Mariners to offer GM job to Jerry DiPoto

Reports from ESPN’s Jim Bowden broke early Monday morning that the team will hire former Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto to fill the position that was vacated with the firing of Jack Zduriencik in August.

Dipoto, who was the GM for the Angels since October of 2011, resigned July 1st after losing a power struggle with L.A. manager Mike Sciosca. Dipoto, who is now a consultant with the Red Sox, met with the Mariners on Friday.

Byrnes, the current vice president of baseball operations with the Dodgers, has served as the GM for both the Diamondbacks and Padres in the past and could force Eppler out of the running in Anaheim.

Also of note with Seattle’s front office, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported Monday that Mariners farm director Chris Gwynn interviewed for the Angels’ GM opening on Sunday.

The Mariners have liked Dipoto for a long time. Jeff Kingston has had the GM job for the Mariners on an interim basis since JackZduriencik was relieved of his duties on August 29.

In 2014, the Angels won 98 games and the American League West, but were swept by the Kansas City Royals, the World Series runner-up, in the ALDS. When owner Arte Moreno appeared to take Scioscia’s side in the disagreement, Dipoto submitted his resignation.

On the day he announced that Zduriencik had been fired, Mather said he hoped to have the new GM in place by the end of the season or shortly after.