Seattle Mariners: How Jason Kanzler Can Address Fans' Biggest Concern

On Wednesday, the Seattle Mariners introduced 36-year-old Jason Kanzler as the team's newest manager. 

Kanzler, who was a former minor league player with the Minnesota Twins, was also a former hitting coach with the Houston Astros organization. He spent the last three years in player development with the Chicago Cubs, running that department. That means he's going from an important office job to the most important field job. The general consensus is that the hire is risky, but comes with big-time upside.

In hearing from fans over the last few days, I've heard a number of different concerns and questions about Kanzler's hiring. While optimistic, fans want to know how equipped he is to handle in-game situations, pitching changes, and bullpen management. And they also want to know how a 36-year-old who didn't play at a high level, and who hasn't managed before, will be able to grab the attention and respect of established veterans on the club like Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodriguez, and Josh Naylor.

I addressed that concern on the most recent edition of the "Refuse to Lose Territory" podcast.

"The number one thing that Jason Kanzler needs to do is earn the trust and respect of the guys in the clubhouse. That is number one.

As much as we wanna complain about X, Y, or Z that happens in game, best, the most important thing for Jason Kanzler is to gain those guys' trust and their respect.

Because the Seattle Mariners' success in 2027 is still going to come down to the players. If Cal Raleigh, and Julio Rodríguez, and Josh Naylor struggle again, then the Seattle Mariners will not be very good, and it will not matter who the manager that's making the bullpen decisions is.

If Jason Kanzler has their respect, has their trust, has their attention, develops a system in which they feel they can succeed, and they're bought in, then I think they have a greater chance for success.

That is the number one thing he has to do. He needs to build systems, show them that he can give them something.

Players want to be coached. Players want to get better, and they will listen to anybody that gives them something. Players will listen and respond to anybody that can help them hit their goals individually and make them a better player individually.

If Jason Kanzler can do that, then they're going to be bought in, and he's going to have their respect. But he has to show them that he can do that.

That is number one."

1) This season, the Boston Red Sox fired an established manager in Alex Cora and replaced him with minor league manager Chad Tracy. The situation is different, of course, in that Tracy had been managing in the minors and had relationships with several Red Sox youngsters, but he didn't have real relationships with veterans like Willson Contreras or Sonny Gray. He was evidently able to gain their respect as well, and the Red Sox went to the playoffs.

2) A handful of years ago, I was working in New England radio and the Boston Celtics hired Kara Lawson as an assistant coach. She had spent 13 years in the WNBA and had worked as a broadcaster, but she had never been an NBA coach. That said, she instantly earned the respect of top Celtics players like Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. If you are able to show that you can help players, they will buy in. That is what Kanzler needs to do.

It's a simple concept, but it's hard to execute. The Mariners clearly have faith that he can do it.