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The Seattle Mariners have appointed Jason Kanzler as their new manager, marking his first managerial role at any level. The 36-year-old replaces Dan Wilson, who was dismissed after the Mariners finished the season with a 76-86 record. The team announced the hiring on Tuesday (November 3), as reported by The Spokesman-Review.
Kanzler previously served as the director of player development for the Chicago Cubs, where he gained a reputation for strong communication skills and a focus on advanced metrics. Before joining the Cubs, he was part of the Houston Astros' coaching staff during their 2022 championship season. According to the Associated Press, Kanzler was the assistant hitting coach for the Astros in 2023.
Mariners president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto expressed confidence in Kanzler's ability to lead the team. "Our goal in this process was finding a manager with the ability to challenge all of us to improve," Dipoto said. "Jason has the mindset, expertise, communication skills, and intensity to help create a championship standard here in Seattle."
Kanzler's appointment follows a disappointing season for the Mariners, who had entered 2026 with high expectations after reaching Game 7 of the American League Championship Series in 2025. The Mariners' search for a new manager included interviews with former Astros manager Joe Espada and former Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli, who withdrew from consideration due to family matters, as reported by CBS Sports.
Kanzler expressed enthusiasm about his new role, stating, "I am thrilled to join the Mariners organization and I'm looking forward to hitting the ground running. This team has an immense amount of talent in all facets of the game, and my coaching staff and I are excited to access and unlock this team's full potential."