Mariners Exec VP & GM of Baseball Operations Jack Zduriencik yesterday "fired back" at two "disgruntled former employees over their allegations of meddling and incompetence" among the club's top execs, according to Bob Dutton of the Tacoma NEWS TRIBUNE. Zduriencik made a statement that "categorically denied allegations" that he, Chair & CEO Howard Lincoln and President & COO Chuck Armstrong "engaged in meddling." Zduriencik: "I have worked for several Major League organizations. Our upper management has suggestions and asks questions, just like CEOs and presidents in other organizations do, all to be helpful and contribute to the goal of winning" (Tacoma NEWS TRIBUNE, 12/10). In Seattle, Ryan Divish notes Zduriencik made the comments in a statement released yesterday at the MLB winter meetings "in response to questions about a Seattle Times story on Sunday that described the team's front office as dysfunctional." But the 474-word statement "was far from an angry response." Zduriencik: "When there are areas that need improvement, it's my job to ask questions, suggest ideas and give direction to the field staff. When our upper management has questions or suggestions, it's my job to respond to them. I don’t believe meddling is a fair portrayal" (SEATTLE TIMES, 12/10).
JURY OF HIS PEERS: USA TODAY's Bob Nightengale writes MLB owners, GMs and evaluators "are blasting away" at the Mariners' 10-year, $240M deal with free agent 2B Robinson Cano, believing the contract "was reckless and irresponsible, will cripple the franchise and damage the industry." Zduriencik "pulls off the biggest free agent signing" in Mariners history and "all he hears is condemnation." Zduriencik said, "People can say what they want, but this is an exciting time in Seattle. Anytime you can make your club better, especially if you can upgrade with a star, helps everybody. A star coming to our market is a great thing. ... There could be another free agent out there who wants to come to our team now." D-Backs GM Kevin Towers said, "To me, this was one of those statement signings to your fan base and ballclub, that you're serious about competing. I'm sure players look at the Mariners in a much different way today that they did a week ago. It sends a message to your own players." Nightengale notes the Mariners "recognized they were going to have to overpay to get any marquee star to come to Seattle." The team's attendance has "dwindled from 3.5 million to 1.7 million since their last postseason run" in '01 (USA TODAY, 12/10).
