A month after former Mariners manager Dan Wilson announced his decision to step away from the team, the team might be closing in on two potential finalists for his job.
MLB.com reports that former Astros manager Joe Espada and the Cubs’ current director of player development Jason Kanzler will be visiting T-Mobile Park for in-person interviews this week, according to several of their sources.
Espada went 256-229 during his time as the Astros’ manager and served as the Astros’ bench coach for six years. The Mariners received permission to interview Espada earlier this month.
Kanzler, on the other hand, is a dark horse candidate. Kanzler has never managed a team, but the former Minnesota Twins draftee has helped the Cubs develop their farm system for three seasons.
MLB.com notes that the Mariners are particularly interested in Kanzler, due to his hitting background, ability to develop players, and his communication skills.
This is the third round of interviews for both candidates, and the two will spend time meeting several members of the organization during their respective interviews, according to MLB.com.
As for other candidates in the running, MLB.com says Rocco Baldelli, Walker McKinven, Brandon Hyde, Torey Lovullo, and Stephen Vogt’s names all came up at some point, according to their sources. Baldelli was also invited to an in-person interview, but withdrew his name, according to a report from The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.