Mariners name Jerry Dipoto general manager

The Seattle Mariners have named Jerry Dipoto general manager, the team announced on Monday. 

Dipoto will replace Jack Zduriencik, who was dismissed from the team on August 28. 

The 47-year-old Dipoto resigned from the GM position with the Los Angeles Angels on July 1, following a long-term disagreement that included years of tension with manager Mike Scioscia over the usage of analytics.

In August, Dipoto was hired by the Red Sox to serve in an advisory role. The team, however, noted that if Dipoto was given the opportunity to be a GM, he would pursue that instead of continuing to work with Boston. 

Many names were thrown around as possible options for the Mariners' opening when the GM search began a month ago to this day. Yankees assistant GM Billy Eppler and Dipoto were the rumored two finalists for the job last Friday.

The Mariners ownership ultimately wanted a GM with experience, and Dipoto fits that bill. 

"Jerry impressed us at each step of the process,” said president Kevin Mather in a statement. “He has a very unique skill set, having been a successful player in the Majors, then moving into front offices with steadily increasing responsibilities. Jerry has scouted, spent time in player development and has a track record as a very successful General Manager. During our conversations over the past few weeks, it became clear to me that he has a very solid understanding of our team and organization, both where we are and where we want to be. And he has a strategy to get us there. Few candidates bring the combination of playing the game, scouting, a solid understanding of statistical metrics and a plan for player development. I am looking forward to having Jerry lead our baseball operations for a long time.”

Dipoto played in the Major Leagues for parts of eight seasons spanning from 1993 to 2000, pitching to a career 27-24 record with a 4.05 ERA in 495 1/3 innings with the Indians, Mets, and Rockies. Dipoto has worked in the front office since becoming a scout with the Red Sox in 2003. He became the Angels' GM in 2011. 

​--Devan Fink

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