Mariners hire Bavasi as GM

SEATTLE, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Bill Bavasi has been named the executive vice president and general manager of the Seattle Mariners.

Bavasi, 45, who built the foundation of the 2002 world champion Anaheim Angels, replaces Pat Gillick, who announced on Sept. 30 his desire to move to a consulting role with the Mariners.

"While we considered many very qualified individuals, Bill was our top pick and we believe he is the best person to lead the club," said Mariners chairman and CEO Howard Lincoln.

"This is a tremendous opportunity and honor for me," said Bavasi, who served the last two seasons as the director of player development for the Los Angeles Dodgers. "The Mariners' franchise is one of the elite franchises in all of baseball."

During Bavasi's 14-year tenure in Anaheim as farm director, assistant general manager and general manager, the Angels developed Troy Percival, Garret Anderson, Darin Erstad, Tim Salmon, Troy Glaus, Bengie Molina, Jarrod Washburn, John Lackey, Ramon Ortiz, and Francisco Rodriguez. Those players were the nucleus of Anaheim's 2002 championship team.