Mariners News: Update on M's GM Search

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Aug 24, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; General view of Safeco Field before a game between the Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

The Mariners cut ties with Jack Zduiencik back on August 28th, and they have been quietly working to fill the void ever since. The firing of Jack Z was years in the making, and the franchise is once again searching for a new head man in the front office.

Zduriencik’s tenure in Seattle was largely unproductive. He spent nine years in the Milwaukee Brewers front office prior to being hired by the Mariners in 2008. Z arrived in the Emerald City with a reputation for developing young talent. However, he was unable to duplicate the success he had drafting players in Milwaukee.

The Mariners amassed a record of 505-595 under the command of Zduriencik, good for a .459 winning percentage. Across his seven seasons in Seattle, the M’s tallied just two winning seasons. Worst of all, the Mariners failed to make any postseason appearances with Z at the helm.

Today, we will take a look at some of the names associated to the opening according to MLB Trade Rumors. The Mariners originally intended to hire someone with prior GM experience, but they have now expanded their search to include less experienced candidates. We will begin the slideshow with Jeff Kingston, who has served as the Mariners’ General Manager since Zduriencik’s firing.

Next: Jeff Kingston

Jeff Kingston

After serving as the Mariners Assistant General Manager to Jack Z, Jeff Kingston was hired as the M’s interim GM in August. Kingston originally worked under Theo Epstein in San Diego before joining Seattle in September of 2009.

Kingston decided to send Mike Zunino down to Tacoma on his first day on the job. Zunino dominated with the Rainiers, and it was assumed he would return to Seattle in early September. However, Kingston opted to sent the 24-year-old backstop to the Instructional League in Arizona to completely overhaul his swing.

Kingston has dipped his toes into the trade market as well, shipping a pair of veteran outfielders on August 31. His first move was trading Justin Ruggiano to the Los Angeles Dodgers for a player to be named later. Later in the day, Kingston sent Austin Jackson to the Chicago Cubs for future considerations and a player to be named later.

Typically, being the top advisor for the previous regime is a deficit, but this situation appears to be a little different. Kevin Mather is the Mariners President, and he was very slow to fire Zduriencik. Mather has also made it clear that he prefers to keep Lloyd McClendon as the manager in 2016. The M’s brass liked the majority of moves made by Zduriencik, and Kingston played a key role in many of those decisions. Also working in the 38-year-old’s favor is the fact that he is likely willing to keep McClendon as the M’s skipper next season.

Personally, I hope the Mariners do not hire Jeff Kingston to be the permanent General Manager. The Zduriencik era was not successful, and I would like to move on from the dysfunction.

Next: Dan O'Dowd

Apr 21, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzk (2) on third base in the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Dan O’Dowd

If the Seattle Mariners are looking for experience, Dan O’Dowd is the right man for them. O’Dowd has been in baseball front offices for the last 30 years, and served as the Colorado Rockies GM for 15 seasons. Since being fired in Colorado last fall, O’Dowd has worked as a studio analyst for MLB Network. Recent reports indicate that the M’s have had discussions with O’Dowd regarding their GM vacancy.

O’Dowd led the Rockies to four winning seasons and two postseason appearances during his tenure as GM. Colorado reached the World Series in 2007 after making an improbable postseason run, winning 21 of their final 22 games to reach the playoffs. He finished with a career record of 1201-1392, good for a .463 winning percentage.

O’Dowd is credited with developing players like Matt Holliday, Troy Tulowitzki, Jeff Francis and Ubaldo Jimenez. However, he is also responsible for signing Mike Hampton and Denny Neagle to lucrative free agent deals. Both signings proved to be disastrous for the organization. O’Dowd also did a poor job handling his managers.

Hiring Dan O’Dowd would be an underwhelming move for Seattle. He was not overly successful in Colorado, and he is not likely excite the Mariners’ fan base. O’Dowd has plenty of experience, but I would rather see the M’s be a bit more creative in selecting a new GM.

Next: Jerry Dipoto

Feb 18, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto speaks to the media during MLB media day at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Jerry Dipoto

Jerry Dipoto resigned from his post as General Manager of the Los Angeles Angels on July 1 after his already strained relationship with Mike Scioscia disintegrated. Dipoto may not have departed on good terms, but he has a pretty strong reputation throughout the league as a quality General Manager. He has been hired by the Boston Red Sox as a special advisor, but the Mariners are reportedly interested in interviewing Dipoto.

It was a turbulent three and a half years for Dipoto in Anaheim. He made enemies with one of the most powerful skippers in baseball, and was responsible for free agent busts like Josh Hamilton and C.J. Wilson. The jury is still out on whether the Albert Pujols signing was a success. The Angels farm system is amongst the worst in baseball, and they have done a poor job developing premier prospects.

All told, the Halos tallied a pair of winning seasons under Dipoto’s watch. Despite his numerous free agency blunders, Dipoto built the club that posted a league best, 98 wins in 2014. The 47-year-old is well versed in new age baseball stats, and is known for placing a high value on sabermetrics.

I actually do not think hiring Jerry Dipoto is an awful idea. However, if retaining Lloyd McClendon as manger is a priority for the M’s, they should not appoint Dipoto as their next GM. I think it goes without saying after the way things shook down in Anaheim that Jerry is going to want to hire his own man to lead the ball club on the field.

Next: Billy Eppler

Billy Eppler

George A. King III of the New York Post is reporting that Billy Eppler interviewed for the Mariners GM job this week in Chicago. Eppler started as a scout for the Colorado Rockies in 2000 before being hired for the same position with the New York Yankees in 2004. Brian Cashman appointed Eppler as the Yanks’ Director of Professional Scouting in 2005, and promoted him to assistant GM following the 2011 season.

Eppler has long been on MLB teams’ radar as a potential General Manager, and he figures to be hired by someone this offseason. The University of Connecticut grad is considered saber-savvy. Eppler was a finalist for the Los Angeles Angels GM vacancy in 2011, and he was almost hired in San Diego. Arizona wanted to interview Eppler in 2014, but he declined their request.

If the Mariners are open to hiring a rookie GM, they could do a lot worse than Billy Eppler. He is young, and has done a great job in New York. Eppler and Brian Cashman have cobbling together a playoff caliber season with a roster not many expected to be over .500.

Next: Dana Brown

Sep 15, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg (37) throws the ball during the sixth inning against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park. The Nationals won 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Dana Brown

Buster Only of ESPN reports that Dana Brown interviewed to be the next GM in Seattle this past Wednesday. The Seton Hall alum is currently working as a special assistant to Alex Anthopolous in Toronto, but he has over 20 years of experience. Originally hired as a scout by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1993, Brown worked his way up to being the scouting director for Omar Minaya in Montreal.

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