MESA, Ariz. -- Fired Philadelphia Phillies manager Terry Francona likely will make the short list to replace Buck Showalter with the Arizona Diamondbacks, a newspaper reported Wednesday.

The Tribune, a newspaper serving suburban Phoenix, cited a high-ranking source as saying Francona is high on the list of several decision-makers in the Diamondbacks' organization.

Francona, who was fired Sunday, managed the Phillies to a losing record in each of his four seasons in Philadelphia.

He played collegiately for the University of Arizona and managed in the Arizona Fall League in 1992 and 1994. He also has a history with Curt Schilling, the former Phillies ace traded to the Diamondbacks late in the season.

"He is the quintessential players' manager," Schilling said. "He got a raw deal in Philadelphia from the standpoint of support from upstairs."

Francona was excited to hear his name mentioned.

"If they decide they want to end up interviewing me, they won't have to pay for my flight. I'll jog out," he said from Florida.

Bob Brenley, a former major league catcher and currently a Diamondbacks television announcer, also has been mentioned as a potential successor to Showalter.

Showalter, who managed the team through its first three seasons, was fired Monday after the Diamondbacks finished third in the National League West.