Could Mariners add former Cubs' manager David Ross to their coaching staff?

The Chicago Cubs recently hired former Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsel to be their manager and replace David Ross who had been their manager from 2020-2023. Ross won 262 and lost 284 games in those three seasons with the Cubs. This was a surprise because there was no indication that the Cubs were in play to get Counsel, who is considered to be one of the best managers in baseball.

Now that David Ross is a free agent, could he be a fit on the Seattle Mariners coaching staff?

The Mariners lost their bullpen coach from 2023, Stephen Vogt, to the Cleveland Guardians. Vogt was named the Guardians manager recently, so the Mariners are looking to add someone to their big league coaching staff. David Ross could be an option to fill the bullpen coach role or to fill any spot on their staff because he, like Vogt, is a former catcher who spent most of their career as the "glue guy" or "veteran leader" on the teams they played on. This makes him an ideal candidate for the Mariners.

The Mariners don't have a ton of youth on their coaching staff currently. They have Kristopher Negron who is only 37, but otherwise, they have more established coaches on their staff. Scott Servais is one of the longest-tenured managers in the American League and other coaches like Manny Acta are a part of an established staff. Bringing in the 46-year-old Ross would add a coach who recently was a part of a World Series winning team, the 2016 Cubs.

Having that type of presence around the Mariners should only help the club. Adding that type of leader who is respected so well around the game would be nice to see. He was the veteran leader on that Cubs team that won the World Series with young stars like Kris Bryant and Javier Baez along with more established players like Anthony Rizzo and Aroldis Chapman. He was a beloved leader on that team and adding a coach who can be like that would hopefully boost the Mariners team chemistry in 2024.