The Seattle Mariners have continued to clean house after hiring Jerry Dipoto as their new GM, as Lloyd McClendon has been fired as manager for the team after his second season. The Mariners were a major disappointment this year and reports have Tim Bogar and Bud Black as potential options to take over and this comes as Hisashi Iwakuma is a top free agent priority for the M's.
The Mariners were one of the biggest disappointments in baseball this season, as they were expected to compete for the playoffs but never were in contention all season. According to the Seattle Times, Ryan Divish reports that the Mariners are firing McClendon and it comes after the team brought in Dipoto to take over for general manager Jack Zduriencik after seven seasons. McClendon had a chance to stay, but Dipoto was given power to make the decision on the manager and now he is out after two seasons.
McClendon was a manager of the year candidate in 2014 when the Mariners finished one game out of the playoffs and that put a ton of optimism on the team coming into 2015. The Mariners were a savvy pick to win the AL West and make the World Series, but things never came together and the team finished under .500 at 76-86, which was a decrease from 87 wins in 2014. McClendon leaves with an overall winning record for the Mariners and according to Divish, names like Tim Bogar and Bud Black are likely candidates to take over.
Bogar previously worked with Dipoto with the Los Angeles Angels and Divish reports that Bogar is the "favorite" for the job. Bogar previously was the bench coach for the Rangers and served as interim manager for the team before coming to the Angels. Black is also considered an option and he has connections to the area, as he previously went to high school in Longview. Black was previously the manager for the Padres.
Dipoto spoke with Divish after the season about his plans heading into the offseason and he mentioned trades, developing the farm system and working on an extension with Iwakuma as priorities. The team has been interested in keeping Iwakuma and that is one reason why the franchise opted not to trade him at the trading deadline this season. Iwakuma dealt with injuries last season and he is reportedly looking for around $10 million per season on a three year deal.
The Mariners have a solid core of players with Robinson Cano, Felix Hernandez, Kyle Seager and Nelson Cruz and Dipoto said that he expects the team to contend in 2016. The farm system needs an influx of talent and Dipoto said that he would be willing to make trades to help make that happen. The Mariners may not go big in free agency this offseason, but lower level players at catcher, pitcher and in the outfield could be options, including someone like Dexter Fowler.
Check here for more on the Mariners, McClendon, manager candidates and the offseason.
