More front office changes: Benny Looper declines to stay with Mariners | Tacoma News Tribune

The shuffling within the Mariners front office continues. GM Jack Zduriencik announced that longtime Mariner executive Benny Looper has decided to no longer remain with the organization.

As part of the restructuring Looper, who was vice president of player personnel, was offered a job in the pro scouting department. However, he declined the position switch and opted to look elsewhere. Here's the release from the Mariners including quotes from Zduriencik and Looper.

BENNY LOOPER DECLINES OPPORTUNITY TO REMAIN WITH CLUB

SEATTLE, WA - Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Jack Zduriencik announced today that Benny Looper has declined an opportunity to remain with the Mariners.

"As a part of the restructuring of the Mariners baseball operations department and in an attempt to upgrade our pro scouting efforts, with Benny relocating to Oklahoma he was offered a position in our Pro Scouting department," Zduriencik said. "He has declined the opportunity and determined that it was time for him to move on. I had truly hoped he would stay with the organization, but respect his decision and, on behalf of everyone here, thank him for his many years of service to the Mariners."

Looper spent 23 seasons with Seattle, beginning his Mariners career in 1987 as a part time scout. He served variously as a fulltime scout (1988), scouting supervisor (1989-91), national cross checker (1992) and national supervisor and special assignment scout (1993-97). He was promoted to Director of Player Development at the end of 1997 and to VP of Player Development in 2002. He took on additional responsibilities as Vice President, Player Development & Scouting at the end of 2003, and was promoted to Vice President, Player Personnel following the 2006 season.

Benny's son, Aaron, pitched in the Majors with the Mariners in 2003 and is currently a fulltime scout with the St. Louis Cardinals. Benny's nephew, Braden, pitches for the Cardinals.

"I've always loved the Mariners organization," Looper said, "but more than that, I'll miss the people with whom I've worked and become friends. I wish the Mariners nothing but the best."