SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Mariners rewarded general manager Jack Zduriencik with a multi-year contract extension on Tuesday with the club in playoff contention late in the season.
The Mariners did not release details of Zduriencik’s new deal. Zduriencik has served as Seattle’s general manager since 2008 and may finally be on the verge of getting the Mariners back into the postseason for the first time since 2001. Seattle has already matched its win total from all of 2013, thanks in part to a handful of moves made by Zduriencik before the season and at the trade deadline.
“Since Jack took over after the 2008 season, we have been building toward our ultimate goal, which is to win the World Series,” Mariners President Kevin Mather said in a statement. “We believe, with the efforts of Jack and his staff, we are now well-positioned as an organization to be a contender for many years to come.”
Zduriencik’s tenure with Seattle has been a mix of hits and misses, but the past two offseasons have proven fruitful in getting ace Felix Hernandez signed to a long-term contract, hiring Lloyd McClendon as manager and this past December signing Robinson Cano to a $240 million, 10-year contract.
Combined with the additions of Austin Jackson, Kendrys Morales and Chris Denorfia at the trade deadline and a pitching staff that is the best in baseball, the Mariners entered play on Tuesday night leading the race in the American League for the second wild card.
Seattle’s also been helped by the continued development of third baseman Kyle Seager, a Zduriencik draft pick who earned his first All-Star selection this season. And Dustin Ackley, a former No. 2 overall pick by Zduriencik, has started to become the hitter in the second half of this season that the Mariners expected.
Zduriencik, 63, came to Seattle after serving as an assistant GM with the Milwaukee Brewers. He also spent time with the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers and Pittsburgh.
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