The Seattle Mariners considered Houston Astros bench coach Joe Espada as a finalist for their managerial vacancy before ultimately hiring Jason Kanzler for the role, according to a report published on November 3, 2026.
Espada, who has been on the Astros' coaching staff since 2018, was among the candidates interviewed for the position. The Mariners instead opted for Kanzler, finalizing the hiring after their search process.
