The Seattle Mariners hired Jason Kanzler, the Chicago Cubs’ director of player development, as manager after firing Dan Wilson following a disappointing season. Kanzler, 36, has never managed at any level, but brings major-league coaching experience with the Houston Astros and player-development experience with both the Astros and Cubs.

By the Numbers
  • Seattle finished 76-86, five games behind in the AL West.
  • The Mariners were five outs from their first World Series appearance in Game 7 of the ALCS the previous year.
  • Kanzler is 36 and will be MLB’s second-youngest manager; Washington’s Blake Butera is 34.
  • Kanzler coached with Houston in 2022 and served as assistant hitting coach in 2023; Chicago hired him in 2024.
Yes, But

Hiring a manager without any prior managerial experience is unusual, but not without precedent: Aaron Boone had no coaching or managing experience when the Yankees hired him in 2018, and has since led them to the postseason eight times in nine seasons. Kanzler’s major-league coaching background offers some experience, though leading a club is a new challenge.

Bottom Line

Seattle is betting that Kanzler’s player-development expertise and leadership can unlock a talented roster that fell short of expectations.