Phillies manager Pete Mackanin losing the team?

Recent comments lead to questions surrounding the Phillies manager

Pete Mackanin has, in the eyes of many fans, done an adequate job with a young roster going through a rebuilding mode. He gets the most from his players, and from the outside, the players respect how they’re handled, unlike the dictatorial Ryne Sandberg.

After another nauseating loss at home, reliever Joaquin Benoit had some choice words for the people who “run the bullpen.” The 39-year-old believes the ‘pen would be much more successful if they had defined roles, and appeared to be aiming directly at Mackanin.

“I think it’s not just about us. I believe that if we have a set role, everybody will fall in place. Right now I think everybody is a different piece… Right now I believe that it would be better if everybody knows what the role is and when you’re going to contribute.“One day I’m in the seventh, then I was the sixth, then the ninth, then the eighth. Right now I’m all over the place. It’s a little bit consistency. Not just the pitching staff but the people that run it, too.”

In defense of Mackanin, he’s not dealing with the best arms in baseball when the starter needs to be pulled. His leash on players has been extremely short, especially with the closer role.

A bullpen with the 24th best ERA in baseball can’t throw all the blame on the manager, but the comments from a veteran like Benoit are troubling. Is he speaking on behalf of players other than him regarding how Mackanin runs the team?

Phillies executives haven’t picked up the option on Mackanin’s contract, or publicly discussed an extension. Mackanin enters his third year, and second full season, in the manager’s chair of a bad team. His 121-160 record shouldn’t be a reason for dismissal, but comments like Benoit’s draw more questions than answers.

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How Mackanin responds to Benoit’s comments, whether publicly or privately, could mean his next contract with the Phillies.