One day after Dan Wilson said at an emotional press conference that he will not return as the Seattle Mariners‘ manager in 2027, four coaches received pink slips in a much more terse fashion.
Bench coach Manny Acta, infield coach Perry Hill, hitting coach Kevin Seitzer and first-base coach Eric Young Jr. won’t return, the Mariners announced in a press release Monday, Sept. 28.
“I will always have the utmost respect and appreciation for these men, each of whom made meaningful contributions to our team,” president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto said in a statement released by the team. “After much reflection, we have determined that significant changes are required as we look toward 2027 and beyond.”
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Mariners miss opportunity in putrid AL West
One year after reaching the American League Championship Series for the first time as a franchise — and beginning the season with hopes of going even farther in 2026 — the Mariners went 76-86 and missed the MLB postseason altogether.
Even more remarkable: the Mariners play in what was historically the worst division in baseball history. No American League West team finished with a winning record. The Houston Astros clinched the division title Sunday, the final day of the regular season, with an 81-81 record.
The Mariners attached the names of Dipoto and general manager Justin Hollander to the announcement. That suggests the franchise will spare both men from the Seattle housecleaning.
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For now at least, 10 coaches who began the season on Wilson’s staff appear to be safe, including senior director of hitting strategy Edgar Martinez, pitching coach Pete Woodworth, assistant pitching coach Danny Farquhar and third-base coach Carlos Cardoza.
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