What does Tony La Russa's new job mean for the St. Louis Cardinals?

As soon as I heard that Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa was being named as the Chief Baseball Officer of the Arizona Diamondbacks, I immediately grew concerned about what it would mean for the future of the St. Louis Cardinals.

It’s not so much the case as when the Cardinals lost scouting director Jeff Luhnow to the Houston Astros to serve as their new general manager. The hole was filled by Dan Kantrovitz and he’s doing as fine of a job ever as the club’s scouting director. That’s the beauty of the Cardinals organization. When somebody gets hired away from another team, they plug the hole with somebody else to maintain the stability.

With the La Russa hire, it means that some Cardinals executives or coaches could soon find their way to Phoenix. Peter Gammons already tweeted one potential move this morning.

Execs suggest Tony LaRussa may seek Cards Dir. Player Development boss Gary LaRocque as D'Backs GM candidate. A key in club's current run...
— Peter Gammons (@pgammo) May 20, 2014

and highly-respected successor to the great George Kissell in carrying on Cardinal tradition
— Peter Gammons (@pgammo) May 20, 2014

LaRocque was a part of a series of moves in January that saw his being named the Director of Player Development.

USA Today‘s Bob Nightengale speculates on a move that could prompt an opening in the Cardinals coaching staff. Nightengale suggests that current Cardinals bench coach Mike Aldrete might “be a candidate to replace Gibson.”

There’s always the possibility that The Secret Weapon, Jose Oquendo, gets that managerial job that he’s been interviewing for over the last few years.

If Walt Jocketty is hired to replace Kevin Towers as the Diamondbacks GM, I would not think that there would be many Cardinals officials moving to Phoenix.

What does Tony La Russa’s new job mean for the St. Louis Cardinals?

By Danielle | May 20, 2014