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Mariners step up manager search, AL West roundup
With no AL West games on the schedule, the Seattle Mariners advanced their manager search while the Athletics and Astros made off-field moves.
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There were no AL West games on the schedule yesterday, but it was anything but quiet off the field, with Seattle and Sacramento driving most of the news.
Mariners widen the field in manager hunt
According to MLB Trade Rumors, the Seattle Mariners have been granted permission to interview former Houston Astros manager Joe Espada for their managerial vacancy. The club has been searching for a new skipper since relieving Dan Wilson of his duties after what was described as a bitterly disappointing season. MLB Trade Rumors adds that Rocco Baldelli is also on Seattle’s radar, giving the team another experienced option as it evaluates candidates. Coming off a 76-86 campaign, the Mariners appear intent on finding a fresh voice to steer the clubhouse.
Athletics’ front office search narrows
For the Sacramento Athletics (64-98), the rebuild starts in the front office. MLB Trade Rumors reports that Taylor Smith is currently viewed as the leading candidate to become the new head of the baseball operations department, a role that has been vacant since longtime general manager David Forst was let go on August 7. The outlet notes that the A’s have identified multiple candidates and would ideally land Phillies president of business operations Sam Fuld, though there’s no indication a deal is close.
Maldonado joins Tigers’ staff, ties back to Astros
Former major league catcher Martín Maldonado has lined up his next job in baseball. Per MLB Trade Rumors, he will join the Detroit Tigers as a quality control coach, reuniting with manager A.J. Hinch and former teammate Framber Valdez. While the move is centered in Detroit, it resonates in Houston as well, given Maldonado’s and Valdez’s connections to the Astros (81-81).
The Texas Rangers (80-82) and Los Angeles Angels (62-100) stayed out of the headlines on this quiet day in the standings, but the offseason is just beginning in an AL West where several key positions, on the bench and in the front office, remain unsettled.