Mariners Hire 36-Year-Old Jason Kanzler as Manager

The Seattle Mariners announced on Tuesday that they have named Jason Kanzler as their new manager. The hiring follows the dismissal of Dan Wilson after the end of the 2026 season. Kanzler currently serves as the director of player development for the Chicago Cubs.

The Mariners finished the 2026 campaign with a 76-86 record. They ended the year five games out of first place in the American League West. This result stands in sharp contrast to the previous season, when the team reached Game 7 of the American League Championship Series and came within five outs of a World Series berth.

Jerry Dipoto, president of baseball operations for the Mariners, stated that the goal was to find a leader who could challenge the organization to improve. Dipoto said Kanzler possesses the mindset, expertise, and intensity needed to establish a championship standard in Seattle.

At 36 years old, Kanzler is the second-youngest manager in Major League Baseball. Blake Butera, the 34-year-old manager of the Washington Nationals, is the only manager younger than him. The move represents a rare step for a front office, as Kanzler has never held a managerial position at any level of the sport.

Kanzler brings extensive coaching experience to the role. He worked as a major league coach with the Houston Astros in 2022 and served as their assistant hitting coach in 2023. The Cubs hired him in 2024 to run their player development department. Joe Espada, a former Astros manager, was reportedly the other finalist for the position.

Kanzler expressed enthusiasm about joining the Mariners organization. He said he is eager to work with a team that possesses a high level of talent across all aspects of the game. His stated objective is to unlock the full potential of the roster with the help of his coaching staff.

This is the third managerial change for the Mariners since Dipoto took over baseball operations in September 2015. Scott Servais managed the team from 2015 to 2024. Wilson held the position from 2024 through the 2026 season.