The Seattle Mariners announced on Tuesday that they have hired Jason Kanzler as their new manager. The 36-year-old currently serves as the director of player development for the Chicago Cubs. He will take over the helm from Dan Wilson, a longtime catcher who was dismissed at the end of the previous season.
Kanzler brings a distinct background to the role, having never managed a team at any level of baseball prior to this appointment. He succeeds Wilson, who oversaw a franchise that faced significant challenges in 2026. Despite high expectations following a run to Game 7 of the American League Championship Series in 2025, the Mariners struggled to find consistency, finishing with a 76-86 record and missing the playoffs in a competitive division.
The new manager inherits a roster known for its depth and star power, featuring superstars Cal Raleigh and Julio Rodriguez alongside a strong group of starting pitchers. His primary task will be to identify what went wrong during a season where key offensive players underperformed and the pitching staff faltered in the final stretch of the year.
Kanzler's career in baseball began as an outfielder drafted in the 20th round in 2013. He spent five years within the Houston Astros organization, including stints as a major league coach in 2022 and 2023. The Cubs brought him on board at the start of 2024, where he played a key role in developing young talent such as Pedro Ramirez, Matt Shaw, and Pete Crow-Armstrong.
While former Astros manager Joe Espada was also reportedly a finalist for the position, the Mariners chose Kanzler for his blend of intelligence, intensity, and creativity. Front office executives believe his approach will help players continue to develop while in the major leagues, a quality they view as essential for a roster that includes several promising young athletes.
Mariners general manager Justin Hollander praised Kanzler's performance during the interview process. He noted that Kanzler consistently displayed elite leadership skills and a strong ability to connect with players, staff, and the front office. Hollander emphasized the quality of the content Kanzler brought to the discussions.
Jerry Dipoto, the president of baseball operations for the Mariners, stated that the organization sought a manager capable of challenging everyone to improve. He expressed confidence that Kanzler possesses the mindset, expertise, communication skills, and intensity needed to establish a championship standard in Seattle.
This hiring marks the third managerial change under Dipoto, who was brought in near the end of the 2015 season. After firing Scott Servais for the stretch run of the 2024 season, the club opted for an internal solution by promoting Wilson, who had been working as a minor league field coordinator. Wilson was given a full-time role rather than an interim title.
Wilson's tenure included a 2025 season where the Mariners won 90 games but fell short of their first franchise pennant when George Springer of the Toronto Blue Jays hit a three-run home run in a crucial game. However, the 2026 season saw struggles from key players, including Josh Naylor, who was in the first year of a $92.5 million contract, and Brendan Donovan, who played in only 39 games. The starting rotation, led by Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Bryan Woo, and Bryce Miller, posted the sixth-highest ERA in the majors after the All-Star break.
The Mariners finished five games behind the Houston Astros, who won the AL West with a .500 record. Wilson was fired on the final day of the season. In a statement, Kanzler expressed excitement about the team's talent and looked forward to working with his coaching staff to unlock the full potential of the roster.
