Sports · Baseball · 1 hr ago
Mariners to hire Yankees coach Tanner Swanson as bench coach
The Seattle Mariners are hiring Tanner Swanson as bench coach.
Swanson has been the New York Yankees’ catching coach and field coordinator since joining their staff in 2020.
He is known for his work developing catchers, including Yankees catcher Austin Wells.
Swanson also served as bench coach for Great Britain in the 2026 World Baseball Classic and briefly managed a Yankees game this July.
He will work with new Mariners manager Jason Kanzler, who has never managed at any level and was previously the Chicago Cubs’ director of player development.
Seattle is rebuilding its coaching staff after firing Dan Wilson following what the story describes as a disastrous 2026 season.
The Seattle Mariners are hiring Tanner Swanson, a New York Yankees coach, as their bench coach.
Swanson had worked as the Yankees’ major league quality control coach and catching coordinator.
The hiring comes two days after Seattle introduced Jason Kanzler as manager.
Swanson is a Washington state native who began his professional coaching career with the Minnesota Twins in 2017.
Kanzler has never managed at any level, and the Mariners are seeking to recover from a disappointing 2026 season.
- Who
- The Seattle Mariners are hiring Tanner Swanson, a Yankees coach, as bench coach.
- What
- Swanson will join the Mariners’ coaching staff under manager Jason Kanzler.
- When
- The hiring was reported on November 6, 2026.
- Where
- Seattle, Washington.
- Why
- The Mariners are pairing Swanson with first-time manager Jason Kanzler. The team is seeking to bounce back from a disappointing 2026 season.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Minnesota Twins hired Swanson as a minor league catching coordinator.
Swanson got his first major league job with the Yankees, according to MLB Trade Rumors.
Swanson served as bench coach for Great Britain.
Swanson served as acting manager for the Yankees in a game against the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Mariners introduced Jason Kanzler as manager, two days before the hiring report.
Reports said the Mariners were hiring Swanson as bench coach.
- New role
- Mariners bench coach
- Previous team
- New York Yankees
- Previous positions
- Major league quality control coach and catching coordinator
- Manager
- Jason Kanzler
- Swanson's age
- 44
- First professional coaching role
- Minnesota Twins, 2017