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Seattle Mariners Make Shocking Decision with Regards to New Manager
Former Seattle Mariners pitcher Jaime Moyer hugs former Seattle Mariners catcher Dan Wilson prior to the game between the Seattle Mariners and the Houston Astros at Safeco Field in 2013. Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Mariners have shockingly decided to install former catcher Dan Wilson as the team's next manager - and it's a permanent position, not an interim one.

Per Alyssa Charlston of FOX 13 in Seattle:

Jerry Dipoto confirms Dan Wilson is the manager moving forward, not just the interim.
"We've known Dan almost his entire professional career. Walking in the door as an interim-anything doesn't allow you to really lay any groundwork."

Hiring Wilson on an interim basis made some sense given his organizational ties and the fact that he's been a roving instructor and consultant for the organization who knows most of these players fairly well. And he very well might have done enough to get the job full-time over the last six weeks of the season, but this seems like an odd announcement right now.

There's no rush to hire a manager for 2025 right now, but the M's did it anyways. In doing so, they neglected to get a look at in-house candidates like Manny Acta or Kris Negron and also neglected to look at candidates that figure to become available in the offseason. Current Miami Marlins skipper Skip Schumaker would fall into that group.

Though Wilson has never managed a professional team full-team, let's not act like there isn't precedent for this. Aaron Boone was brought right out of the broadcast booth at ESPN and given the job with the New York Yankees and JJ Redick just took the head coaching job with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Wilson's tenure begins on Friday night against the San Francisco Giants. Here's what he had to say in a team-issued press release:

“I appreciate the faith that Jerry, Justin and the Mariners organization have placed in me” Wilson said, “and I’m eager to get to work. I believe this team is capable of playing great baseball this season and look forward to the opportunity to work with this group of players and coaches.”

RELATED SEATTLE MARINERS CONTENT:

NEW PODCAST IS OUT: The latest episode of the "Refuse to Lose" podcast is out as Brady Farkas just talks from the heart about how tough this road trip has been and why this Mariners disappointment hurts just as much or more as all the others. CLICK HERE:

SERVAIS OUT: The Mariners are expected to fire manager Scott Servais after a nine-year run at the helm. CLICK HERE:

TOUGH, BUT NECESSARY: Our own Brady Farkas says that moving on from manager Scott Servais was the right move for the Seattle Mariners, even if it was hard. CLICK HERE:

This article first appeared on Seattle Mariners on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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