“The last few years have been somewhat similar,” he said flatly.

McLaren did not immediately return a message left on his cell phone by The Associated Press.

When asked Wednesday night if he was worried about his future before yet another loss, to Florida, the mostly sunny McLaren laughed.

“You know, it’s business as usual for me,” he said, with a hint of emotion in his voice and eyes. “I come out here with the positive attitude, ready to grind. It’s a new day. Not happy with where we are, but I know where we want to go.

Now Suzuki and the marooned Mariners get the more serious, 55-year-old Riggleman — and a notice that anyone could be next out of Seattle.

The team appears poised to eat the $7.8 million remaining on endlessly slumping slugger Richie Sexson’s $14 million contract, which ends after the season. Punchless designated hitter Jose Vidro also seems destined for release.

Yet both Sexson and Vidro were on the flight to Atlanta on Thursday.

“I would expect more player moves,” Armstrong said.

Slide show   Week in Sports Pictures Pain on the skating rink, flying high on the hardwood, upsets on the football field, and more. more photos

The 55-year-old Riggleman is a former manager of the San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs whom McLaren added to his staff last winter.

“Jim’s a serious man. He’s not a guy looking to have fun,” Pelekoudas said.

Pelekoudas wouldn’t answer whether McLaren was too nice and jovial for an already soft team.

McLaren became Seattle’s accidental manager when Hargrove suddenly resigned midway through last season as the Mariners were making a surprising run at the division title. Under McLaren’s lead, they stayed in contention into late August before a nine-game losing streak doomed them.

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