Mariners look forward and back in current coaching staff hires

The Seattle Mariners have officially hired bench coach Tanner Swanson and hitting coach CJ Gillman to join newly appointed manager Jason Kanzler. The appointments continue a strategic shift toward hiring younger, development-focused coaching talent. Writer Kate Preusser highlights how these moves reflect an organizational push to return to the innovative, non-traditional hiring philosophy that previously built up the club's farm system.

Mariners executives Jerry Dipoto and Justin Hollander emphasized the need to bridge the disconnect between minor-league player development and major-league execution. Preusser notes that by hiring Kanzler, Gillman, and Swanson, the front office is aiming to restore strong organizational connectivity and better relate to modern players following performance concerns during the 2026 season.