Chicago Cubs news Thursday, November 5, 2026

No. 1 in the 30-second version

Mariners reportedly name Jason Kanzler as manager, according to a report from Daniel Kramer.

The Bleed Cubbie Blue roundup also covers MLB's proposal to phase in the salary cap and floor in 2028, which the league says would raise payroll for 12 clubs. The roundup also notes FanGraphs' top 50 free agents for 2027 and labor tension between MLB and the MLBPA.

Source: Bleed Cubbie Blue

No. 3 in the 30-second version

Mariners name Jason Kanzler manager, a former Cubs player development director with no managerial experience.

Kanzler, 36, becomes the 19th full-time manager in Mariners history and the 22nd overall since the club began in 1977, replacing Dan Wilson, who was fired this fall. General manager Justin Hollander said Kanzler's personality and analytics-forward background made him the obvious choice. Kanzler went unrecruited out of high school, became a walk-on outfielder at Buffalo, and taught high school physics and chemistry in Katy, Texas. He joined the Astros as a minor league hitting coach in 2019 and most recently was director of player development with the Cubs.

Sources: NBC Sports · MLB.com · ESPN · CBS Sports

Bleed Cubbie Blue argues the Cubs should not chase free agent Tarik Skubal, even if they could afford him.

It’s that time of year again, with the 2026 season in the books. Free agent season! Only this year, it’s different, because only a few weeks from now, MLB owners are likely going to lock out MLB players and all transactions, along with everything else in MLB, will stop.

Source: Bleed Cubbie Blue

No. 2 in the 30-second version

Albert Pujols reportedly will interview for the Houston Astros managerial job this week.

Brad Ausmus, the New York Yankees bench coach and a former Astros catcher, is also a candidate, according to the AP. Houston is replacing Joe Espada, whose contract was not renewed after the Astros went 81-81 to win the AL West and were swept by the Chicago White Sox in the Wild Card Series. Pujols managed the Dominican Republic to third place at the 2026 World Baseball Classic and has not managed in the majors. The Astros recently hired Randy Flores as general manager, and he and Pujols were teammates with the Cardinals.

Sources: NBC Sports · MLB.com · ESPN · Yahoo Sports

Athletics hire Brewers executive Cam Castro as general manager under new president Taylor Smith.

Castro was the Brewers' senior vice president of player development and performance, and he rose through their pitching development system over seven years. He will work under Taylor Smith, 31, who was hired last month as president of baseball operations. The A's went 64-98 in 2026, and their pitchers allowed a franchise-record 247 home runs, according to USA TODAY. The club plays one more season in West Sacramento before moving to Las Vegas in 2028.

Sources: ESPN · USA TODAY Sports · MLB.com · Yahoo Sports

Mets hire former catcher A.J. Ellis as major-league strategy coordinator, per multiple reports.

SNY's Chelsea Janes confirmed the hire, and the New York Post's Mike Puma reported a source confirmed it. Ellis, 45, spent 11 seasons as a catcher and had been a special assistant in the Padres front office since 2019, and he is expected to contribute to pitch-calling and game-planning. The Mets have also promoted Mariano Duncan and have yet to name a replacement for hitting director Jeff Albert.

Sources: SNY · NY Post Sports · Amazin' Avenue

Reds hire Guardians assistant pitching coach Joe Torres as their new major league pitching coach.

ESPN reports Torres spent the past five seasons as Cleveland's assistant pitching coach. Torres replaces Derek Johnson, who was relieved of duties at season's end after being absent for the final three-plus months of 2026, according to SB Nation and Red Reporter, which are fan sites citing the Reds' announcement. Torres, 44, was a first-round pick of the Angels in 2000 but never reached the majors.

Sources: ESPN · Red Reporter

Yankees Triple-A manager Shelley Duncan reportedly joins the Red Sox big league staff.

Duncan managed the Yankees' Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre affiliate for the past four seasons, and the Red Sox hire was first reported by MassLive, according to the NY Post. Duncan will join manager Chad Tracy's staff, and SB Nation, a fan blog, says the role is still to be determined and speculates on a first or third base coaching job. Duncan's contract had been expiring.

Sources: NY Post Sports · Pinstripe Alley