With the conclusion of the World Series, the quest to find players who can transform the Mariners into a playoff caliber team is officially under way for new General Manager, Jerry Dipoto. That task won’t be an easy one as Dipoto’s offseason “to-do” list includes finding a first baseman, catcher, left fielder, center fielder, front end starting pitcher, bullpen arm(s), and a closer.

Stepping into such a hot-seat environment is never an ideal beginning.  And it’s not just finding any old players to fill those spots, but, rather, players that will immediately propel the Mariners into late October. Unlike the Jack Zduriencik era, there will be no five-year plan to hide behind for Dipoto. There won’t be extra time afforded to see if prospect A, B and/or C pan out. With an ownership group and fan base expecting immediate results, Dipoto’s worth and effectiveness (and fate) as the Mariners’ GM will be tested without delay.  

But here’s the good news. It can be done. And has been done before.  And, coincidently, with nearly the exact same challenges, and accomplished by a newly hired Mariners GM.

The 1999 season was one that saw the Mariners go a disappointing 78-83, resulting in GM Woody Woodward’s “retirement.” The Mariners headed into the offseason not only needing to fill its GM vacancy, but to address its 25-man roster and, most importantly, deal with Ken Griffey Jr.’s demand to be traded to a team closer to his Florida home. With no GM, numerous roster holes to fill, and the impending loss of Seattle’s franchise icon, the stars were seemingly aligned for a disastrous offseason. 

Enter, Pat GIllick.

Much like Dipoto, Gillick inherited a team full of needs, namely: first base, third base, left field, center field, a top of the rotation starting pitcher, arms for the bullpen, and a closer.

Gillick’s first order of business was to handle the Griffey situation, and he did so by trading the future hall of famer to Cincinnati for centerfielder Mike Cameron, reliever/spot starter Brett Tomko, and minor leaguers Jake Meyer and Antonio Perez.

Gillick then went out and deftly signed a handful of free agents that would meet the rest of the team’s needs for the 2000 season and beyond.  

Gillick signed the sweet swinging John Olerud to play first base, and when the Baltimore Orioles hesitated in signing Aaron Sele, Gillick swooped in and lured the veteran to Seattle to be the ace of the pitching staff.

Gillick continued his mastery with the signings of Mark McLemore to play second base (thereby pushing David Bell to third base), Stan Javier to play left field, and south paw Arthur Rhodes to help bridge the gap to newly acquired closer, Kazuhiro Sasaki.

In one spectacular off-season makeover, Gillick filled four positional needs and revamped his starting rotation and bullpen, all the while creating a deep, versatile, balanced and athletic roster.

Sixteen years later, Dipoto and his staff find themselves facing the same challenges as Gillick, and will endeavor to find similar success. So far, Dipoto has said all the right things by emphasizing pitching and defense, and wanting to make the roster deeper, more athletic, and better suited to Safeco Field.  

As we’ll discuss further in the weeks to follow, the right type of players are available for Dipoto to pull off a 1999/2000 offseason redux. With payroll rumored to remain the same as last season, the $130 million dollar question is whether Dipoto can parlay his talk into productive results?

We will soon find out as Dipoto and company are now on the clock.