Hello everyone.  I’ve been having some computer trouble the last few days, but here’s a couple updates on what’s going on in Mariner-land:

Larry LaRue reports that GM Jack Zduriencik has given official titles to some of the guys he brought in.  Tom McNamera has been named Director of Amature Scouting and Tony Blengino gets the title Special Assitant to the GM, Baseball Operations.  McNamera and Blengino came over from Milwaukee with Zduriencik.

Carmen Fusco– a new name– has been named Director of Pro Scouting.  He’s been with the Mets for a long time but was a college coach with Zduriencik.

Beyond those moves, the managerial search is said to contain seven names at this point, all of whom will be interviewed within the next week.  The Mariners are not saying that these are the sure-fire finalists, and are open to adding other names later on.

Brad Mills (BOS bench coach)
Joey Cora (CHW 3rd base coach)
Chip Hale (ARI 3rd base coach)
DeMarlo Hale (BOS 3rd base coach)
Jose Oquendo (STL 3rd base coach)
Randy Ready (SD minor league manager)
Don Wakamatsu (OAK bench coach)

Mini-profiles of each candidate can be found here.  I don’t have much opinion on this.  For a team that isn’t expected to do much, all I’m asking for is someone that won’t overwork our young starters, that can manage a bullpen properly, and that can put together a decent lineup while looking toward the future.

Without doing much research, I think I like Randy Ready and Brad Mills the best. 

I would expect more names to be thrown into the hat, including current/former MLB managers.