Diamondbacks fire manager Kirk Gibson, bench coach Alan Trammell

The Diamondbacks have fired manager Kirk Gibson and bench coach Alan Trammell, according to an announcement from the team. The move comes less than 24 hours after the D-Backs completed an overhaul of its front office, hiring Dave Stewart as general manager and De Jon Watson as their executive vice president of baseball operations.

Gibson's firing comes as no surprise, as the D-Backs currently have the worst record in baseball with a 63-96 record. General manager Kevin Towers was relieved of his duties earlier in the month, leading many to speculate that Gibson could be next to go once new leadership took over.

Gibson, 57. ends his first managerial tenure with a 353-375 record (.485) in four and a half seasons at the helm of the Diamondbacks. He led the team to an NL West title in his first full season and was named 2011 NL Manager of the Year before the team finished .500 in each of the last two seasons. Gibson may draw interest from other clubs as a coach or manager due to his success in 2011, but the Astros and Rangers (the only teams with managerial vacancies at the moment) seem like unlikely destinations.

The Diamondbacks announced that they will immediately begin their managerial search, so it makes sense to look at names that have a direct tie to Tony La Russa, the club's chief baseball officer. At first glance, White Sox third base coach Joe McEwing and Cardinals third base coach Jose Oquendo would make sense for Arizona's opening, as well as Phil Nevin, who is in the running for the Astros' job but managed the Diamondbacks' Triple-A affiliate in Reno this season.