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Report: Seattle Mariners to hire Jerry DiPoto as new general manager

By Ian O'Brien

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
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 /
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The Seattle Mariners will reportedly hire Jerry DiPoto as their new GM

The Seattle Mariners fell way short of expectations this season, as they have failed to reach the playoffs for the 14th consecutive season despite being picked by many pundits to win the World Series.

The Mariners fired general manager Jack Zduriencik midseason after seven seasons of failure to make the playoffs, but ESPN reports now that Jerry DiPoto will be his replacement.

DiPoto resigned from his general manager post with the Los Angeles Angels in the middle of the 2015 season, as his feud with manager Mike Scioscia came to a head. The Angels had hired DiPoto after the 2011 season, and he made an instant splash by signing first baseman Albert Pujols and starting pitcher C.J. Wilson.

His Angels tenure was marred by great moves and costly decisions however.

DiPoto signed outfielder Josh Hamilton to a $125 million contract while trading away shortstop Jean Segura for starting pitcher Zack Greinke, who was nothing more than a rental as he left for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

On the positive side, DiPoto was able to successfully trade for All-Star closer Huston Street and starting pitcher Hector Santiago, who made his first All-Star Game in 2015.

DiPoto will be inheriting a perpetual mess in Seattle though, as Zduriencik made a series of costly mistakes. He most notably whiffed on second baseman Robinson Cano, who has failed to live up to his 10-year, $240 million contract since leaving the New York Yankees.

Zduriencik also made the decision to sign former Angels infielder Chone Figgins to a four-year, $36 million contract before he turned out to be a signing bust.

The Mariners now hold the longest playoff drought in baseball. The Toronto Blue Jays will be returning to the postseason for the first time since their 1993 World Series run.

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