Mariners Fire Bavasi; Is McLaren Next to Go?

Mariners CEO Howard Lincoln announced that GM Bill Bavasi has been officially relieved of duties, naming Vice President/Associate GM Lee Pelekoudas as the team's interim GM. From the team's press release:

"Change is in order." Lincoln said. "We have determined new leadership is needed in the GM position. With a new leader will come a new plan and a new approach. A search will begin immediately for a permanent GM, and Lee will be a candidate for the position."

Bavasi served as the Mariners' general manager since 2003, during which time the team has posted two winning seasons while going through three managers. He's responsible for the monster contracts given to Richie Sexson, Adrian Beltre, and Carlos Silva, not to mention trading Carlos Guillen for Ramon Santiao, one of the most lopsided trades in recent memory. Adding insult to injury, he's also the last GM to sign Jeff Weaver to a big league contract.

Although there's been no announcement regarding John McLaren, it's not hard to assume that Lincoln's call for "a new plan and a new approach" will entail a change in the dugout, as well. As U.S.S. Mariner says, "McLaren's being left in charge in order to not make the new GM feel obligated to keep around an interim GM in case the team starts winning immediately after Mac gets fired."

So who's the early favorite to replace Bavasi? Pelekoudas and his 29 years of experience with the organization shouldn't be discounted, but U.S.S. Mariner makes a passionate plea for Chris Antonetti, who's currently working alongside Mark Shapiro in Cleveland. If you remember, Antonetti was apparently offered the Cardinals job this winter but passed when contract negotiations reached a stalemate.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

6-16-2008 @ 4:58PM

Joe said...

it's about time the Mariners got rid of "bonehead" Bavasi,,, all his bonehead trades have not helped the Mariners one iota,, ,,good ridance!!!!

6-16-2008 @ 5:09PM

Frank said...

Good....now Howard Lincoln just needs to fire himself and Chuck Armstrong and things will get a lot better for the Mariners!

6-16-2008 @ 5:14PM

Gritty said...

We SOOO called this a day two days ago.

http://grittyandclutch.blogspot.com/2008/06/bill-bavasi-loses-millions-of-mariners.html

6-16-2008 @ 5:46PM

catman said...

Bavasi getting Fired has been long overdue. I spite of the statements about how widely respected in baseball, that's bull. He's asucker every other team saw coming and sold him crummy pl;ayers for all of the best players or prospects in return. Since he became the GM the Mariners have absolutely sucked. He is the absolute Worst GM in Baseball, unless you are among the other Teams that got great players in return for Garbage.
This season is long over for the Mariners, but at least this is One step in the right direction. Now clean out the rest of the front office. The Manager can only manage with what the GM gives him. With Bavasi that was a recipe for disaster.

6-16-2008 @ 8:24PM

Gettin' Real said...

If any business person had a string of losing deals like Bavasi, he would have been fired long ago. Lincoln should be fired for tolerating Bavasi so long. Anyone could have run Nintendo when Lincoln did, but he has proven a stiff at running the Mariners. Armstrong is fine, but Lincoln has to go. Where's John Ellis now that we need him the most?