New Manager Poll

[DanielVogelbach]

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

That's different, the guy didn't get fired.

Plus a former player has statistics. When a guy is putting up numbers for another team and he goes to your team, that's totally different than hiring the manger the Astros just fired. That would be more akin to signing Bregman. That's fun and exciting. Hiring their discarded manager is not.

Also Maurice Lucas played one season with Sonics averaging 17 minutes per game. The Sonics finished 39-43 that season.

[Donn Beach]

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

That's different, the guy didn't get fired.

Plus a former player has statistics. When a guy is putting up numbers for another team and he goes to your team, that's totally different than hiring the manger the Astros just fired. That would be more akin to signing Bregman. That's fun and exciting. Hiring their discarded manager is not.

Also Maurice Lucas played one season with Sonics averaging 17 minutes per game. The Sonics finished 39-43 that season.

Espada wasn't fired, his contract wasn't renewed. The same situation as Kubiak and the Saints, happens all the time when a team replaces a GM or HC. Nobody views it as a black mark

[GL_Storm]

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

You just got in the way back machine. I was a little kid in Portland when Lucas played for the Blazers Championship team. I remember the city going crazy.

[DanielVogelbach]

Espada wasn't fired, his contract wasn't renewed. The same situation as Kubiak and the Saints, happens all the time when a team replaces a GM or HC. Nobody views it as a black mark

Give me a break. They made a change. Call it what you want. He's not their man. They don't want him. They're going a different direction. Nobody steps down from MLB manager voluntarily. Not renewing a contract is the same as a canning.

[DanielVogelbach]

They fired him because they fired the general manager, they cleaned out the staff so the new GM can have a clean slate.

Espada wasn't fired, his contract wasn't renewed.

Also, it's NOT the same situation as Kubiak per my earlier post.

[Donn Beach]

Fact is managers are fired all the time I don't see the issue

Following the 2026 season, the Astros announced that they would not renew Espada's contract for the 2027 season.

Kubiak was allowed to pursue other opportunities since he was operating under an interim HC. Both were a function of regime change. You think Espada would be a stupid hire, okay. You would prefer Vogelbach to manage the team, okay. Like I keep saying I don't see a problem with Espada

https://youtu.be/j95kNwZw8YY?si=fsWUtthx_9hdqkfD

[GL_Storm]

I think the issue with Espada and the other guy is that we're all willing to believe the worst case scenario, which is that no one wants the M's job and therefore Jerry and co. are being forced to settle on someone that may not be that great. But the reality is we don't have any basis for judging any of these guys one way or the other, and it really isn't clear that the front office decision process is any better. So even if it is true and Espada or whoever they hire isn't their first choice but just someone they sort of settle on, maybe that guy ends up being really good.

[Donn Beach]

I think the issue with Espada and the other guy is that we're all willing to believe the worst case scenario, which is that no one wants the M's job and therefore Jerry and co. are being forced to settle on someone that may not be that great. But the reality is we don't have any basis for judging any of these guys one way or the other, and it really isn't clear that the front office decision process is any better. So even if it is true and Espada or whoever they hire isn't their first choice but just someone they sort of settle on, maybe that guy ends up being really good.

I don't think dipoto is in the position to just settle on someone. His job is on the line. And I've meant to add, I don't think it's like, gee the seasons over, let's think about a new manager. They've known for sometime that Wilson was probably getting replaced. And it's had to dawn on them it's a pretty important decision. They've had to been giving it thought.

That and it's going to come down to money. I agree with the sentiment that it's a good gig. Nobody is going to be concerned about working for dipoto as long as they get paid.

I looked back at the Pinella hire, they paid for that. $2.5 Mil over three seasons. I am guessing that was pretty generous for the time. His wife was against it, said it was too far. But they convinced him. They could always do that again.

[Hy Feiber]

Fact is managers are fired all the time I don't see the issue

Following the 2026 season, the Astros announced that they would not renew Espada's contract for the 2027 season.

Kubiak was allowed to pursue other opportunities since he was operating under an interim HC. Both were a function of regime change. You think Espada would be a stupid hire, okay. You would prefer Vogelbach to manage the team, okay. Like I keep saying I don't see a problem with Espada

https://youtu.be/j95kNwZw8YY?si=fsWUtthx_9hdqkfD

But do you see a solution?

[Hy Feiber]

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.

The top priority in hiring the green guy is that he would kiss Dip’s butt!

I can assume the 38 others would not be sucking up as much.