Seattle, WA (My Sportsbook) - Seattle Mariners manager Lou Piniella reportedly will seek a release from his contract in the next four days. According to the Newark Star-Ledger, Piniella is meeting with team officials to end his relationship with the Mariners. The paper said a decision could come Monday. Piniella would then begin negotiations with the New York Mets or Tampa Bay Devil Rays next season, according to the report. He managed the Cincinnati Reds to a World Series title in 1990. The manager's contract with Seattle extends through the 2003 season, so the team will probably want compensation for losing Piniella, who led the team to a 93-69 record in 2002. Just last week, the Mariners announced that Piniella would return next season. "He's our manager," team spokesman Matt Roebuck said. "We want him back." And Piniella, twice the AL Manager of the Year with a 840-711 record in 10 seasons and four playoff appearances with Seattle, said he was coming back with the team. "I've got a contract," he said. "I plan to honor it." |
