Arizona Diamondbacks CEO Derrick Hall says he hopes to have a new general manager in place as early as the end of the season, according to Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic.

“I’d like to have a GM in place before the season ends,” Hall said. “You allow teams to get through the draft, get through the trade deadline and then start the ball rolling (in the interview process).”

Hall said he’s laid the groundwork for interviewing candidates by telling people with other clubs that he plans to formally ask for their permission to interview candidates in the coming weeks.

Interim GM Jerry Dipoto will be a part of the interview process, as will “a handful” of others.

“Probably not as many as 10,” Hall said. “Probably closer to five.”

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports said last weekend that Hall is very pleased with Dipoto and interim manager Kirk Gibson.  DiPoto will be at the top of the list, but Hall figures to interview former Padres’ GM Kevin Towers, Dodgers assistant GM Logan White and Yankees’ vice president Damon Oppenheimer (if New York grants permission). The next GM will then have the say as to who the next manager will be.