Phillies fire Gabe Kapler; what’s next?
After 2 lackluster seasons, Phillies turn the page by firing Kapler
Gabe Kapler’s hiring by the Phillies in October 2017 was met with the kind of reaction usually reserved for Jets’ NFL draft picks:
What? Really? Are you freakin’ kidding me? The accompanying visual was of fans putting their hands on their heads while fighting the urge to pull their hair out.
Two years later, there is some rejoice but mostly relief by a large part of the Phillies fan base after principal owner John Middleton dismissed Kapler after two subpar seasons capped by embarrassingly unwatchable September games.
Kapler’s persona never resonated with Phillies fans. His managerial style infuriated many.
Only the Bryce Harper signing brought people back to Citizens Bank Park.
The Phillies also confirmed the firing of pitching coach Chris Young (to go along with hitting coach John Mallee’s dismissal late in the season), plus the decision not to renew the contracts of head trainer Scott Sheridan and assistant Chris Mudd.
Also, Charlie Manuel returns to a senior adviser’s role, the remaining seven coaches have been offered contracts and GM Matt Klentak isn’t going anywhere.
So, what’s next?
Klentak again will head the managerial search, and it is obvious he can’t go down the same road. He must fight the temptation to take another analytics-heavy, inexperienced, controllable figure and give the Phillies clubhouse the balance it needs.
There needs to be more accountability. There needs to be a stronger, more authoritative voice. There need to be eyes on the numbers with a feel for the game and acknowledgment of the game’s past.
Simply put, the manager needs to be in charge of the on-field product and the GM needs to recognize that his major responsibility is to provide the manager with a cast of players capable of making a deep October run.
Again, balance. Analytics, feel and fundamentals of the game are needed to work in concert. That was not the case the last two years.
So, who should be the candidates?
In house
Dusty Wathan, third-base coach: The former catcher and son of a former player and manager has a strong resume of success in the minor leagues with many of the current Phillies. He was at Double-A Reading for Rhys Hoskins’ breakout season. He was at Triple-A Lehigh Valley when Hoskins dominated that level and was International League MVP. Wathan combines all the facets needed to be a big-league manager, including a refusal to accept subpar effort. He was a finalist two years ago.
Rob Thomson, bench coach : He is a respected baseball mind. The Phillies, every team, needs that no matter the state or direction of the game. He has 28 years of experience in the Yankees organization. Enough said there. The 56-year-old would bring enough sternness and knowledge to the position while recognizing the place of analytics in preparation for games.
Outside candidates (a few)
Buck Showalter: The 63-year-old had a 12-game improvement from his first year to
second with the Yankees. His third season was on its way to being memorable before the strike hit in 1994. He had a 35-game improvement from Year 1 in Arizona to Year 2. He had an 18-game improvement from his first year with the Rangers to the next one and a 24-game step-up in his second full year with the Orioles.
The Phillies need that improvement in 2020, not 2021. Klentak must address the pitching needs in the offseason, and the rest is up to the manager because there is enough talent there otherwise to win now. Showalter won’t be a long-term solution and Klentak must be willing to relinquish a lot of power back to the manager because with Showalter, there is only his voice in the clubhouse and dugout.
Joe Girardi: The 54-year-old was in charge when the Yankees last won a World Series (2009). He also was the manager when clashes arose over the place of analytics in the daily process after the Yankees were stuck in their version of neutral after 2012. Girardi lost that battle after a 91-71 season in 2017. He runs a much tighter ship than Kapler, but not to the level of Showalter. Again, it would take concessions on the part of the front office to get the best out of Girardi.
Mike Scioscia: The suburban Philadelphia native made seven playoff appearances and won a World Series in 19 years with the Angels. He has a stern, no-nonsense style that would be welcomed in a city such as Philadelphia. He often won even though the Angels did not have the most talent.
John Farrell: The 57-yearold won three American League East titles and one World Series in five seasons with the Red Sox. The former major league pitcher would provide added knowledge in the area the Phillies are hurting most.
Weather forecast
It is going to be a toasty next 12 months for Klentak.
Regardless of whom the Phillies select, Klentak is smart enough to know this is his last chance. He whiffed on Kapler. He moved on from Pete Mackanin despite signs of progress from an inferior team. He whiffed on the last two trade deadlines. He whiffed on bringing the necessary starting pitching this season to the major league roster. He wasn’t the one who made sure Bryce Harper was a Phillie. It was John Middleton who recognized the urgency for the sake of the team and the fan base.
It is important that egos and images are pushed aside now to bring in the best candidate to get the Phillies back to the postseason for the first time since 2011.
It is important that the next hire doesn’t leave the fans and the organization Jets green with envy because of those hired by other teams and frustrated by the prospect of another October spent talking about what could have and should have been.