As I told you on Tuesday, I believe the manager that the Seattle Mariners hire this offseason to replace Dan Wilson is the biggest decision the franchise has made since the 2018 roster tear down.

I truly believe that if the Mariners get this right, they can enjoy a half-decade or so of prosperity in the American League West, reveling in the prime years of Julio Rodriguez, Kade Anderson, Bryan Woo, Cal Raleigh, Josh Naylor, Cole Young and Colt Emerson.

If they get this wrong? They look at wasting some of those primes, and in some cases, they could be forced to trade guys away to undo things down the road.

It feels that big to me. As a result, I've compiled a list of three things the Mariners should be avoiding in their search.

I've seen this song and dance before. I'm not saying it can't work, I'm saying it doesn't work quickly, and the Mariners have the urgency to get things right quickly.

Rick Pitino didn't work in the NBA and Nick Saban didn't work in the NFL. Tony Vitello hasn't worked with the San Francisco Giants.

I'm out.

I believe this hire is so important that it requires someone with professional coaching experience. I'm not saying you have to have been a big league manager before, but have you managed? Have you been on a big league staff before? Have you worked your way up through the minor leagues?

If you have, I'll gladly take your call. But if you haven't? I'm going to pass. That means no players who just got off the field and that means no guys who have been solely in the front office or in organizational advisory roles.

Sorry Raul Ibanez, that means you too.

*I will say this: Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina have managed on the Caribbean Winter Ball circuit, and they have World Baseball Classic experience. While not domestic pro experience, I'd listen to them too in an interview setting.

Jerry Dipoto took over the Mariners front office for the 2016 season. I want someone who doesn't have a connection to that time period. While organizational alignment is important, the organization has stressed the importance of new ideas. If we're doing new ideas, let's completely do new ideas.

I'm sure Kris Negron is an excellent coach with a bright future, but he's not new enough.

*I will say this: I'd break my rule for Steven Vogt, the current manager of the Cleveland Guardians. He was with the Mariners in 2023 and has multiple American League Manager of the Year awards. He'd have to be traded for, within reason, but I'd entertain him bringing him in as well, breaking this rule. But he's the only one.