The Mariners will likely choose a new president from among their internal candidates, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports. A report yesterday indicated that the Mariners could consider Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa, but that may not be the case. The team will interview two internal candidates next week.
It's unclear which internal candidates the Mariners might consider, but Johns suggests that the possibilities could include executive vice president of business operations Bob Aylward, executive vice president of finance Kevin Mather, executive vice president of legal affairs Bart Waldman and vice president of marketing Kevin Martinez. Departing president Chuck Armstrong will finish working at the end of the month, and the Mariners plan to have a replacement ready by then.
Barry Wood
That was the only way we were going to get out of the S bucket.
John Evans
Looks like maybe they just AREN’T going to learn after all…
Stevil
Personally, I’m pullin’ for the Moose. He’s done an amazing job at keeping his mouth shut and simply smiling while reaching out to fans.
Jonathan Barlock
That sounds like the Mariners mentality were all used to. I hope this isnt the case!
Wayne
How do you not interview LaRussa? We need fresh ideas from a real baseball guy.
Jonathan Barlock
I read that there were a few rumors that La Russa was in Seattle.
pft2
Yeah, La Russa can bring in guys like Canseco and McGuire as hitting /training instructors.
westcoastwhitesox
Sorry to be a grump, but I’m not convinced these owners are trying to win with Cano. They needed to replace Ichiro as the token elite offensive player and they did; now back to business as usual.
Jonathan Barlock
Im not sold either! Not until the upper mgt. is flushed out. Who knows how long that will take. La Russa has the knowledge and the desire to win. Hiring him would be the salvation of the Mariners Im convinced of it.
fred c
omg … this is so “Mariner”
Jonathan Barlock
Please enlighten me
westcoastwhitesox
Did you type your post from a boat?
Jonathan Barlock
No
westcoastwhitesox
then I don’t understand fred c’s comment either.
Barry Wood
Your boat comment doesn’t make sence either.
DogleggedWalnut
A Mariner is someone on a boat….he was trying to make a funny <_<'
johnrhee
Also, bring in Sean “P. Diddy” Combs as an owner won’t be as bad to make Jay-Z, Ken Griffey, Jr., the team, and community :).
Yettyskill S.
Well to be fair, business as usual never included a rotation anchored by Felix & Iwakuma with the potential Walker, Paxton, Sanchez and Hulzten down the road.
thegrayrace
yeah, and while far from elite, Hart and Morrison are solid additions.
the Mariners have some tough competition with the Texas and Oakland (who somehow always manage to surprise), but they’re in a position that they could contend.
Mike Blowers
Unfortunately I have to agree with you. They now have two highly marketable players, one ace pitcher and one all-star second baseman. The M’a make money every year via marketing and TV deals. They are set now with those two in place for the long term.
jayson
Of course we are.
GD
There’s been too many questionable FO issues over the past decade to hire within. Just like the Cano signing, they need to bring in someone with the top notch connections that LaRussa has. La Russa would be Huge in bringing in on a PR related change along with a Cano signing, and hopefully a Tanaka signing!
pft2
How does this vacuum impact the Mariners decision on how much to offer Tanaka? Obviously, they signed Cano, and the next President would prefer that the decision on Tanaka be made before he comes on board as President.
Ichiro was a money make for the Mariners. Surely Seattle sees the revenue opportunities in signing Tanaka. Maybe they can get the city of Seattle to fit some of the bill. More Japanese tourists is good for business.
Lefebvre Believer
They’ve already got that big TV deal in place, so they don’t really need to focus too much on finances, marketing, and sales. They need another baseball mind to help turn their minor leaguers into Major Leaguers. Don’t like what I’m hearing here.
omavricko
All I’m gonna say is look at the mariners 116 win season and find me someone who thought we’d win that many games. Last time we had a stud 2nd baseman was during the 116 albeit that was boonies only good season lol
Eslva917
Maybe R.Cano can be president after he gets injured after the first year of the contract.
livestrong77nyyankz
Guy has been a stud and incredibly durable during his entire career.
Bob Thatcher
Hire a financial “guru” for the president’s job, n hire Tony La Russa as the GM.
Jonathan Barlock
Agreed, I wonder if La Russa would take it if offered? For now we are stuck with Jack Z . Sigh…
Barry Wood
The President job should be spilt into 2 jobs. One for the business side and one for the baseball side. La Russa for the side that has been lacking in the front office since Pat G. was here. Then hire your baseball finance executive president of stadium operations from within for the business side.
DogleggedWalnut
TLR has a law degree from FSU. I’m pretty sure he’s capable for the job.
DogleggedWalnut
The Mariners don’t need someone who is good at making money. Mariners already are good at that. They need someone with a baseball mind who knows how to run a baseball team and knows what is needed to win. This is not like we’re hiring TLR for CFO or another board position. Former players have been in president positions before. He has a law degree. He knows what he’s doing. Please Mariners, do something smart baseball-wise for once in this decade and hire TLR.
DogleggedWalnut
The Mariners don’t need someone who is good at making money. Mariners already are good at that. They need someone with a baseball mind who knows how to run a baseball team and knows what is needed to win. This is not like we’re hiring TLR for CFO or another board position. Former players have been in president positions before. He has a law degree. He knows what he’s doing. Please Mariners, do something smart baseball-wise for once in this decade and hire TLR.
johnrhee
Tony LaRussa or Joe Torre would make a great President of the team to build a winning franchise for years to come just like the Oakland Athletics, St. Louis Cardinals, Detroit Tigers, etc. Sean ” P. Diddy” Combs would make a great owner as he can generate lots of fans by selling out quite a few games including a live concert performance by the owner. He wanted to be an owner in the NFL but baseball will work, esp. if friends w/ Jay-Z and Ken Griffey, Jr.