Mariners, manager Scott Servais agree to contract extension
Jul 20, 2018, 10:18 AM | Updated: 1:39 pm
(AP)
The Mariners have announced that manager Scott Servais has agreed to a multi-year contract extension. Per team rules, terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Dipoto ‘not closing door’ on M’s adding position player before deadline
The announcement comes three weeks after the team extended general manager Jerry Dipoto. At the time, Dipoto indicated that an extension for his manager would follow, saying multiple times he could not imagine the two not working together.
“I don’t envision a time when I am doing my job without him doing his job,” Dipoto said of Servais.
While Servais brought 11 years of big league experience and 10 years working in player development to the job, Servais had never managed a professional baseball team at any level before becoming the Mariners manager. Considered to be a bit of surprise pick at the time to manage the team, the lack of field experience was overcome by the vision he and Dipoto shared, which was formulated in their years together both on the field as players and working together in the Angels organization.
“Scott has created a culture here in Seattle that allows players to be successful,” Dipoto said Friday in a press release. “They are encouraged to be themselves, which has resulted in a loose environment, while still maintaining the focus on team above self. His leadership has also been evident through the ongoing growth and impact of one of the best coaching staffs in Major League Baseball.
“He has been the right leader at the right time for the right team and I look forward to many more years together.”
In 2 1/2 seasons under Servais, the Mariners have gone 222-199, making him the fourth-winningest manager in Mariners history. Next season, Servais will become just the third manager in team history to start a fourth year with the club and the first since Lou Piniella.
The Mariners will hold a news conference with Servais and Dipoto at 12:30 p.m. at Safeco Field, which will air live on 710 ESPN Seattle.
Dipoto’s extension ensures continuity the M’s have been missing