Seattle fires GM...

[TyCobb]

I just saw it on the bottom line.

[Mark Carver]

Mariners, mired with 24-45 record, fire GM Bavasi

The Seattle Mariners have fired general manager Bill Bavasi, as the team lags along with the worst record in baseball after having been expected to contend for the playoffs.

Bavasi was fired Monday morning. Vice president/associate general manager Lee Pelekoudas will take over in his place.

Mariners' CEO Howard Lincoln said in a release that new leadership was needed in the GM position. Lincoln says a search will begin immediately for a permanent GM, and Pelekoudas will be a candidate.

Bavasi was in his fifth season as Seattle's GM, only once turning out a club that finished with a winning record. That was last season when Seattle won 88 games.

Armed with a $117 million payroll, Bavasi put together what many believed was a playoff contender for 2008. But the Mariners have underachieved from the start and entered Monday night with a 24-45 record.

[NewMarketSean]

Wow, that happened fast. I thought he'd at least get until the end of the season.

[Oil Slick]

So much for the Bavasi era in Seattle.......

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3446853

[Boy Howdy]

Tough 2008 for baseball's Bavasi family.

[ChaosLex]

Cue bummer brooding...

[TGO]

This probably would have happened last year if they hadn't overachieved. It's been a long time coming.

And then they wouldn't have traded for EB.

[orioles119]

<img src="http://www.gearfuse.com/wp-content/uploads/andrew/5_apr07/owned_BSOD_1.png">

This is the Seattle Mariners offices about now...

[Old#5fan]

Nah, it had nothing to do with Bedard. It was all due to their hiring of Sam Perlozzo as a coach. He brings bad luck to teams (carries it with him).:laughlol:

[Goober Noodles]

MacPwnt.

I feel bad for Sammy.

[JTrea81]

McLaren should be next on the chopping block...

[paradoxmoose]

Im rarely happy to see someone get fired, and I have no reason to be in this case. His team fell apart due to key injuries and not playing up to their potential, before the season they were widely considered one of the top teams in the west and a possible division champ. The As surprising season serves as a contrast that makes the Ms look even more dismal.

Would be funny to see Erik end up with the cubbies after all is said and done, especially since a few months ago it was said that the north side didnt have enough ammo to haul him in.

[itsernst]

this should be in the mlb forum...fyi

[JTrea81]

This probably would have happened last year if they hadn't overachieved. It's been a long time coming.

And then they wouldn't have traded for EB.

I doubt it. Bavasi had built up their farm system quite well since Gillick left. It was this offseason that he signed Silva and traded for Bedard. The contract extension to Ichiro was also unwise granted that was when he was doing well. All his offseason moves backfired or didn't produce what was intended. Had Seattle traded instead of extended Ichiro and kept Jones, Tillman and Sherrill, they probably could have competed in 2009 or 2010.

[clapdiddy]

I always thought that Seattle played way over their heads last season and that trading for Bedard was not a good move on their part.

I feel bad for Bavasi, but I think he took a chance at a time when he shouldn't have.