The Seattle Mariners were one of many MLB clubs to make a change at general manager this season. The team is progressing in their search to fill the position and rumors suggest they have narrowed down their choices to two candidates: Jerry Dipoto and Billy Eppler.
Interim general manager Jeff Kingston, who took over for the fired Jack Zduriencik, interviewed for the vacancy and is said to still have a shot at the job for 2016, but these two higher-profile front office executives might have the edge over the former assistant GM.
"Ex-Angels manager Jerry Dipoto and Yankees assistant GM Billy Eppler are believed to be the finalists for the GM job, with second interviews coming," writes Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.
Last week Heyman reported Dipoto appeared to be the favorite for the job, but at this point a lot of rumors are focusing on Eppler, who is emerging as a top candidate for the Los Angeles Angels and potentially the Philadelphia Phillies. It's also unknown what position Dipoto will hold or continue to hold as a member of the Boston Red Sox, considering they hired Mike Hazen as they new general manager yesterday.
"Eppler, who finished second to Jerry Dipoto three years ago, seems to remain the favorite for the GM job, though Eppler also has interviewed with the Mariners," Heyman adds.
"It is believed Mike Scioscia is on board with Eppler if that's the way they go."
And what does this all mean for manager Lloyd McClendon, who is in his second season with the club?
"There was some suggestion Lloyd McClendon was safe when GM Jack Zduriencik was let go, but that will likely depend on who is hired as GM," Heyman adds.
Seattle has recovered nicely, going 27-22 since the beginning of August, but it's unclear if that will be enough to save McClendon's job once the team decides on a new GM. The Mariners have been a giant disappointment in 2015, and while the blame cannot be largely placed on McClendon, considering he can't make a team of all-stars hit better, the 56-year-old simply may not be the preference of the next person in charge of the front office.
"Until somebody kicks me out the door, I'm going to operate like I'm going to be here,'' McClendon told Larry Stone of the Seattle Times earlier this month. "This is home, and this is where I want to be. I didn't choose to come here thinking I was going to be out of here in two years. This was a commitment on my part, and I'm sure the organization has made a commitment, and hopefully it works out."
The Mariners have a lot of questions to answer before 2016 and they'll be a big focus this coming offseason.
