Mariners rumors: Joe Espada was finalist for manager job before hiring Jason Kanzler

With the Seattle Mariners finding a replacement after firing manager Dan Wilson in the form of Jason Kanzler, there was another candidate that was a finalit that had a bevy of managerial experience. As Kanzler’s hire for the Mariners was surprising , the other finalist for the role was Joe Espada. There were two main candidates for Seattle’s open skipper role, with one being Rocco Baldelli, manager of the Minnesota Twins for seven years, but he “removed himself from the interview process,” according to Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic.