SEATTLE -- Jerry Dipoto went outside the box with his first major hire as Mariners general manager, signing up Rockies sports psychologist Andy McKay as the team's new director of player development, even though the two have no prior connections.
The Mariners finalized McKay's hiring on Wednesday, and the 44-year-old will now take over as the club's farm director, overseeing the six Minor League teams as well as the Dominican Republic Academy. He replaces Chris Gwynn, who resigned on Oct. 8 after four years in that position.
McKay doesn't have any history with Dipoto, other than when Dipoto made some inquiries into his potential interest in coming to work for the Angels three years ago.