“We’re very open with our gamers and urge them to be the identical. And in the event that they need to be offended, they need to be, frankly. They need to be insulted,” Dipoto stated Tuesday. “However on the identical time, they’re collectively pushed towards what we’re making an attempt to do right here as a staff.”

The video posted over the weekend confirmed Mather expressing his views of the membership’s organizational technique and making controversial remarks about gamers throughout a current on-line occasion. He took insensitive pictures at a former All-Star from Japan and a high prospect from the Dominican Republic for his or her English expertise. He additionally admitted the staff could also be manipulating service time for a few of its younger gamers.

Mather apologized Sunday after which abruptly resigned the following day, however not earlier than casting a pall over the group because it started full squad exercises in Arizona.

Dipoto and Servais are each offended.

“I’m embarrassed that that is the best way we’re considered as a result of for these of you who’ve been round me or Scott or this staff, this isn’t how we’re wired,” Dipoto stated. “It’s embarrassing to be categorized or cope with the stigma that we at the moment are pinned with, and we now have to shed it. It’s ours to bear and we now should be accountable to that, after which discover a solution to develop past it.”

Mather’s most inflammatory feedback have been concerning the English expertise of former All-Star pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma and high prospect Julio Rodriguez and drew the strongest responses from Dipoto and Servais.

Servais referenced his winter baseball experiences within the Dominican Republic and Venezuela and the Mariners’ season-opening journey to Japan two years in the past.

“It’s an eyeopener. You actually, actually recognize what overseas gamers should undergo. Not simply speaking, however then making an attempt to determine methods to play the sport on the highest degree,” Servais stated. “So no one has extra appreciation for it than I do and it’s a topic I’m very delicate to.”

Mather undermined technique on the baseball aspect, admitting that the staff was probably manipulating service time for high prospects Jarred Kelenic and Logan Gilbert. Mather additionally divulged details about contract negotiations with Kelenic and pitcher James Paxton and known as veteran Kyle Seager “overpaid.”

Mather drew the ire of the MLB Gamers Affiliation by saying neither Kelenic and Gilbert could be with the foremost league membership on opening day as a solution to hold membership management for longer.

However Servais and Dipoto stated selections on the roster haven’t been made and that the plans for Kelenic and Gilbert have been laid out and communicated to each.

“All of our gamers are conscious of what their path is, what their improvement plan appears like, and we’re very direct and the way we share it,” Dipoto stated.

Servais stated he met with a number of gamers immediately talked about by Mather.

“I’d say that the temperature was highly regarded with various guys that actually their names have been talked about for various completely different causes,” Servais stated. “It wasn’t stunning in any respect. However I really feel superb about this group and I’m pleased with the best way they’ve dealt with issues thus far. We might discuss this all day lengthy and our gamers will proceed to deal with issues the precise manner.”