Mariners manager search advances as new reported candidate emerges

Carlos Mendoza withdrew and joined Philadelphia’s staff. Joe Espada, Rocco Baldelli and Cubs player-development director Jason Kanzler remain reported candidates, but there are no formal finalists, confirmed Kanzler interview, offer or hire; Kanzler’s contact may have been exploratory. Stephen Vogt has ruled out leaving Cleveland and was never contacted by Seattle. Recent coverage calls the opening MLB’s best, while Buster Olney warns an inexperienced hire could be perceived as a front-office proxy; neither provides concrete hiring news. Mike Rizzo is speculation, not a reported target.