Mariners manager candidate backs out of running for lesser job with Phillies originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Seattle Mariners fired Dan Wilson following the 2026 MLB season, as the year went very wrong, with Seattle failing to make the postseason after coming one win from the World Series last year.
In the AL West, where the Houston Astros went 81-81 to win the division, the Mariners, a team that bought at the trade deadline, finished with a 76-86 record. It was a very disappointing season for Seattle, and they now need a new manager.
According to ESPN's Jorge Castillo, one option, former New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza, was in the running, but withdrew his name to instead take a lesser job with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Mariners lose potential new manager to Phillies in lower role
"Carlos Mendoza was a candidate for the Mariners' managerial job before withdrawing his name to become the Phillies' third base and infield coach, sources told ESPN," Castillo reports.
The Mariners are searching for a new manager, and while they might be an appealing destination in a wide-open division, one of the names connected to them has backed out.
Mendoza, who led the Mets to the playoffs back in 2024, making the NLCS, was fired mid-season amid the Mets' horrible start to the year.
While he's not an overwhelmingly exciting hire, he would've been a decent option for a Mariners team looking for someone who can lead a strong group of players in the right direction.
MORE: How Mets could have advantage over Dodgers in free-agent pursuit of Tarik Skubal
But instead of the Mariners getting to bring in Mendoza as their new manager, the former Mets manager joined the Phillies, but not for a manager role.
He's now coaching the Phillies' infield and manning third-base duties for Don Mattingly on that Phillies team, taking on a lesser role than what the Mariners would've considered him for.
Seattle now has to search for more candidates, and they should make their decision somewhat soon to prepare for what might be an abbreviated offseason due to MLB's looming lockout on December 1.
More MLB news:
- White Sox reportedly have 'no urgency' to sign Munetaka Murakami to an extension
- Brewers' Jacob Misiorowski made MLB playoff history three times with 104+ mph pitches
- Most strikeouts in an MLB Postseason Game: White Sox made dubious history in loss to Guardians
- Reds' $70 million trade mistake is why third base is their biggest roster hole
- Red Sox's top offseason need highlights a big power-hitting problem