Kevin Towers set to join Reds front office
PHOENIX -- It did not take Kevin Towers long to land a new gig.
Towers is a few pen strokes from joining the Cincinnati organization, Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said at the major league general managers' meetings Tuesday at the Arizona Biltmore.
"We're still dotting the i's and dotted and crossing the t's," Jocketty said. "It will happen soon."
Towers was the Diamondbacks' general manager from 2011-14 before being fired on Sept. 5, three weeks before an injury-marred 64-98 season came ended. His roster retooling helped the D-backs to an NL West title in 2011.
Towers' resume was a selling point, Jocketty said.
"He has a great background in scouting," Jocketty said. "He loves scouting. His contacts. The information he has. The people he knows. He's obviously seen a lot of clubs on the West Coast. He has a vast knowledge and background that would be a great asset to us."
Towers was San Diego's general manager from 1996-2009 and spent 2010 as a special assignment scout with the New York Yankees before being hired by the D-backs in the September, 2010.
Former D-backs pitching coach Bryan Price is the Reds' manager and former D-backs All-Star Jay Bell is the Reds' bench coach. Former D-backs first-base coach Lee Tinsley also is on the staff.
Towers' title has not been determined.
"We're working on that," Jocketty said.
What do you call him, a reporter asked?
"KT," Jocketty said without missing a beat.