CHANGE MY LOCATION
Bob Sherwin
Seattle Sports Examiner
Examiner Feeds
These websites were picked by the Seattle Sports Examiner as useful resources.Seattle Examiners
Seattle Green Living Examiner
Most Recent Post
Getting organized for the holidays equals discount on gift certificates for organizing
Seattle Basketball Examiner
Most Recent Post
Gonzaga dominates Tennessee, moves up to no. 5 in Coaches Poll
Showing entries for Category: Lee-Pelekoudas
Mariners' next GM already here: Lee Pelekoudas
Add a Comment
An exhaustive search, we presume, is under way for the new general manager of the Seattle Mariners. He or she has a major reconstruction project ahead. Dozens of significant decisions need to be made between now and spring training. But I'd like to suggest someone who could be overlooked in this search. In fact, he already has the job. Hint: His first name is Interim.That would be my choice - Interim GM Lee Pelekoudas.
I go back with Pelekoudas to the mid-80s when he was the team's traveling secretary. At that time he also doubled as a road PR guy, doing the daily team notes. I wouldn't say he's a good friend. He's actually a bit aloof and a tough guy to get to know. He also has a bit of a dismissive attitude toward the media.
So I'm not in his corner because he' s in mine or ours, as journalists. In fact, he might be tougher for us to deal with than departed Bill Bavasi, not because he might lie to us but he's just so tight-lipped. Why I think he deserves the job is because, after 29 years with the organization, his internship for the position should be over. He's ready to step up.
Pelekoudas knows all the talent in the organization. He has an acute understanding of the team's needs. He should have a decent relationship with most of the GM around the league. Having grown up in the game - his father Chris was a National League umpire for 16 years - and played the game for Arizona State, he knows how to recognize talent.
He also knows how the game is played. He has been the brains behind some of the innovative team moves over the years. The player shuffle that brought Bob Wolcott from the minors to start Game 1 of the 1995 ALCS against Cleveland was his idea. It's my lasting contention that if Pelekoudas was in charge - instead of Woody Woodward - at the trading deadline in 1997, we would not have parted with BOTH Derek Lowe and Jason Varitek for depleted reliever Heathcliff Slocumb. He would have driven a better deal, or no deal at all.
What he has, much like Pat Gillick has, is a cold-blooded nature. That's an important quality in a GM. Just like buying a stock, you can fall in love with your players. Sometimes you have to deal them. You have to treat them like commodities. Use them to make your team better. If he can improve the team by trading a fan favorite, he won't hesitate.
He had a good relationship with John McLaren. But three days into his interim status, he canned him. This week he smartly recommended the release of Richie Sexson, who was bringing down the clubhouse morale - as well as the fans' morale - on a daily basis.
Over the next 19 days, Pelekoudas has the opportunity that he has always wanted. He can show his bosses that deserves the permanent GM job by forging deals. Can he trade Erik Bedard for something approaching what the club gave away to get him? Will he be able to get anything for Jose Vidro or Jamie Burke? Might he deal Adrian Beltre, Raul Ibanez? Will he resist dealing Brandon Morrow, Mark Lowe or a coveted minor leaguer?
It just makes sense that the guy who will shape this team for 2009 and beyond should be in that position right now. Pelekoudas is here. He's smart. He's bold. He knows what's needed. And he's cold-blooded.
Topics: Lee Pelekoudas , Mariners GM
Subscribe
Feed
Comments
More from Seattle Sports Examiner
Should the Mariners just release Sexson?
Topics: Richie Sexson , Lee Pelekoudas
