McClendon: 'Great' first meeting with Dipoto

SEATTLE -- Mariners skipper Lloyd McClendon met with new general manager Jerry Dipoto for about two hours on Monday morning, saying it was an excellent conversation. But whether McClendon is part of the club's future remains to be seen.

"I'm under contract to manage next year, and hopefully I'll manage the club," McClendon said. "So beyond that … if you're looking for security in this game, you're in the wrong business. That's me and every other manager."

McClendon is in his second season managing the club. The Mariners went 87-75 last year, missing a Wild Card berth by one game, and entered Monday's series opener with Houston at 74-82 with a team projected by many to challenge for the American League West title.

Dipoto will have an introductory news conference on Tuesday morning, during which one of the topics certainly will be McClendon's situation. But, for now, all that is known is that team president Kevin Mather said before starting the search process that he supported McClendon, but would leave the manager's status up to the new GM.

One of the first things Dipoto did upon getting the Mariners' job was sit down with McClendon.

"It was great," McClendon said. "He's a very energetic, intelligent, dynamic, forward-thinking guy. I thought we hit it off pretty good and had very honest discussions about a lot of things, and it went very well."

McClendon said Dipoto offered some of his own perspectives on the Mariners, as seen from a former division rival, though the skipper said he wouldn't share those thoughts.

Dipoto clashed at times with veteran Angels manager Mike Scioscia, one of the primary reasons for his resignation on July 1. Obviously, he'll be looking for a good working relationship with whoever is managing the Mariners.

McClendon said he believes Dipoto shares his same vision regarding the Mariners' future.

"I would think so," he said. "Obviously we haven't had a chance to sit down and talk about everything surrounding this ballclub, but I would be hard-pressed to think his ultimate goal is not the same one I have, and that's to win a [World Series] championship."