Seattle Mariners Appoint Jason Kanzler as New Manager

The Seattle Mariners have named Chicago Cubs director of player development Jason Kanzler as their next manager, replacing Dan Wilson. The organization confirmed the hire on Tuesday following a thorough search process led by president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto.

Kanzler, 36, steps into the role without prior managerial experience at any level. He becomes the 22nd manager in franchise history and the third managerial hire made by Dipoto since 2015, following Scott Servais and Wilson.

"Our goal in this process was finding a manager with the ability to challenge all of us to improve," Jerry Dipoto said in a statement. "Jason has the mindset, expertise, communication skills, and intensity to help create a championship standard here in Seattle."

Before joining the Cubs' player development system in 2024, Kanzler worked within the Houston Astros organization. He served as a major-league coach in 2022—winning a World Series alongside former Astros skipper Joe Espada—and later worked as their assistant hitting coach in 2023.

Espada, who managed the Astros until recently, was the other primary finalist for the Seattle job. Another top candidate, Rocco Baldelli, withdrew from the interview process due to family considerations after managing the Minnesota Twins for seven seasons.

Kanzler takes over a Mariners team looking to bounce back from a difficult 2026 campaign. Expectations were exceptionally high entering the season after Seattle reached Game 7 of the American League Championship Series in 2025, but the team struggled significantly and finished with a 76-86 record, leading to Wilson's dismissal.

"I am thrilled to join the Mariners organization and I'm looking forward to hitting the ground running," Kanzler said in a statement. "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."

With a background heavily rooted in minor-league development and hitting instruction, Kanzler is expected to help bridge the gap for Seattle's younger prospects and core players looking to regain their offensive form.