Mariners Name Jason Kanzler as Manager for 2027
The 36-year-old former Houston Astros coach will replace Dan Wilson after Seattle finished with its first losing record since 2020.
By Bianca Shevchenko ·
Seattle Mariners fans will see a new face leading the dugout when the 2027 season begins. The club hired Jason Kanzler as its manager on Tuesday, ending a search that followed a disappointing 2026 campaign. This move puts a 36-year-old former player development director in charge of a team that hopes to return to the postseason.
Jerry Dipoto, the Mariners' President of Baseball Operations, announced the appointment on Tuesday morning. Kanzler becomes the 22nd manager in the franchise's history. He is the second-youngest manager currently working in Major League Baseball. Only Blake Butera of the Washington Nationals is younger at 34 years old. This is Kanzler's first time holding a managerial position.
Kanzler was born in Penfield, New York, and attended the University of Buffalo for college baseball. The Minnesota Twins drafted him in the 20th round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft. He started his coaching career in 2019 with the Houston Astros, Seattle's division rival. He won a World Series with Houston in 2022. For the past two seasons, he served as the director of player development for the Chicago Cubs.
Justin Hollander, the Mariners' general manager, praised Kanzler's leadership qualities. Hollander called him the right person to lead the organization back to the postseason. He said Kanzler consistently demonstrated elite leadership skills and high-end content throughout the hiring process. Hollander noted that Kanzler has an ability to connect with players, staff, and the front office. Dipoto added that Kanzler has the mindset and intensity to create a championship standard in Seattle.
Kanzler expressed his eagerness to start work immediately in the new role. He said he looks forward to hitting the ground running. He hopes to unlock the team's full potential. The Mariners did not release details regarding the length or value of his contract.
The hiring follows a 2026 season that fell short of expectations. The Mariners finished with a 76-86 record, their first losing season since 2020. Injuries and poor performance contributed to the drop. Former manager Dan Wilson faced scrutiny over his lineup construction and pitching decisions. Some players showed lapses in focus, such as Julio Rodríguez throwing a live ball into the stands in Milwaukee while thinking there were three outs. Wilson also drew criticism for how he explained team decisions to players and reporters.
Kanzler is the third manager to lead the Mariners in the last four seasons. The team came eight outs away from the World Series in 2025 under previous leadership. The front office hopes the new hire can stabilize the roster and restore discipline. An introductory press conference is scheduled for Wednesday at 2 p.m.
