Former Angels GM Jerry Dipoto to take Mariners job

The Mariners have named former Angels GM Jerry Dipoto their new general manager, the team announced.

Dipoto is a mix of old and new school with his use of analytics and it will be interesting to see how that plays into his success in Seattle as the Angels never really experienced too much of that in his time in Anaheim.

Jim Bowden, of ESPN, reported that the Mariners are expected to offer the GM job to former Los Angeles Angels GM Jerry Dipoto.

He’s been working as a consultant for the Boston Red Sox since mid-August.

Dipoto and his wife, Tamie, have two daughters (Taylor and Jordan) and one son (Jonah). “He has a very unique skill set, having been a successful player in the majors (he was 27-24 pitching in eight seasons with the Indians, Mets and Rockies), then moving into front offices with steadily increasing responsibilities”.

Mather said, at the time, that the team hoped to have a new general manager by early October. Paxton has made 13 starts primarily because he spent about 3 1/2 months on the disabled list with a torn tendon on the middle finger of his throwing hand.

“Jerry impressed us at each step of the process“, said Mariners President Kevin Mather. He has worked in both the Red Sox and Diamondbacks front offices, including a stint as Arizona’s interim GM in the second half of 2010. Dipoto went 1-1 against the Mariners, recording his victory August. 29, 1997 at Coors Field by recording five outs, including four consecutive strikeouts looking (Jay Buhner, Dan Wilson, Andy Sheets, Rich Amaral). It was a tenure with Los Angeles that lasted from 2011-2015.

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.

Now Dipoto inherits a Seattle franchise that has gone 14 years without a playoff berth, the longest active streak in the majors. And he has a strategy to get us there.

Hernandez has thrown 201 2/3 innings this season, his lowest total since 2008, but with the Mariners eliminated from playoff contention and Hernandez unable to reach the 20-win mark, there’s not a compelling reason to send him back out to a mound.

The league should have an understanding of how satisfying Dipoto is to the Mariners organization after the offseason.