New Manager Poll

[Donn Beach]

I don't want them to hire the manager the Astros just fired.

a) They might've fired him, because he's not good. The Astros have generally been a well run organization over the last decade or so. It's not like picking up Bregman who left because of money. This would be picking up their trash.

b) It makes that the storyline. Like Seahawks playing the Chiefs and it was all about Kenneth Walker. Only now it's a division rival. I mean, if they win a bunch of games, that's fine I guess. But, with an entire blank slate and ability to hire anyone, I don't see any reason to sign up for that storyline.

If they knew what they were doing they would be interviewing Vogelbach. He's got ties to the Mariners as former player, plus he just spent a year coaching with one of the best run organizations in the game about to win a World Series on a $140M payroll. I'm half joking.

They fired him because they fired the general manager, they cleaned out the staff so the new GM can have a clean slate. Like I said, it's the same reason Klint Kubiak was available for the Mariners to hire. The Saints fired their HC and then cleaned out his staff including Kubiak. I think that was Kubiak's third firing because of the HC that hired him being fired. If the Seahawks had held Klints being fired against him they probably aren't winning a SB

[DanielVogelbach]

They fired him because they fired the general manager, they cleaned out the staff so the new GM can have a clean slate. Like I said, it's the same reason Klint Kubiak was available for the Mariners to hire. The Saints fired their HC and then cleaned out his staff including Kubiak. I think that was Kubiak's third firing because of the HC that hired him being fired. If the Seahawks had held Klints being fired against him they probably aren't winning a SB

Yeah, I'm not saying 100% the guy sucks or the Astros would've kept him. You're right, he could be excellent per your Kubiak example.

Where the analogy misses, though, is the importance and knowledge required of an offensive coordinator versus the importance and knowledge required of an MLB field manager. I mean literally they could hire someone off this forum and we might be able to win a World Series. An NFL OC must scheme the whole offense, draw up plays, and make all the calls every offensive down on game day. As an MLB manager, you literally fill out a lineup card, change the pitchers out, insert pinch hitters, and talk to the press. That's it.

Klint Kubiak probably had some elements that made him stand out as a great pick. I don't see how that could really be possible with Espada. I'm not saying he's obviously a terrible choice. I'm just saying I would prefer to see them go a different direction than hiring the guy the Astros just fired.

You can make the argument that the Seahawks don't win the Super Bowl without the Kubiak hire, but even that's not really true unless you're saying there was nobody else available with the talent required. And, I think in the Mariners situation there's plenty of candidates that could run the team. I don't think it really matters that much. I think it's more symbolic. They underperformed, so Wilson got canned. An MLB manager can only impact the wins and losses so much. It's not comparable to the NFL, which is the sport where coaching and strategy is the most critical. Football > Basketball > Baseball. (I put soccer and hockey on the same level as basketball) Baseball is by far the sport where the coaching and on-field management matters the least. It's more about the GM and the player roster.

[DanielVogelbach]

I just checked the poll results. Looks like everyone agrees with me on this one. I'm not sure if we're a direct cross-reference of the fan base. But, it just seems like it would be a dumb hire.

[Donn Beach]

I just checked the poll results. Looks like everyone agrees with me on this one. I'm not sure if we're a direct cross-reference of the fan base. But, it just seems like it would be a dumb hire.

the two leading candidates aren't even available anymore lol...pretty scientific poll. The last person I would expect to win a fan poll is the ex Astros manager. I said i wouldn't have a problem with him and i wouldn't. He's a winning manager, has big league coaching experience with the Marlins, Yankees and Astros, worked as bench coach under a couple of winning managers in Hinch and Dusty Baker. Whos available not because he failed as a manager but his boss got fired. The fact is the Astros always seemed a pain in the ass, winning the division when they had been counted out. That's the kind of manager Id like.

[D-train]

[Donn Beach]

I didn't realize they were considered the finalists, they had scheduled interviews. In that case I'm going Espada, don't know much about Kanzler but lets not have another rookie

[D-train]

Its breaking news my friend. No reason you should have known it.

[DanielVogelbach]

The last person I would expect to win a fan poll is the ex Astros manager.

That's exactly my point. There's zero reason to hire a manager the fans don't like. This is baseball. This ain't Xs and Os.

I guess there's the idea that the guy is such a baseball genius they need to snatch him up, and then the fans will warm up to him after the wins start piling up.

My view is that in general, the reason you hire a new manager in the first place is to appease the fans. It's about the optics. 95% of the performance is based on the composition of the roster. Aaron judge can swing the bat under any manager. So, it's mainly a PR move to begin with, so why go with the Astros former manager?

I guess you could say it's high reward. If the guy wins the WS it will be kind of a burn on the Astros. But, it's just a storyline I wouldn't sign up for if I had other options.

So, I guess my vote is for Kanzler, lol.

[Donn Beach]

aren't necessarily the finalists

Joe Espada and Jason Kanzler are getting a closer look in Seattle. Both candidates are scheduled for in-person interviews at T-Mobile Park this week, with ownership, the front office and current coaches participating. Sources have confirmed those plans, while leaving open the possibility of additional candidates.

Joe Espada Would Give the Mariners Experience They Can Examine

Espada spent six seasons as Houston’s bench coach before becoming manager. He also coached third base for the Marlins and Yankees and worked as a scout. His coaching history includes different organizations, responsibilities and perspectives.

For Seattle, that experience has practical value. Espada has already carried the responsibility of coordinating a staff, explaining playing-time decisions and adjusting bullpen plans when the game demands it.

He also has a record the Mariners can interrogate. Houston won two division titles during his three seasons as manager, although the Astros ultimately declined to renew his contract.

Espada’s strongest case is that he could arrive with a clearer understanding of the job’s daily demands. The Mariners still need to establish whether his judgment would improve their dugout.

Jason Kanzler Would Bring a Teacher’s Approach to Seattle

Kanzler’s route is a little more unusual. After playing in Minnesota’s farm system, he became a high school teacher, coached in the Cape Cod League and climbed through Houston’s instructional ranks. He reached Baker’s major league staff and later became the Cubs’ director of player development. He has no managerial experience.

There is baseball substance here, too. Kanzler helped Jeremy Peña make adjustments during Houston’s 2022 championship season. MLB.com credited his contribution when Chicago hired him.

One player’s success cannot establish a managerial philosophy. However, it gives Seattle a reason to dig into how Kanzler identifies a problem, earns a player’s trust and helps turn instruction into performance.

His stated development approach emphasizes individualized goals and shared understanding among players, coaches, support staff and the organization. Sounds like something the Mariners roster desperately needs.

We should want a hitter to understand what he’s working on and the “why” of it all. When a player struggles, the manager should help keep the response coherent. Five people offering five fixes can turn a slump into a committee meeting.

Kanzler’s work overseeing development also gives him experience coordinating people across an organization. Running a major league game would add a completely different pressure. Seattle should demand a convincing plan for his bench coach, pitching collaboration and preparation for decisions that cannot wait until tomorrow’s meeting.

[Donn Beach]

The last person I would expect to win a fan poll is the ex Astros manager.

That's exactly my point. There's zero reason to hire a manager the fans don't like. This is baseball. This ain't Xs and Os.

I guess there's the idea that the guy is such a baseball genius they need to snatch him up, and then the fans will warm up to him after the wins start piling up.

My view is that in general, the reason you hire a new manager in the first place is to appease the fans. It's about the optics. 95% of the performance is based on the composition of the roster. Aaron judge can swing the bat under any manager. So, it's mainly a PR move to begin with, so why go with the Astros former manager?

I guess you could say it's high reward. If the guy wins the WS it will be kind of a burn on the Astros. But, it's just a storyline I wouldn't sign up for if I had other options.

So, I guess my vote is for Kanzler, lol.

I was in total disbelief when the sonics signed Maurice Lucas, that was a shattering experience. I really don't hate much but I hated him. And he was a sonic? But once he started playing for us i couldn't get enough of it. I was a total fan, Maurice kicking ass and taking names as a sonic lol. That changed that whole outlook. Go get the guy you really can't stand, they tend to be winners