Jason Kanzler didn’t waste much time introducing himself to Seattle fans with a little edge.
At his introductory press conference Wednesday at T-Mobile Park, the Mariners’ new manager took a playful swipe at the Houston Astros, the organization he came from without saying its name. The line landed as a clear nod to the American League West rivalry and to Kanzler’s past trips to Seattle as an opposing coach.
New Mariners manager Jason Kanzler refers to the Astros as "the team that shall not be named" during his introductory press conference 😂 pic.twitter.com/8SzpF4XHzo
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 4, 2026
“I fondly remember coming here when I was with the the team that shall not be named”
MLB Network caught the moment and shared it Wednesday on X, formerly Twitter, with a laughing emoji, underscoring the light tone of the exchange.
Kanzler’s path to the job also tied him to another familiar name in the search. Mariners President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto chose him over former Astros manager Joe Espada. Both men worked under Dusty Baker during Houston’s 2022 championship season.
Kanzler’s rise has been quick. Houston moved him from minor league hitting coordinator to its major league coaching staff in 2022, then promoted him to assistant hitting coach the next season.
The Chicago Cubs hired him in January 2024, and his most recent role was Chicago’s director of player development. He has never managed at either the major league or minor league level.
Now 36, Kanzler is the youngest full-time manager in Mariners history and the franchise’s 22nd manager overall. Among current MLB managers, only Washington Nationals manager Blake Butera, 34, is younger.
He takes over after Dan Wilson, with Seattle coming off a 76-86 season in 2026 that ended without a playoff berth. That followed a 2025 run in which the Mariners came within eight outs of their first World Series appearance.
The Mariners are still the only active MLB franchise that has never reached the Fall Classic, and Kanzler inherits a club trying to get back into postseason position in 2027.
In Other News...
Yordan Alvarez Just Entered Rare Astros Company
Yordan Alvarezs season has already put him in some of the rarest air an Astros hitter can reach. After leading the American League in multiple offensive categories and taking home both the AL and major league batting titles, he has added another layer to a year that has been defined by production at the plate and consistency in the middle of Houstons lineup.
The next milestone now sits on the calendar, with the MVP awards set to be announced Nov. 12 on MLB Network. For Alvarez, the recognition reflects more than just a hot stretch or a strong finish. It puts him in position to join a short list of Astros stars who have drawn this kind of individual attention, with the final verdict still to come. [Read more 🡒]
Astros Manager Search Is Moving Fast Under Randy Flores
The Astros managerial search is already moving at a brisk pace under newly hired general manager Randy Flores, who has full authority over baseball operations and is looking to settle on a manager soon. Among the names in the mix are Rangers bench coach Luis Urueta and Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus, two familiar figures with different paths but the kind of experience teams often sort through when trying to set a new tone in the dugout.
There has also been chatter around other possible candidates, including Albert Pujols, which only adds to the sense that this search could widen before it narrows. For now, though, the clearest sign of where things stand is that Flores is working quickly and keeping the process moving, with the Astros trying to line up the right voice for the next chapter without letting the speculation run ahead of the actual interviews. [Read more 🡒]
Astros Just Sent A Clear Message About Isaac Paredes
Isaac Paredes gave the Astros plenty to like in his first season of real significance in Houston, and the front office responded by keeping the third baseman in place. After a productive 2026 campaign in which he hit .262 with 25 home runs and 94 RBIs, the club chose to pick up his option rather than let the situation linger into the winter, a sign that his bat mattered more than any lingering questions about how he fit defensively.
For Houston, the move also clarifies the infield picture for the near future. Paredes remains under team control through 2027, giving the Astros stability at a premium position while they continue to weigh the full package he brings. There is still a wrinkle attached to the deal, though, and it keeps one more layer of intrigue around a player who is already firmly part of the organizations plans. [Read more 🡒]