The Mariners Are Expected to Pick Their Next Manager This Weekend
The search is down to two finalists — former Astros manager Joe Espada and Cubs player-development director Jason Kanzler — with a decision possibly as early as today.
The Seattle Mariners' managerial search is in its final hours. The club's two finalists — former Houston Astros manager Joe Espada and Chicago Cubs director of player development Jason Kanzler — have both completed in-person interviews.
Per MLB.com's Daniel Kramer, the Mariners plan to choose their next skipper this weekend, possibly as early as today, with an introductory press conference expected early next week.
The hire lands in the middle of baseball's busiest administrative week: every club's option decisions are due by Monday, November 2, and free agency opens the same day. Whoever takes the job inherits a roster conversation that starts immediately.
Once the manager is in place, Seattle is expected to prioritize bullpen upgrades, and may deal from its rotation depth to get them.
Mariners fans have watched this franchise turn managerial changes into turning points before. By Monday, the next one has a name.
