Mariners steal Cubs executive, Jed Hoyer underling in surprise offseason move

The Seattle Mariners have found their manager, and it's led to another loss to the Chicago Cubs' front office. The Mariners have hired Cubs' director of player development Jason Kanzler to lead their clubhouse, and it marks the second executive that Jed Hoyer has lost over the past month.

In October, the Baltimore Orioles hired Jared Banner to be their next general manager. Banner was credited for the Cubs addition of Pete Crow-Armstrong, and Kanzler has been hands on with the minor-league system since the 2024 season.

It's an outside-the-box hire for Seattle, considering Kanzler has no managing experience. Though, before his arrival to the Cubs' organization, he was a member of the Houston Astros' major-league coaching staff. Along those lines, Kanzler beat out former Astros manager Joe Espada for the job.

Cubs lose Jason Kanzler to Mariners as Jed Hoyer faces a new challenge

It's been an offseason of change for the front office, considering the losses of Banner and Kanzler. Interestingly enough, heading into the offseason, there was speculation that the biggest loss would be general manager Carter Hawkins. Hawkins had been a rising a candidate over the past year, and it's led to speculation that he's ready to step out from underneath Hoyer. Instead, there's been no mention of Hawkins having any interviews this offseason.

There's only one front office openign that remains, and that's with the Los Angeles Angels. With Stan Kroenke taking ownership control of the Angels later this offseason, interim general manager John Mozeliak has already confirmed that the Angels will have a new president of baseball operations and general manager. As of now, there's been no mention of Hawkins being a candidate, but the search is still in the early stages. It also stands to reason that the Angels would aim higher.

Regardless, the Mariners hiring Kanzler is another loss for Hoyer and the Cubs' front office. That said, it's also an opportunity for the Cubs. The impression is that the Cubs have become stagnant with their player development. Crow-Armstrong is the shining example of what they've done right, but it's still an organization that has failed to have a blue-chip prospect since the days of Kris Bryant, Javier Baez, and Kyle Schwarber.

That could be ont he verge of changing with the ascension of Josiah Hartshorn, but Kanzler's departure does allow for the Cubs to have a new voice in the room.

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