Dodgers Special Assistant, ESPN Analyst Linked to Mariners' Manager Job

The Seattle Mariners weren't especially young, or rebuilding, in 2026.

However, their results on the field made it easy to confuse the 76-86 team for one that needs a hard reset.

The Mariners let go of manager Dan Wilson in September, and a short list of candidates to take over for him emerged in published reports on Tuesday, Oct. 13.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that several high-profile candidates with big league experience — Rocco Baldelli, Brandon Hyde, David Ross and Joe Espada — are among "possible candidates who would fit (president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto's) preference for experience."

MLB.com reported earlier in the day that the Mariners received permission from the Houston Astros to interview Espada, whose team is coming off an 81-81 season that was good enough for first place in the American League West.

It's a rare thing for a sitting manager to leave for a division rival, but Espada will at least get the chance. The other candidates are no less experienced, or intriguing.

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Baldelli is a special assistant to Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman. As the Twins' manager from 2019-25, Baldelli piloted Minnesota to 101 wins in his first season, and led the team to its first postseason round victory in 19 years in 2023.

Ross managed the Chicago Cubs from 2020-24, leading the team to a division title in his first year. Over his 15-year playing career, Ross won World Series rings with the Boston Red Sox in 2013 and the Cubs in 2016. He is currently an analyst on ESPN.

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Hyde skipped directly from the Cubs' 2016 coaching staff to the Baltimore Orioles' manager's chair. In seven seasons in Baltimore, Hyde oversaw a rebuilding effort that culminated in a 101-win season and an American League East title in 2023.

Given the Mariners' ambitions to return to the postseason, and the experience of their roster, their preference for an experienced skipper makes sense.

“We need fresh thought," Dipoto said at his end-of-season news conference. “We need something new. It could be a shift in programming. It could be a shift in messaging. It could be a shift in language. We'll collaborate with whoever our future manager is, and try to find the right person.”

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