A new voice will be in the Phillies clubhouse next season
Phillies manager Pete Mackanin will not return to the bench next season, according to a press release from the organization. Mackanin, who signed a contract extension during the season, will remain in the organization as a special assistant to General Manager and Vice President Matt Klentak.
With only a handful of games remaining in the season, Mackanin will retain his job until the final out of the season.
Mackanin, who began his tenure as manager after Ryne Sandberg resigned during the 2015 season, went 172-237 with a rebuilding club. They managed to avoid multiple 100-loss seasons under his reign, but little improvement was seen by the fans and the organization.
Mackanin described by a friend as “shocked.” #Phillies 35-37 since All-Star Game. Were 29-58 at break.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) September 29, 2017
Prior to being named manager Mackanin served as a bench coach and third base coach in Philadelphia, where he played over parts of two seasons. His in-game decision making, lack of accountability with players, and lineup decisions were highly questionable throughout his tenure.
Mackanin’s successor could ultimately come out of the organization and go to a man who sat near him over the past month. Lehigh Valley manager Dusty Wathan has a great relationship with several of the young players coming through the organzation, including Nick Williams, J.P. Crawford, and Rhys Hoskins.
Wathan played just three major league games in his career before going into coaching, and has moved through the organization with the players.
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Third base coach Juan Samuel will also get a look after spending the past couple of seasons with the team. Klentak nearly hired Samuel back in 2015 after Sandberg abruptly retired midseason.