New GM Dipoto begins to restructure front office

SEATTLE -- Joe McIlvaine and Pete Vuckovich, two special assistants to former general manager Jack Zduriencik, were informed Monday their contracts would not be renewed, as new Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto began restructuring his front office, according to a Major League source.

Duane Shaffer and Joe Nigro, two Major League scouts for the Mariners, were also told their contracts would be allowed to expire.

The four all have contracts expiring on Nov. 1 and more changes are likely forthcoming as Dipoto takes over a team run the previous seven seasons by Zduriencik.

McIlvaine and Vuckovich both spent the past four years as special assistants to the former general manager. McIlvaine previously worked with Twins, Mets and Padres. Vuckovich was the 1982 American League Cy Young Award winner with the Brewers during his 11-year big league career and also has worked in the Pirates front office as well as four years as their pitching coach.

Shaffer has been with the Mariners since 2007, initially working as a special assistant to then-GM Bill Bavasi before going into scouting. He also worked several seasons as a special assistant to Zduriencik before moving back into the scouting department.

Nigro has worked in the scouting department since 2009 in his second stint with the Mariners.