Mariners Bringing Back GM Bavasi, Skipper McLaren

McLaren became the 12th manager in team history in early July after Mike Hargrove shocked all of baseball by suddenly resigning during an eight-game winning streak.

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SEATTLE - Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi and manager John McLaren will be back for the 2008 season, Mariners chief executive Howard Lincoln told reporters Thursday.

While Seattle did miss the playoffs for a sixth consecutive season despite a payroll that was among the top six in baseball, the team competed in the American League West all year and was 20 games over .500 in late August.

The Mariners entered Thursday secure in second place in the AL West.

"Did we get everything we expected for $113 million? No," Mariners chief executive Howard Lincoln said Thursday. "But we did get a lot. We got a winning season."

McLaren became the 12th manager in team history in early July after Mike Hargrove shocked all of baseball by suddenly resigning during an eight-game winning streak. McLaren and the club still have to formalize a contract for 2008.

"It just brings continuity back," reliever George Sherrill said. "Since Bavasi's been here, the record's gotten better. It's good to have him back. Having Mac back is the same thing. He knows everybody in here and how everybody clicks. It's just a matter of bringing in the right pieces and doing something special next year."

Bavasi, a former Angels general manager, was hired as the GM in 2003, and he presided over three consecutive last-place finishes before this season.

Source: MLB.com

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