SEATTLE — The Seattle Mariners announced Wednesday they have hired Jack Zduriencik, the Milwaukee Brewers’ highly regarded scouting director, as their new general manager.
It will be the 57-year-old Zduriencik’s first job as a GM after 25 years in baseball with four organizations. In 2007, Zduriencik became the first non-GM to be named executive of the year by Baseball America.
Zduriencik (pronounced Zur-EN’-sik) was chosen over three other finalists who are assistant GMs with their clubs — Jerry DiPoto of the Diamondbacks, Tony LaCava of the Blue Jays and Kim Ng of the Dodgers.
“We have spent the past several months looking at a very complete list of potential candidates to become our new general manager,” Mariners president Chuck Armstrong said. “The individuals we interviewed for the position were excellent. We believe Jack is the best person to provide a new approach and to lead our baseball operations. He has a proven track record of recognizing talent, both on the field and in the front office.”
In choosing Zduriencik, the Mariners decided his experience, particularly from a talent evaluation aspect, will help achieve their goal of building for the longterm.
Under former GM Bill Bavasi, they tried a more quick-fix approach by signing free agents, and it didn’t work. Bavasi, GM since 2004, was fired in June.
“Jack is extremely well-respected throughout baseball,” Mariners CEO Howard Lincoln said. “His track record in recognizing and developing young talent in Milwaukee was instrumental in the Brewers’ steady improvement over the past several seasons. I am very excited about the passion and leadership he will bring to our organization.”
The Mariners announced the hiring in a news release after getting permission from Major League Baseball, which prohibits teams from making major announcements that would take attention away from the World Series. The Series begins Wednesday.
Zduriencik will be introduced to the media at a news conference Friday morning in Seattle.
“I am very excited by this opportunity,” Zduriencik said in a news release from the Mariners. “Seattle is an outstanding organization with great fans, a great ballpark and an ownership group committed to the goal of bringing a World Series to the Northwest. I believe that working together, we can make the Mariners a model franchise. I am looking forward to getting to work immediately, and developing a plan to reach our goal.”
In hiring Zduriencik, the Mariners decided on a more old-school approach with their GM. He is highly regarded as a talent evaluator, having helped the Brewers draft such current stars as Prince Fielder, Rickie Weeks, Ryan Braun and J.J. Hardy.
Zduriencik’s job won’t be easy.
The Mariners are coming off a 61-101 season, the fourth-worst record in the franchise’s 32-year history.
Zduriencik must determine whether the Mariners need a few roster tweaks to become competitive again or if a major rebuilding is the answer.
Armstrong said in September that it’s unlikely the Mariners will pursue free agents as they did under Bavasi, who spent millions signing such players as Scott Spiezio, Richie Sexson, Jeff Weaver and Carlos Silva.
One of Zduriencik’s first tasks is to hire a new manager.
Jim Riggleman, who managed the Mariners to a 36-54 record after John McLaren was fired in June, isn’t expected to return.
Zduriencik coached football and baseball at Clairton High School in Pittsburgh from 1977-80 and at Tarpon Springs High School in Florida from 1980-82. He also coached football and baseball at Austin Peay State University from 1975-77.
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