RealGM

Eric Wedge says his uncertain contract status isn't the reason he decided not to return to the Seattle Mariners next season.

Wedge said Saturday he wouldn't have returned even if a long-term contract had been offered.

"Let me be clear here, the contract was not the reason I'm not coming back here," Wedge said. "If they'd offered me a five-year contract, I'm not coming back here."

Wedge said the reason behind his departure was a difference of opinion between him and Seattle's front office: CEO Howard Lincoln, president Chuck Armstrong and general manager Jack Zduriencik.

"Where they see the club, they being Howard, Chuck and Jack, and where I see the club, my vision of the future and theirs are just different," Wedge said. "That's as plain as I can make it."

Via Associated Press