Seattle Mariners Managerial Search Picking up Steam

There's been much speculation on the Seattle Mariners' managerial search, how expansive it would be and who all would be included for it.

On Tuesday, the first public candidate beyond speculation was officially linked to the Mariners.

According to a collective report from MLB.com's Daniel Kramer, Mark Feinsand and Brian McTaggert, Seattle has been granted permission to interview current Houston Astros manager, Joe Espada, for the team's current open position.

Espada has been with the Astros, the Mariners' archrivals, since 2018. He was originally hired as the bench coach but was promoted to the team's manager ahead of the 2024 season.

In his three years as Houston's skipper, Espada has led the team to two division titles and has finished no lower than second place in the American League West, but hasn't advanced past the wild card round. Including his time as the team's bench coach, the Astros have won three American League pennants and seven division titles.

According to Feinsand, McTaggert and Kramer's collective report, Espada's current contract with Houston is set to expire at the end of October.

The interview is set to be a virtual meeting, per an article from Seattle Times reporter Adam Jude.

Jude's reporting also highlighted how extensive and a potential timeline for when the M's are looking to find a new manager.

Per the report, Seattle's initial list of new skippers included up to 40 potential candidates. The team is yet to schedule any in-person meetings and "would like" to find a new skipper by Halloween (Oct. 31), per Jude's report.

In his end-of-season news scrum, Mariners president of baseball operation said the team would be going outside the organization to find its new manager and that, while managerial experience wasn't a prerequisite, it would be preferred.

Espada would be an interesting candidate, both for his experience with Seattle's biggest rivals, and for his experience salvaging seasons from the brink. Both seasons he won the AL West as a manager, he had to overcome a multi-game lead from (ironically) the Mariners.

Dipoto also talked about needing a culture reset within the organization and finding a manager who would bring new ideas and perspectives to the club. Not only would Espada fit both criteria, he could also provide some insight on how one of Seattle's most oft-played opponents scouted and planned against the team, which could help the Marinerrs make necessary adjustments and changes going into 2027.