What happened: Seattle Mariners manager Jason Kanzler addressed his past ties to the Houston Astros during his introductory press conference on Wednesday. Kanzler, recently hired as manager, reflected on his experiences visiting Seattle as a member of the Astros coaching staff. During the session, he jokingly referred to Houston as 'the team that shall not be named' while discussing his shift across the division.

Why it matters: The comments highlight the division rivalry between Seattle and Houston as the Mariners transition under new dugout leadership. Kanzler moves directly from an Astros staff that frequently battled Seattle for AL West supremacy into the role of guiding the Mariners' established core. Setting a competitive tone early underscores Seattle's push to overtake Houston at the top of the division.

What to watch: Kanzler and the Mariners front office will turn their attention to constructing his coaching staff and addressing roster needs ahead of the winter meetings.