SEATTLE (Ticker) -- It appears Woody Woodward will not have to deal with the monumental decisions regarding superstars Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez in Seattle.

KJR Radio is reporting Woodward will resign as general manager of the Mariners, effective at the end of October.

The Mariners have scheduled a news conference for 6 p.m. EDT.

The 56-year-old Woodward is the dean of major league general managers, having guided Seattle's baseball operations since July 28, 1988.

However, the organization is indeed at a crossroads with Griffey and Rodriguez eligible for free agency following the 2000 season. Since each player likely will command a multi-year contract worth more than $100 million, Mariners' ownership has indicated it will probably not be able to retain both.

With that being the case, Woodward would be in the position of fielding trade offers for either Griffey or Rodriguez.

Last year, Seattle owners indicated they would not give ace Randy Johnson a multi-year contract worth more than $50 million. As a result, Woodward dealt Johnson to the Houston Astros before the trade deadline. After the 1998 season, Johnson signed a four-year, $52 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Many baseball executives praised Woodward for landing pitchers Freddy Garcia and John Halama and infielder Carlos Guillen in the deal for Johnson. Garcia leads the Mariners with 15 wins.

Under Woodward, the Mariners won division titles in 1995 and 1997. They beat the New York Yankees in the divisional playoffs, but lost to Cleveland in the ALCS in 1995. In 1997, the Mariners fell to the Baltimore Orioles in the divisional playoffs.

However, the Mariners have failed to contend over the past two years, largely due to Woodward's inability to help a floundering bullpen. Last year, the Mariners finished with a disappointing 76-85 record. This season, Seattle is 72-74.

The reported resignation of Woodward would leave Herk Robinson of Kansas City and John Schuerholz of Atlanta as the senior general managers. Both were hired on October 10, 1990.

Woodward began his front office career with the Cincinnati Reds in 1978 as minor league coordinator and was promoted to assistant general manager in 1980. In October 1984, Woodward joined the New York Yankees as vice president of baseball administration and was promoted to vice president and general manager two years later.

Woodward resigned his position with the Yankees on October 21, 1987. One week later, he joined the Philadelphia Phillies as vice president of player personnel until June 7, 1988. Less than two months thereafter, he joined the Mariners.

Woodward made his best trade in May 1989 when he acquired Johnson and pitchers Brian Holman and Gene Harris from the Montreal Expos for pitcher Mark Langston. Woodward also selected Rodriguez with the first pick in the 1993 draft.