Mariners’ rebuilding to begin with a new GM
Phone bill likely to grow as search begins
SEATTLE – The most uncertain off-season in Seattle Mariners history started Monday with phone calls.
President Chuck Armstrong began contacting other teams requesting permission to speak with executives who remain on his list of candidates to be the Mariners’ next general manager.
It’s one of the first steps in what will lead to either the turnaround of a last-place team or a continuation of the Mariners’ frustrating and embarrassing seasons since 2004.
“This is an extremely important decision for us,” Mariners CEO Howard Lincoln said. “We’ve got to get it right.”
The new general manager not only must hire a manager and coaching staff, he or she will establish a plan to make the Mariners contenders again.
After former GM Bill Bavasi spent freely on free agents whose impact was minimal and the result became a 101-loss season, the Mariners say they are looking for fresh thinking in their new hire.
Lincoln and Armstrong will conduct the interviews, beginning next week, and hope to have a new GM in place by the end of October.
“We have our own thoughts, but I think it’s good to go outside and get some fresh views,” Armstrong said. “Our perception of things from inside may not be the same as it is from outside. We’re looking for some fresh blood and a different, new perspective and some good leadership.”
That’s not a high endorsement of Lee Pelekoudas, the Mariners’ longtime assistant GM who took over after Bavasi was fired in June. Pelekoudas, in his 29th year with the team, is the only known candidate.
Many other names have come up in discussions about whom the Mariners may pursue.
Among those believed to be on Armstrong’s list is Kim Ng, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ highly regarded assistant GM who would become the major leagues’ first female general manager if the Mariners hire her. Ng, 39, has been with the Dodgers since 2001 and interviewed for their GM job in 2005 before they hired Ned Colletti.
“We’re color blind, gender blind,” Armstrong said. “We just want the best person who will be the best fit for the Mariners as we move forward.”
Other assistant GMs considered among the best young talent in baseball are Tony LaCava of the Toronto Blue Jays, David Forst of the Oakland A’s and Jerry DiPoto of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
There’s also been speculation that Doug Melvin of the Milwaukee Brewers and Kevin Towers of the San Diego Padres would be a good fit.
Pat Gillick, the former Mariners GM who has led the Philadelphia Phillies back into the playoffs, is not considered a candidate, although Armstrong said his old-school approach to building a team has been effective in an age of heavy reliance on statistical analysis. The Mariners teams built by Gillick in 2000 and 2001 were their last to reach the postseason.
Whoever gets the job will have a full plate.
Will they tear down the current roster and rebuild with prospects, or decide this team is close enough that a couple of additions will do it?
“We are trying to get this thing turned around as quickly as possible, but it’s premature to talk about what’s going to happen … ,” Lincoln said. “The most important thing is to get this general manager in place.”