The Astros have a general manager vacancy. That doesn’t mean the AL West is going to be any easier for the Mariners. After the 2026 season, we’ve seen what happens when the division should have been a layup.

Still, Houston’s search offers Seattle an opportunity…sort of. A division rival is sorting through its leadership while the Mariners have an offseason to bring in a strong manager and strengthen their roster. We can enjoy the uncertainty outside of Seattle. But it’s not like the Mariners have added anything productive yet either.

According to USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale, Houston was interviewing former Nationals executive Mike Rizzo on Monday for its open GM position. Rizzo helped assemble the Washington team that beat the Astros in the 2019 World Series.

There’s a nice bit of baseball irony there. For Seattle, it’s also a reminder that Houston is also spending the winter trying to fix itself.

Rizzo remains a candidate.…