PHOENIX

The Arizona Diamondbacks had reason to believe their four-year run of mediocrity would end this season, maybe even lead to a playoff berth.

The Diamondbacks lured Zack Greinke to the desert, bolstered their pitching staff even more with the acquisition of Shelby Miller and had all those young, talented players coming back. Why not think big?

Instead, Arizona fell flat again, costing general manager Dave Stewart and manager Chip Hale their jobs. Chief Baseball Officer Tony La Russa remains, though it’s unclear what his role will be.

“We are very grateful to Dave and Chip who are widely respected throughout the game of baseball,” Diamondbacks managing general partner Ken Kendrick said in a statement Monday. “Ultimately, the results have not been what we had hoped and while that responsibility is shared by all of us, we have decided that a change is necessary.”

Braves

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves are thrilled with the job that interim manager Brian Snitker did this season.

They’re still going to look at other potential candidates to lead the team in 2017.

Less than 24 hours after the Braves finished a last-place season with a flourish, team president John Hart said former managers Bud Black and Ron Washington would be interviewed for the job, and other outside candidates may be considered as well.

That doesn’t mean Snitker is out of the running.

“Brian Snitker did a tremendous job,” Hart said Monday. “The year was spiraling out of control. He restored order.”

The Braves won 50 of their last 97 games, including their finale at Turner Field on Sunday. The team is moving to a new stadium in the suburbs next season.

Atlanta was 9-28 when manager Fredi Gonzalez was fired and stood at 18- 46 when it began a dramatic turnaround under Snitker.

Rockies

DENVER (AP) — The relationship between Walt Weiss and his general manager deteriorated over the last several months. He and Jeff Bridich certainly see eye-to-eye on this: The Colorado Rockies have quite a few of the pieces in place to be a contender.

Next step, finding a new manager.

Weiss is out as manager of the Rockies after four seasons. In a statement Monday, the Rockies said Weiss decided to step down.

However, he really didn’t have a job to come back to because his contract expired after the season finale. Bridich, who took over as GM two years ago, will now get to select his own manager.

The Rockies finished 75- 87 this season, their best record since 2010.