Dipoto eyes end to Mariners’ postseason drought

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — In the 15 months since Jerry Dipoto was hired as the general manager of the Mariners, he has overseen such a thorough roster overhaul that second baseman Robinson Cano, third baseman Corey Seager and catcher Mike Zunino are the only holdovers in the starting lineup.

Oh, and Zunino was sent back to the Minor Leagues at the start of last season after Dipoto picked up veteran catcher Chris Iannetta for a one-year stay to give Zunino time to refine his offensive skills.

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Dipoto has given a complete overhaul to a bullpen that doesn’t include any players who were in the big leagues with the team when he became the GM on Sept. 28, 2015. He has also added two members of what would be the rotation if the season opened today, Ariel Miranda and Nathan Karns.

And he is busy at the Winter Meetings looking to add a proven veteran starter.

MLB.com and MLB Network have wall-to-wall coverage of the 2016 Winter Meetings from the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center outside Washington, D.C. Fans can watch live streaming of all news conferences and manager availability on MLB.com, including the Rule 5 Draft on Thursday at 6 a.m. PT.

Do not, however, call what the Mariners are undergoing a rebuild.

Dipoto doesn’t.

The Mariners haven’t been to the postseason since 2001, a drought that is the longest in the big leagues. In that same stretch, the four other American League West clubs have combined to make 21 postseason appearances — seven by the Angels, six by the A’s, five by the Rangers and three by the Astros.

Even though the Mariners could open the season with a lineup that could include rookies Mitch Haniger in right field, Dan …

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