Two Mariners manager candidates set for in-person interviews

By all indications, the Seattle Mariners are in the stretch run of their search to find the next manager of the team. They have scheduled final interviews with candidates in Seattle this week and appear to have a good shot at wrapping up accomplishing the task by their desired (soft) deadline of the end of the month.

Drayer: Taking stock of Seattle Mariners’ manager search

MLB sources confirm a Monday evening report from MLB.com that former Houston Astros manager Joe Espada and Chicago Cubs director of player development Jason Kanzler are two candidates that will be in Seattle for interviews this week. Former Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli was originally to be among those to also be interviewed, but Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported Sunday that Baldelli declined the opportunity due to “family considerations.”

As of Monday night, Espada and Kanzler are believed to be the only candidates known to be traveling to Seattle for interviews that will involve Mariners front office members, ownership and current coaches, although a source leaves the door open for there to be another or others.

A closer look at reported M’s manager candidate Joe Espada

From the beginning of the offseason, Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto and general manager Justin Hollander have promised an extensive search for the next manager, and by all accounts they have cast a wide net to find the person who would best meet their needs. Managerial experience was preferred but not required, and that is exactly what is represented with what very well could be the final two candidates.

Espada, 51, brings extensive coaching experience at the major league level with the Marlins, Yankees and Astros. He was hired as Houston’s bench coach prior to the 2018 season and was promoted to manage the club when Dusty Baker retired after the 2023 season. As manager of the Astros, Espada posted a record of 256-259, winning two division titles while going 0-4 in their two American League Wild Card Series appearances.

Kanzler is the “out of the box” candidate. If hired, the 36 year old would become the second youngest manager in the game behind Blake Butera (34) of the Washington Nationals. A former minor league infielder, Kanzler played three years in Twins organization, topping out at High-A in 2015. Kanzler then coached and taught high school chemistry and physics in Texas before taking a job with the Astros as a minor league hitting coach in 2019. While with the Astros, he held a number of hitting jobs at different levels, including two with the major league team as a hitting coach. In 2024, he was hired as director of player development with the Cubs. He has not managed at any level.

Morosi’s insight on M’s manager candidate Jason Kanzler

The Mariners announced at the end of the regular season that Dan Wilson would not return in 2027 after serving as manager since August 2024, a tenure that included an AL West title and trip to the AL Championship Series in 2025. Since Dipoto joined the franchise as general manager at the end of the 2015 season, the M’s have hired two managers in Scott Servais and Wilson, neither of which had prior managerial experience.

Seattle Mariners news and more

• Former Mariners catcher Mitch Garver retires
• Salk: 5 qualities the Seattle Mariners’ next manager needs
• Insider reports potential Mariners’ manager hire timeline

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