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Mariners Hiring Jason Kanzler as New Manager
The Seattle Mariners are hiring former Chicago Cubs' director of player development Jason Kanzler as their new manager, a source told Alden Gonzalez of ESPN. Houston Astros manager Joe Espada had been among the finalists to land the job in Seattle, but it will instead go to Kanzler in an unconventional move by the Mariners. Kanzler, 36, will be replacing Dan Wilson after he was fired following the team's disappointing 2026 season. Kanzler has never managed at any level, but he will be inheriting one of the league's deepest, most talented rosters. Seattle has stars in outfielder Julio Rodriguez and catcher Cal Raleigh, not to mention some of the best starting-pitching depth in baseball. Kanzler is a former outfielder who was drafted in the 20th round in 2013. He previously spent five years with the Houston Astros, serving as a major-league coach in 2022 and 2023. He was hired by the Cubs as their director of player development at the start of the 2024 campaign. Kanzler will be the third skipper to serve under general manager Jerry Dipoto, who was brought in near the end of the 2015 season.
Source: ESPN.com - Alden Gonzalez
Source: ESPN.com - Alden Gonzalez
Mariners Exercise 2027 Club Option on Andres Munoz
The Seattle Mariners announced on Thursday that they exercised their $9 million 2027 club option on right-handed closer Andres Munoz. The 27-year-old agreed to a four-year, $7.5 million contract with the Mariners in December of 2021 that included three club options. He was an All-Star in both 2024 and 2025 and had a $7 million salary this year under the first option while going 5-6 with a career-worst 4.24 ERA, 28 saves in 38 chances, and 89 strikeouts in 57 1/3 innings pitched. Seattle has a $10 million option for 2028 that would increase by $250,000 each for 20, 30, 40, and 45 games finished in 2027. Despite Munoz's not-so-great 2026 campaign, he will open the 2027 season as Seattle's primary closer after saving 101 games for the team since the start of the 2023 campaign. Although Munoz had a career-high 4.24 ERA (3.35 FIP) in 2026, he still managed a strong 37.1% strikeout rate in his seventh year in the big leagues and should remain a coveted closing option in fantasy baseball leagues going into next season without much competition in the ninth inning.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Rocco Baldelli Withdraws From Mariners' Managerial Search
Los Angeles Dodgers special assistant Rocco Baldelli has withdrawn from the search for a new Seattle Mariners manager, according to a report from The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. Rosenthal reports that Baldelli has cited "family considerations" in withdrawing his name from consideration for the Mariners' open position. Baldelli currently serves as a special assistant to the president of baseball operations with the Dodgers. He was previously the manager of the Minnesota Twins from 2019 to 2025 and was the American League Manager of the Year in 2019 and won three AL Central division titles.
Source: The Athletic, Ken Rosenthal
Source: The Athletic, Ken Rosenthal
Andres Munoz's 2027 Option Likely to be Picked Up by the M's
MLB.com's Mark Feinsand writes that right-handed reliever Andres Munoz's $8 million club option for the 2027 season seems likely to be picked up, as he remains a key piece of their bullpen. Munoz was an All-Star closer for the Mariners in both 2024 and 2025, but he struggled this past season, converting only 24 of his 32 save chances while posting a 4.28 ERA. The 27-year-old Mexican hurler also went 5-6 in his seventh year in the majors with a 1.22 WHIP with 89 strikeouts, and 24 walks in 57 1/3 innings pitched in his 61 total appearances. To top things off in 2026, the M's placed Munoz on the 15-day injured list to end his season early at the end of September with inflammation in his right knee. He should be fully recovered from that injury to start spring training next year, and he should be a lock to open the 2027 campaign as Seattle's primary closer unless he gets injured or really struggles in spring training. Munoz had 22 saves in 2024 and then followed it up with a career-high 38 saves and a 1.73 ERA in 64 relief appearances in 2025.
Source: MLB.com - Mark Feinsand
Source: MLB.com - Mark Feinsand
Managerial Candidates Emerging For Mariners Job
According to The Athletic's Chandler Rome, two former members of the Houston Astros staff -- Joe Espada and Jason Kanzler -- have emerged as serious candidates in the search for a new Seattle Mariners manager. Kanzler was on the Astros' 2022 staff and is now the Cubs farm director. And The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal added that Rocco Baldelli, the Dodgers' special assistant, is also in the mix for the Mariners job. The Mariners finished 76-86 overall and in third place in the AL West behind the Houston Astros, who finished with an 81-81 record to win the division. The Astros parted ways with Espada this offseason after the team lost to the Chicago White Sox in the postseason.
Source: Chandler Rome, The Athletic
Source: Chandler Rome, The Athletic
Joe Espada Set to Interview for Mariners Manager Job
The Seattle Mariners are set to interview current Houston Astros manager Joe Espada for their managerial vacancy, per Chandler Rome of The Athletic. While Espada is currently employed by Houston, Rome reports that his future with the organization is "in doubt" as his contract expires at the end of October. Espada has been the manager of the Astros since the start of the 2024 season. Houston has reached the playoffs twice under his watch, but they've failed to win a postseason game and have also seen their regular-season record get worse every year. The Mariners parted ways with former manager Dan Wilson shortly after the conclusion of the 2026 season. Seattle won just 76 games this year, but the team has plenty of returning talent. If Espada gets the Mariners job, he will be under pressure to win immediately in Seattle.
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Source: The Athletic - Chandler Rome
Andres Munoz Goes to 15-Day Injured List
Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Andres Munoz (knee) was placed on the 15-day Injured List on Friday, Ryan Divish reports. Munoz hasn't pitched since Sunday and now goes to the shelf due to right knee inflammation. His inconsistent 2026 season will now come to an end with a few games left in the regular season. He'll finish the season with a 4.24 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and an 89/24 K/BB ratio with 28 saves across 57.2 innings of work. The expectation is that Jose A. Ferrer and Seranthony Dominguez will work in save situations over the final few days of the regular season. Fantasy managers should expect Munoz to be back in the closer role and fully healthy for the start of next season.
Source: Ryan Divish
Source: Ryan Divish
Andres Munoz Avoids Major Injury, Could Be Available on Tuesday
Seattle Mariners closer Andres Munoz (knee) "should be ok" and could be available to his team on Tuesday night after undergoing an MRI on his injured knee, per Shannon Drayer of Seattle Sports 710. Munoz was pulled from his most recent appearance on Sunday after tweaking his right knee, but he appears to have avoided serious injury. It's been a disappointing year overall for the 27-year-old, who has recorded a 4.24 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 89 strikeouts, and 28 saves across 57 1/3 innings (61 games). Munoz has struggled with home runs (1.41 HR/9) and has blown a career-high 10 saves. However, the hard-throwing right-hander is still averaging 99.7 miles per hour on his fastball and has logged an elite 37.1% strikeout rate. Heading into 2027, Munoz could be an excellent buy-low candidate for fantasy managers.
Source: Seattle Sports 710 - Shannon Drayer
Source: Seattle Sports 710 - Shannon Drayer
Andres Munoz Headed for Imaging on Right Knee
Seattle Mariners closer Andres Munoz (knee) tweaked his right knee during his team's 2-1 win over the Colorado Rockies on Sunday and will undergo imaging on Monday, per Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times. Munoz allowed a hit, a walk, and an earned run across 1/3 of an inning before being removed from the game. It's been a disappointing year for Munoz, who has pitched to a 4.24 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with 10 blown saves across 57 1/3 innings (61 games). Munoz's underlying metrics suggest he's pitched better than his results, as he's logged an outstanding 37.6% strikeout rate and a 3.06 FIP. However, Munoz has allowed an elevated batting average on balls in play (.319) and HR/9 (1.41), and could now be looking at missed time. If Munoz is sidelined, Mariners left-hander Jose A. Ferrer and right-hander Seranthony Dominguez could both see save opportunities for Seattle.
Source: Seattle Times - Ryan Divish
Source: Seattle Times - Ryan Divish
Andres Munoz's Home Run Issues Continue to Inflate His ERA
Seattle Mariners closer Andres Munoz has had a down year in 2026, recording a 4.25 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP with 86 strikeouts across 55 innings (58 games). Munoz's underlying numbers remain very strong, as he's averaged 99.7 miles per hour on his fastball and has posted an elite 37.4% strikeout rate. However, the 27-year-old's HR/9 has skyrocketed to 1.31, and he's blown a career-worst 10 saves. Between his issues with command (10% walk rate) and his penchant for giving up the long ball, Munoz has been prone to blow-up outings in 2026. His most recent appearance on Sunday was one such outing, as he allowed two earned runs across 2/3 of an inning to take the loss against the Athletics. Munoz remains a must-start closer for fantasy managers, but he never quite discovered his peak form this season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Matt Brash Shut Down for the Season After Setback
According to Ryan Divish, Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Matt Brash (lat) will be shut down from throwing for the next eight weeks. The Mariners are doing this after a recent MRI revealed more inflammation in his lat. Brash was ramping up towards a return in late August, but unfortunately, he suffered a setback. When healthy, Brash has been a stud, but keeping him on the mound has been extremely difficult for the Mariners. He'll finish the season with a 0.54 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, and a 15/6 K/BB ratio across 20 appearances. The expectation is that the 28-year-old will be ready to go for the 2027 season.
Source: Ryan Divish
Source: Ryan Divish
Seranthony Dominguez Traded to the Mariners
The Chicago White Sox traded reliever Seranthony Dominguez, outfielder Nolan Jones, and catcher Boston Smith to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for right-hander Luis Castillo, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. Dominguez signed a two-year, $20 million contract with the White Sox this offseason to be the team's closer. He struggled as the team's closer earlier in the season, converting just 12 of 17 save opportunities and eventually lost the job to Grant Taylor and Sean Newcomb in June. The 31-year-old owns a 3.99 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and 47 strikeouts across 38 1/3 innings. With Andres Munoz locked in as Seattle's closer, Dominguez will be used mostly in leverage situations. Fantasy managers can move on from Dominguez outside leagues that reward saves and holds, as he is third in the pecking order for save chances behind Munoz and Jose A. Ferrer.
Source: Jeff Passan of ESPN
Source: Jeff Passan of ESPN
Andres Munoz Regaining Form, Emerging as Second-Half Fantasy Target
Seattle Mariners right-hander Andres Munoz has built positive momentum entering the second half of the season after overcoming a difficult start. Over his last 30 appearances, Munoz has posted a 2.86 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP, looking much more like the All-Star reliever fantasy managers saw in 2024 and 2025. His season numbers have improved to a 3.96 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP, putting him in position for a strong second half. Munoz has consistently shown the ability to dominate hitters with his elite arsenal, and his recent stretch suggests he is returning to that level. Fantasy managers should remain confident in the 27-year-old as a high-upside reliever for the remainder of the season.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Luis Castillo Allows Five Runs in Long-Relief Role, a Safe Cut in All Formats?
Seattle Mariners right-hander Luis Castillo entered his team's game against the Boston Red Sox on Friday night in the sixth inning and struggled, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits across four innings of work. The 33-year-old has generally pitched better since being moved from the rotation into a hybrid starter/reliever role, as he had allowed just six earned runs with 22 strikeouts across 23 innings (five appearances) since the switch leading into Friday. However, Castillo's overall line for the year remains ugly. Across 70 2/3 innings, he's recorded a 2-6 record with a 5.22 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and 69 strikeouts. At this point, Castillo appears to be the clear odd man out in a Seattle rotation that includes Bryan Woo, Logan Gilbert, George Kirby, Bryce Miller, and Emerson Hancock. Barring an injury to one of the Mariners' top arms, Castillo is likely safe to drop in most fantasy formats.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Andres Munoz Bounces-Back on Wednesday to Earn 11th Save
Mariners right-hander Andres Munoz delivered a clean inning of work on Tuesday to pick up his 11th save of the season, working around a hit and striking out one. The 27-year-old has struggled recently, posting a 9.53 ERA across his last seven appearances and blowing two save opportunities during that stretch. His season numbers now sit at a 5.68 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, and 38 strikeouts across 25 1/3 innings. The strikeout ability and electric arsenal that made Munoz a dominant ninth-inning option remain intact, but consistency will be key moving forward. The closer role is still his to lose, and fantasy managers should continue to monitor the right-hander closely.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
