The Seattle Mariners finished this season 76-86, 12 games back of the Texas Rangers in the American League West. They were also 10 games behind Houston for the last Wild Card spot. This past weekend they decided to fire manager Lloyd McClendon after two seasons.
The Mariners hired Lloyd McClendon November 11, 2013. Before being hired as the Mariners manager, McClendon was the Detroit Tigers hitting coach. His first year, 2014, Seattle ended with a 87-75 record, a full 10 games behind the Los Angeles Angels in the American League West, but only one game back of the Oakland Athletics for the second Wild Card spot
The Mariners had high expectations this season. They hoped they had the team to make a run at the playoffs. The Mariners thought last offseason the way to improve was to add hitters into the lineup. Seattle signed right fielder Nelson Cruz and left fielder Rickie Weeks.
Rickie Weeks agreed to a one-year $2 million contract with the Mariners. He was a disappointment, lasting only 37 games. In those games he hit .167 with 9 RBI’s and 2 home runs. On June 21st, Seattle decided to release Weeks. They still had to honor his contract and pay him the remaining $1.1 million he was owed. Nelson Cruz had decent numbers for the Mariners. He hit .302 with 44 home runs, and 93 RBI’s.
The Mariners didn’t live up to the high expectations. They couldn’t hit or pitch this season. As a team they hit .249 which was 23rd in Major League Baseball. The Mariners had a team ERA of 4.16. Seattle decided it was time to go a different direction.
According to ESPN General Manager Jerry Dipoto said, “Everything we do is as a group. This isn’t an indictment of Lloyd. This is a representation of what we would like to build going forward. That is what we’ll do.”
This is not the right decision for the Seattle Mariners. McClendon only had two years on the job. It wasn’t a terrible season. Sure they ended 10 games back of a playoff spot. His overall record with Seattle was 163-161. The Mariners should have allowed McClendon manage one more year to possibly turn this team around. McClendon will hopefully have another chance to be a manager in Major League Baseball.
What do you think of Seattle’s decision to fire Lloyd McClendon?
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