Sports · Baseball · 2 hrs ago
Mariners hire Jason Kanzler as manager despite no previous managerial experience
The Seattle Mariners named Jason Kanzler their new manager after firing Dan Wilson following the 2026 season.
Kanzler, 36, was the Chicago Cubs’ director of player development and has never managed a team at any level.
He previously coached in the Houston Astros’ major-league staff and farm system, then joined the Cubs in 2024.
Seattle is taking a chance on a first-time manager after a disappointing season in which it went 76-86 and finished five games behind in the American League West.
The year before, the Mariners reached Game 7 of the American League Championship Series and came within five outs of their first World Series appearance.
The club hopes Kanzler can help unlock its talent after many of its key hitters underperformed in 2026.
Kanzler will be Seattle’s third manager since Jerry Dipoto took charge of baseball operations in 2015.
The Seattle Mariners have hired Jason Kanzler, the Chicago Cubs’ director of player development, as their new manager.
Kanzler, 36, has no previous managerial experience at any level.
He replaces Dan Wilson, who was fired after Seattle finished the 2026 season 76-86 and missed the playoffs.
Kanzler previously worked as a coach in the Houston Astros organization, including on their major-league staff in 2022 and 2023.
Mariners executives said they valued his leadership, communication skills and ability to help players develop.
- Who
- Jason Kanzler, the Chicago Cubs’ director of player development, will manage the Seattle Mariners.
- What
- The Mariners hired him as their new manager. It will be his first managerial job at any level.
- When
- Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
- Where
- Seattle, Washington.
- Why
- Mariners executives said they wanted a manager who could challenge the organization to improve and help players develop.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Minnesota Twins selected Kanzler in the 20th round of the draft.
The Houston Astros hired Kanzler as a hitting coach for High-A Fayetteville.
Kanzler served on the Astros’ major-league coaching staff, becoming assistant hitting coach in 2023.
The Cubs hired Kanzler to oversee player development.
The Mariners reached Game 7 of the American League Championship Series.
Seattle finished 76-86, fired Dan Wilson and hired Kanzler as manager.
- Age
- 36
- Previous managerial experience
- None
- Previous role
- Chicago Cubs director of player development
- Mariners’ 2026 record
- 76-86
- Mariners’ 2025 postseason result
- Lost Game 7 of the American League Championship Series
- Youngest manager comparison
- Second-youngest in baseball, behind 34-year-old Blake Butera
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What people are saying
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.
Our goal in this process was finding a manager with the ability to challenge all of us to improve,
consistently demonstrated elite leadership skills, high-end content and an ability to connect and partner with players, staff and front office
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A new captain at the helm 🫡 Jason Kanzler is ready to lead the charge as our new manager. Welcome to Seattle! 🔗 https://t.co/HYXzYGEWpZ