Seattle Mariners hire Chicago Cubs farm director Jason Kanzler as manager

The Seattle Mariners have hired Chicago Cubs farm director Jason Kanzler as manager, the team said Tuesday.The 36-year-old Kanzler replaces Dan Wilson, who was fired after a disappointing 76-86 season that began with World Series aspirations. Seattle reached Game 7 of the American League Championship Series in 2025.Kanzler was the Cubs' director of player development, leading the organization’s minor league system, players and coaching staff. A former minor league player and coach, Kanzler has not managed a club at any level. He was on the big league coaching staff for the Houston Astros in 2022-23, serving as assistant hitting coach in his final season.He will be the second-youngest manager in baseball behind Washington’s 34-year-old skipper Blake Butera.“I am thrilled to join the Mariners organization and I’m looking forward to hitting the ground running,” Kanzler said in a statement. “This team has an immense amount of talent in all facets of the game, and my coaching staff and I ar