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Seattle Mariners: Baldelli exits manager race – AL West roundup
No AL West games were played yesterday, but the Mariners’ manager search shifted, the Astros reshaped their hitting group and Jacob Latz stood out in Texas.
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There were no games played in the AL West yesterday, with all five clubs long done for the season. Off the field, though, the Mariners’ managerial search, the Astros’ front-office reshaping and a Rangers bullpen arm provided the day’s main storylines.
Mariners: Baldelli withdraws, other candidates remain
As relayed by MLB Trade Rumors, Rocco Baldelli is no longer in the running to become the next manager of the Seattle Mariners. The former Twins skipper has withdrawn his name from the search due to “family considerations,” The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reports. MLB Trade Rumors notes that former Astros manager Joe Espada and Cubs director of player development Jason are among the remaining candidates for the job.
MLB Trade Rumors also spotlights Teoscar Hernandez as a potential trade candidate. The piece points out that his uneven 2023 season with the Mariners did not provide a strong platform heading into free agency, leading to a one-year, $23.5MM deal with the Dodgers. According to the outlet, Hernandez chose that shorter-term contract over longer offers with the intent of positioning himself better for his next trip to the market.
Astros: Conner Watson takes over hitting department
Coming off an 81-81 campaign, the Houston Astros continue to tweak their leadership structure. MLB Trade Rumors reports that the club has hired Conner Watson as its new director of hitting. Per Chandler Rome of The Athletic, Watson arrives from the Cleveland Guardians, where he spent the past two seasons as assistant director of hitting development. MLB Trade Rumors frames the move as part of a broader offseason of change in Houston.
Rangers: Jacob Latz shines in a shaky bullpen
In Texas, MLB Trade Rumors takes a closer look at left-hander Jacob Latz’s breakout season for the Rangers, who finished 80-82. The article underscores how underwhelming the Rangers’ bullpen performance was in 2026, combining for a 4.47 ERA, 20.0% strikeout rate, 8.7% walk rate and 39.2% ground-ball rate, with only the walk rate beating league average. Within that context, Latz is highlighted as one of the few clear positives in the relief corps.
The Sacramento Athletics (64-98) and Los Angeles Angels (62-100) were quiet on Monday, both clubs heading into an offseason that will demand answers after rough finishes at the bottom of the AL West.