Dipoto also received permission from team ownership to make his own managerial choice and did the expected, letting McCledon go with a year remaining on his contract.
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The Seattle Times reported Friday that Dipoto, hired last month after previously serving in the same capacity with the Los Angeles Angels, was given authority to determine McClendon’s fate. McClendon is the first Seattle manager to depart with a winning record since Lou Piniella – who went 840-711 in 10 seasons there – departed in a trade to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2003.
McClendon went 163-161 in Seattle and past year led the team to its first winning record since 2009, but the Mariners haven’t lived up to expectations since their monster deal for Robinson Cano before last season.
Differing philosophies? That’s hardly a surprise. Owner Arte Moreno eventually sided with Scioscia, leading to Dipoto’s firing. “If he’s not, then I shouldn’t be his manager”. Dipoto took the time to get to know McClendon over the past week, but it never seemed likely McClendon would be retained.
“Dipoto, according to sources, has been carefully considering this move”, Heyman adds.
Following the hiring of Jerry Dipoto, Mariners president Kevin Mather released a statement talking about the new general manager.
Dipoto clashed with the on-field coaching staff with the Angels before he resigned during the 2015 season. With Dipoto in tow, the hope is that there will be a lot more stability in the franchise moving forward.
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Bogar, 48, is a former big-league infielder, who served as interim manager of the Texas Rangers for the final 22 games in 2014. Quite a few players were traded away in the second half of the season and more moves are expected in the offseason.
