Mariners deny accusations of racism from fired high-performance director

The Seattle Mariners are denying accusations from former high-performance director Dr. Lorena Martin that members of team management have directed racist remarks toward the club's Latino players.

The Mariners terminated Martin's contract on Oct. 10.

"While it is our policy to not comment on personnel issues, we do feel it is important to respond to the outrageous, false claims made by her today on social media," the team said in a statement. "And to note that Martin did not make any of these false allegations until after she was relieved of her duties.

"The Mariners categorically deny that any member of our management or coaching staff made racist remarks regarding any of our players or staff. Additionally, we have not terminated (or threatened to terminate) any trainers during the offseason."

Martin used social media to comment on her firing, accusing members of the team's front office of making racist remarks and having poor leadership.

"The things I've witnessed and heard first hand have left me shocked," she wrote. "How can GM Jerry Dipoto, manager Scott Servais, and director of player development Andy McKay speak about their players like this ... Calling LATINOS LAZY, DUMB, and STUPID, especially the DOMINICANS."

At the end of the 2018 season, the Mariners had several Dominican players on their roster, including Nelson Cruz, Robinson Cano, Jean Segura, Juan Nicasio, and Alex Colome.

Martin added that the team's leadership under Dipoto is to blame for the Mariners' lack of postseason appearances and success.

"Leadership is to blame, under Jerry Dipoto's leadership no team has made it to the playoffs and they will continue to miss the playoffs with him in his position. Poor leadership.

"It's come to the point where I have to speak out because they are firing innocent trainers for trying to do the right thing and because of their color/race."

The Mariners are attempting to avoid paying the remainder of the two years left on Martin's contract, sources told the Seattle Times' Ryan Divish.

"They wanted to negotiate to keep me quiet," Martin said in a reply to Divish's tweet.

Martin responded to the Mariners' statement, disputing the team's suggestion that she waited until after her firing to mention the indiscretions she witnessed.

"There was a breach of contract on the Mariners behalf," she wrote. "And I had reported many other discriminatory incidences to HR and other Mariners staff members throughout the season. And yes Leonardo Santiago and Jose Valdez, (Dominican) trainers were let go and not given new contracts."