What happened: The Seattle Mariners have hired CJ Gillman as their new hitting coach while the front office continues searching for a manager. Gillman previously spent six seasons within the organization as minor league hitting coordinator.

Why it matters: Hiring a hitting coach before naming a manager marks an unconventional offseason sequence in Seattle. The move locks in offensive leadership for a lineup seeking greater consistency heading into 2027.

What to watch: Seattle turns its focus back to its managerial search, with the front office weighing finalists Joe Espada and Jason Kanzler.