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Mariners close in on new skipper, AL West roundup
No games in the AL West, but the Mariners’ manager search reaches the finalist stage, the Astros move on from Nelson Velazquez, and the A’s brace for a pivotal offseason.
By the PickALeague Newsroom · Published · Source: PickALeagueSummary written with AI assistance — how we workLire en français →
It was a quiet day on the field in the AL West, with no games on the schedule and the standings frozen in place. Houston still tops the group at 81-81 in a division where every team finished below .500, but several clubs are already making moves that will shape 2027.
Mariners’ managerial search down to two
In Seattle, the search for a new manager appears to be entering its final stage. Adam Jude and Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times report that former Astros skipper Joe Espada and Cubs director of player development Jason Kanzler are the two finalists for the Mariners’ job. The pair are set for in-person interviews on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the report, suggesting a decision could be coming soon.
The reported finalists highlight two very different profiles: an ex-big league manager with Houston experience and a player development executive from Chicago. That mix underlines how the Mariners, who finished 76-86, are weighing both MLB dugout experience and developmental expertise as they look for the right voice to steer a roster that underperformed in 2026.
Astros move on from Nelson Velazquez
In Houston, the first notable roster decision of the offseason came in the outfield. As relayed by MLB Trade Rumors from MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart, the Astros released veteran outfielder Nelson Velazquez. The 27-year-old began the 2026 season in the Cardinals’ system and had his contract selected in late May, ultimately logging a .722 OPS before his stint in Houston came to an end.
Velazquez now plans to pursue opportunities in Asia. His departure slightly thins the Astros’ outfield mix as an 81-81 club looks to retool and push back into true contender status over the winter.
A’s facing pivotal last year in Sacramento
For the Athletics, a challenging rebuild hit another bump. As MLB Trade Rumors notes, the A’s slid from 76 wins in 2025 to a 64-98 record this year, with a wave of injuries and ongoing pitching struggles derailing progress.
New president of baseball operations Taylor Smith is now charged with getting the club back on track heading into its final year in Sacramento. With the rotation still a trouble spot and the broader roster in flux, every offseason move will carry extra weight as the organization tries to regain momentum.
Elsewhere in the division, the Texas Rangers (80-82) and Los Angeles Angels (62-100) stayed off the news radar over the last 24 hours, awaiting their own offseason storylines.