According to a report from Bob Nightengale of USA Today, former Seattle Mariners catcher Austin Nola is back in the organization. He will serve as the team's bullpen coach in 2026.

Catcher Austin Nola, who signed a minor-league contact this winter with Atlanta, has been granted his release to become the Seattle Mariners’ new bullpen coach.

Tony Arnerich had been serving in that role. At this time, it's unclear what will happen to him. It should be noted that the Mariners had two pieces of coaching news on Tuesday: Longtime player development man Andy McKay left the organization for an on-field coaching job with the Cleveland Guardians.

About Austin Nola

Now 35 years old, Austin is the brother of long-time Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola. He spent parts of six seasons in the big leagues with the Mariners, San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies.

A success story for Seattle, he made his major league debut in 2019 at the age of 29 and performed well, hitting .269 with 10 home runs in 79 games. He played 29 games with the Mariners in the COVID 2020 season, blasting five home runs in that time. The Mariners traded him to the Padres in one of the best deals in franchise history. In exchange for Nola, Austin Adams and Dan Altavilla, the Mariners acquired Luis Torrens, Andres Munoz, Ty France and Taylor Trammell.

Munoz is a two-time All-Star while France made an All-Star Game with Seattle as well.

Why this is a good move

Again, we don't know the Arnerich piece to this, so there's more to learn, but on the surface, this is a good move for the Mariners.

As was discussed on the most recent 'Refuse to Lose' podcast:

Austin Nola, is a former catcher, and former catchers who have coaching positions, this is something we have seen for years be a good thing. Catchers are leaders on the field. They are leaders in the clubhouse. They understand the pitching staff. They understand how to talk to pitchers, how pitchers prepare. They know what it takes for a pitcher to get ready...

And look, there's going to be some crossover between Austin Nola and Cal Raleigh.

Cal was in the organization at that point, so there is some knowledge between Nola and Raleigh, some crossover, in which they would have a relationship, so hopefully that translates from what's happening in the bullpen to what's happening on the field and back.

You can listen to the full discussion here:

Andy McKay Leaving + Austin Nola Coming + The A-Rod Talk + @TheJagePage Joins Us Refuse to Lose - a Seattle Mariners Podcast · Episode

What Cal Raleigh says

To our original point above, about Raleigh's prior relationship with Nola being a good thing for the organization: Raleigh joined our podcast during spring training in February. He was asked about players who took him under their wings when he was younger, and he cited Nola specifically. He was also asked about his willingness to help younger players.

I ​look ​back ​and ​there's ​a ​lot ​of ​guys ​that ​helped ​me, like, ​Austin ​Nola ​was ​huge ​for ​me ​my ​first ​couple ​camps. ​Just ​a ​guy ​that ​I ​can ​lean ​on, ​a ​good ​guy ​that ​can ​talk ​baseball, ​​taking ​care ​of ​the ​younger ​guys, ​teaching ​me ​things, ​what ​to ​do, ​what ​not ​to ​do. ​He was ​a ​huge ​one. ​Obviously ​I always ​loved ​Kyle ​Seager. ​He ​was ​always ​good ​to ​me ​as ​well. ​You ​always ​remember ​the ​guys ​that ​were ​good ​to ​you ​and ​the ​guys ​that ​were ​not ​so ​good ​to ​you. ​So you try to give back.

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So again, this can only be a positive thing for the organization. Former catcher Stephen Vogt held this job for the Mariners in 2023, and is now a two-time manager of the year with the Cleveland Guardians.

Related Mariners Stories

LATEST PODCAST IS OUT: Brady Farkas is back for the the latest episode of the Refuse to Lose podcast! He talks about the M's being basically shut out of award season, the coaching changes involving Andy McKay and Austin Nola, and he's joined by popular M's content creator @TheJagePage. Also, we have the Alex Rodriguez conversation, again. CLICK HERE:

SKUBAL MOVE SEEMS UNLIKELY: Bob Nightengale of USA Today recently threw cold water on the idea of the M's - or any team - making a move for the Cy Young winner. CLICK HERE:

M's LOSE MULTIPLE PLAYERS TO FA: Several M's minor leaguers have now hit free agency, including a few previously-valuable contributors. CLICK HERE: 

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