Mariners Reportedly Targeting 4 Managers With Championship Pedigree

Following the departure of Dan Wilson, the Seattle Mariners are doing their due diligence as they search outside the organization for their next manager.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Mariners are "casting a wide net" of candidates that includes a mixture of former managers.

The organization is prioritizing managerial experience as a key component of what they’re looking for in their next skipper.

In the wake of Wilson’s departure, ownership seems intent on finding stability in the dugout.

To do so, the Mariners would have to break a long-running organizational trend.

They haven't hired a manager with prior major league experience since Lloyd McClendon in 2013, a tenure that lasted just two seasons.

Here are some of the candidates Seattle is reportedly considering: As things stand, Espada could be a frontrunner for the job.

The Mariners have already received permission to speak with Espada, whose contract is expiring following the Astros' Wild Card loss to the Chicago White Sox.

If the Mariners can poach Espada from an in-division rival, it wouldn't be without precedent.

The Chicago Cubs pulled off a similar maneuver when they lured Craig Counsell away from the Milwaukee Brewers in 2023.

Espada brings strong experience, having won the 2022 World Series as the Astros' bench coach under Dusty Baker.

Over the past three seasons as Houston's manager, he compiled a 256–229 record along with two AL West division titles.

With former managers on the Mariners' radar, they are showing interest in ex-Minnesota Twins skipper Rocco Baldelli.

After being let go by the Twins following the 2025 season, he spent this season with the Los Angeles Dodgers as an executive in baseball operations.