Mariners Make Stunning Hire For New Manager

November 03, 2026
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The Seattle Mariners like to fancy themselves as a contender in the American League, despite a down season in 2026. The 76-win campaign cost Dan Wilson his job. But in a shocking move, the M's have hired a man who has absolutely zero experience as a manager—at any level—to be their new field boss.

Jason Kanzler, 36, was the Chicago Cubs' director of player development, and was a bench coach with the Houston Astros in 2022 and 2023. But as manager? He's never done it. Anywhere. 

And two recent major leaguers who now serve as analysts on the Foul Territory podcast, are not fans of this move for Seattle, a team that made it to Game 7 of the ALCS in 2025, and is still supposedly loaded enough to be ready to win.  

"Jason Kenzler will do any analytical thing that president of baseball operations Jerry DiPoto wants," said AJ Pierzynski. "But I thought for a team that's ready to win, you should hire a guy who's ready to win. Not a guy who needs to learn on the job... For a team that's ready to contend and expected to win, like the Mariners are supposed to be, you hire a guy with experience because he's been through the learning curve."

"For the Mariners, you need somebody who's able to get Julio Rodriguez to hit in April," said Erik Kratz. "It's not the route I would have gone, but that doesn't mean it's the wrong route."

Mariners general manager Justin Hollander said in a statement that Kanzler "consistently demonstrated elite leadership skills, high-end content and an ability to connect and partner with players, staff and front office" throughout the interview process.

Dipoto added, "Jason has the mindset, expertise, communication skills, and intensity to help create a championship standard here in Seattle."



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