Eric Wedge has told the Mariners he will not be their manager in 2014, according to a team press release. Wedge's contract expires after the season ends. Wedge will manage the Mariners' last series of 2013.
"I accept Eric’s decision not to return and thank him for his hard work here the past three years. I want to wish him and his family all the best in the future," said Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik.
Earlier this week, Wedge expressed frustration about uncertainty surrounding his future with the team, and said he would like to remain the team's manager. Now it appears he's changed his mind. The Mariners have gone 212-271 in Wedge's three seasons at the helm, losing 87 or more games each year.
Wedge says that the Mariners offered him a one-year extension last season that would have carried him through 2014, Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times tweets. Wedge believed that offer was not a strong enough show of faith by the Mariners, and he rejected it. Zduriencik says that he would have asked Wedge to manage the team in 2014, MLB.com's Greg Johns reports (Twitter link).
There have been rumblings about Zduriencik's future with the team as well, but now he'll be in the position of hiring a new manager. That could present an awkward situation, since credible managerial candidates might be reluctant to take the job if they fear that Zduriencik might be replaced within a year anyway. Zduriencik will reportedly remain with the team in 2014.
