Overview
- The Mariners are conducting in-person, multi-level interviews this week at T‑Mobile Park with Joe Espada and Jason Kanzler after both advanced through earlier virtual rounds.
- Rocco Baldelli removed his name from consideration on Monday for family reasons, eliminating a widely reported frontrunner and forcing the club to pivot to other candidates.
- President of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto has said prior Major League managing experience is not required but is preferred, a stance that highlights the tradeoff between Espada’s big-league managerial record and Kanzler’s youth and player-development background.
- The interview schedule includes meetings with ownership, front-office leaders and retained major-league coaches, and the process is focused on finding a communicator who can also rebuild the club’s coaching staff.
- The choice is expected soon and will influence Seattle’s broader offseason work, including filling multiple coaching vacancies and setting the team’s approach to player development and hitting strategy.