted ERAs of 9.00 or higher when facing hitters for the third time. Lovullo’s hook has only continued to quicken ever since.

This year, only Merrill Kelly and Madison Bumgarner have faced more than 100 batters the third time through the order, with Zac Gallen right behind at 98. Aside from those three, Lovullo has extended those opportunities pretty sparingly. When he has, D-backs pitchers have performed near league average. All that to say, there is little evidence that Torey Lovullo is mismanaging his pitchers.

It’s probably easy to point to situations here and there where his decisions have backfired, but frankly, that’s probably more indicative of a bad roster than a manager that isn’t pressing the right buttons. Lovullo has had very few bullpen weapons to work with throughout his tenure.

From a player’s perspective, Lovullo has always received high praise. Many have suggested that he stunted the growth of players who have found success elsewhere. Go ask American League Cy Young candidate Robbie Ray if Lovullo held him back – the answer is going to be no. Ray’s first breakout season came the year Lovullo arrived. It’s a baseless argument.

This is not to say Lovullo doesn’t have his quirks. We’ve seen his signature player loyalty get him in trouble time and time again. He should probably leverage platoons more. His pre-scheduled off-days for players somehow always seem to plant the hottest hitter on the bench.

There is also a valid argument to be made that a very young team would benefit from having a new voice in the clubhouse to usher in the next era of Diamondbacks baseball.

But for a team that is crawling to the finish line amid serious roster depth questions at virtually every position, Lovullo is probably the least of their concerns.

Notably, the Diamondbacks have historically had little patience with managers in similar situations as Lovullo.

Just three years after winning them a World Series, Bob Brenly was let go in mid-2004 in what turned out to be the worst season in franchise history. Similarly, the club moved on from 2011 N.L. Manager of the Year Kirk Gibson after an underwhelming 2014 season.

If club history is any indication, it would be far from shocking to see the D-backs move on from Lovullo.

That said, one thing is certain: Lovullo is beloved across baseball. If the D-backs let him go, he won’t be unemployed for long.