Mariners Name Kanzler New Manager

The Seattle Mariners announced on Tuesday that they have hired Jason Kanzler as their new manager. The 36-year-old former Chicago Cubs farm director takes over the helm after the team finished the 2026 season with a 76-86 record. This result followed a period of high expectations that included a run to Game 7 of the American League Championship Series in 2025.

Kanzler replaces Dan Wilson, who was let go after the disappointing campaign. Before joining Seattle, Kanzler served as the Cubs’ director of player development, where he oversaw the organization’s minor league system, players, and coaching staff. He has not managed a professional club at any level previously. His managerial experience comes from the coaching side, having spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons on the Houston Astros’ big league staff as an assistant hitting coach.

At 36, Kanzler will be the second-youngest manager in Major League Baseball. Only Blake Butera, the 34-year-old manager of the Washington Nationals, is younger. Kanzler’s path to management included a stint as a high school teacher in Katy, Texas, where he taught chemistry and physics after his playing career ended. He originally entered the Houston organization in 2019 as a hitting coach for the High-A Fayetteville team.

General Manager Justin Hollander stated that the organization believes Kanzler can lead the club back to the postseason. Hollander noted that Kanzler demonstrated elite leadership skills and the ability to connect with players and staff throughout the hiring process. The Mariners won the AL West in 2025, securing their first division title in 24 years and coming within one win of their first World Series appearance. However, the 2026 season was marked by injuries and a decline in performance from key players.

Offensive output dropped sharply for Seattle last season. Slugger Cal Raleigh batted .182 with 23 home runs and 69 runs batted in. Center fielder Julio Rodriguez and first baseman Josh Naylor also posted career-worst statistics. As a result, the Mariners scored just 664 runs, which was the third-fewest total in the majors. Despite the recent struggles, Seattle remains the only major league team that has never reached the World Series.

Kanzler expressed his enthusiasm for the new role in a statement released by the team. He said he is looking forward to hitting the ground running and working with his coaching staff. He described the roster as having immense talent in all facets of the game and said he is excited to unlock the team’s full potential. The Mariners will begin their preparations under his leadership as they look to stabilize the roster for the upcoming season.