Wedge: contract not reason for leaving Mariners

Published Sep. 28, 2013 5:04 p.m. ET

foxsports

SEATTLE (AP) -- Seattle Mariners manager Eric Wedge says his uncertain contract status wasn't the reason he decided not to return next season.

A day after announcing he would step down after this season, Wedge said he wanted to clarify his reasoning, after much of the media coverage focused on his lack of a contract for next season. Wedge had said earlier in the week he felt he was left "hanging out there" by the organization regarding his status for 2014.
However, on Saturday he said he wouldn't have returned even if a long-term contract had been offered.
Wedge said the reason behind his departure was a difference of opinion between him and the Mariners' front office: CEO Howard Lincoln, president Chuck Armstrong and general manager Jack Zduriencik.