Mariners Giving GM Zduriencik Another Year

Sep 23, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik presents Seattle Mariners left fielder

(28) with a “300th Career Home Run” plaque prior to the game between the Seattle Mariners and the Kansas City Royals at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Seattle Mariners President Chuck Armstrong confirmed on Tuesday that General Manager Jack Zduriencik will be back in 2014, according to Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times.

Armstrong declined to go into detail in regard to how long Zduriencik will be extended or the club’s reasons for deciding to keep him. Armstrong cited club policy in the lack of disclosure.

Manager Eric Wedge is not under contract for 2014, though his coaching staff is. Zduriencik has said that he will be deciding on Wedge’s future as M’s skipper once the season is over.

I personally am not a huge fan of what Zduriencik has done. While the young talent he has drafted is promising, his free agent acquisitions and trades leave something to be desired. Here are just a few of the remarkable players Jack has brought to Seattle: Russell Branyan, Chone Figgins, Casey Kotchman, Milton Bradley, Jack Cust, Kevin Millwood. I know I’m forgetting some.

Yes, he brought in Cliff Lee and promptly got rid of him. The jury is still out on several players like Justin Smoak. I think if Zduriencik were doing his job right, we would not have seen such regression this year from last.

I will be starting a new weekly segment next week called “GM For a Day” where I detail the things I would do with the Mariners if I were given GM powers for one day. What would you do?