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Seattle Mariners Managerial Search: M's Set to Hire Rising Talent as Skipper
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- Seattle Mariners Managerial Search: M's Set to Hire Rising Talent as Skipper
According to a new report from Daniel Kramer of MLB.com, the Seattle Mariners are expected to announce Jason Kanzler as the team's newest manager on Tuesday.
Kanzler, 36, will be the second-youngest manager in baseball behind Blake Butera of the Washington Nationals . This will be his first managerial job at any professional level.
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He previously served as a minor league and major league hitting coordinator for the Houston Astros , and he has spent the last three years as the director of player development for the Chicago Cubs.
There's a lot to unpack with this hire, so let's break things down simply.
What we like about the hire
1) We're always hearing in the NFL about the "next great, young candidate," and teams are rushing to find the next Sean McVay or Mike Macdonald. Well, if you are someone who wants young, fresh and potentially great, then this is a good hire.
2) Kanzler is known as a strong communicator, which is something the Mariners reportedly lacked in 2026.
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3) Kanzler was seen an integral part of the growth and success of both Jeremy Pena and Alex Bregman in Houston, so he has a real resume in terms of connecting with and helping stars, something the M's have plenty of with Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodriguez and Josh Naylor.
Houston Astros Jason Kanzler poses for a 2022 MLB portrait. MLB photos via USA TODAY Sports
4) Having spent the last three years in player development, he has an idea of what it takes to get players better. And with the M's having so many young players who could play prominent roles, that seems like a good thing. Development shouldn't stop when players reach the big leagues.
5) He also speaks the language of the front office, which is a valuable asset in working with Jerry Dipoto and Justin Hollander. That could help bridge the gap between the field and the front office.
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6) He won a World Series with the Astros in 2022, working with possible Hall of Fame manager Dusty Baker. He's seen old school and new school in practice, and perhaps he can effectively blend the two.
Where the questions lie
1) This is a third consecutive first-time manager hire for the Mariners, who also hired Scott Servais and Dan Wilson. Buster Olney of ESPN was adamant that the team needed someone with experience , which is why he seemed to lean in favor of Joe Espada.
2) He's only 36 years old. How will Mariners players feel about responding to someone barely older than them? Will he be able to command their respect and attention?
We'll have much more on this story as it develops.
