Mariners Add Tanner Swanson as New Bench Coach Under Jason Kanzler

Swanson Joins Seattle Staff

The Seattle Mariners are making another addition to their dugout by hiring Tanner Swanson as bench coach. This move comes just two days after the franchise formally introduced Jason Kanzler as their new manager.

Swanson is a native of Washington state. He comes to the Mariners after spending time with the New York Yankees, where he served as the catching coach and field coordinator.

Developing Catchers and Gaining Experience

Swanson originally joined the Yankees coaching staff ahead of the 2020 season. Before taking that role in New York, he spent three seasons as the minor league catching coordinator for the Minnesota Twins.

He built a strong reputation during his time with the Yankees due to his work with catchers. A clear example of his impact is current starting catcher Austin Wells. Wells came up through the farm system with major questions about whether he could stay behind the plate, but he went on to establish himself as a premier defensive catcher.

Swanson also added to his coaching background on the international stage. He worked as the bench coach for Great Britain during the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Managing Experience and Managerial Pairing

Swanson even got a chance to manage a major league game this past summer. In July, he stepped in as the acting manager for the Yankees during a matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays. That situation happened after manager Aaron Boone and bench coach Brad Ausmus were both ejected from the game.

That experience could prove useful as he pairs up with Kanzler in Seattle. Kanzler, who is 36 years old, has never managed at any level before taking the Mariners job. He previously served as the director of player development for the Chicago Cubs. Kanzler was selected to replace Dan Wilson, the former longtime catcher who was let go following a disastrous 2026 season for the team.