Phillies fire manager Gabe Kapler after two seasons

The Phillies have finally made a decision on manager Gabe Kapler

The Phillies will not bring manager Gabe Kapler back for a third season.

Kapler, who finishes with a 161-163 record as Philadelphia’s manager, was forced to wait over a week for the decision after Owner John Middleton sought the opinions of players and those outside Citizens Bank Park.

Middleton, Kapler, and GM Matt Klentak each released statements Thursday afternoon.

The entire Phillies coaching staff, with the exception of pitching coach Chris Young, has been offered an opportunity to return in 2020.

Ultimately the decision is far from surprising and one unfortunately celebrated by the fanbase. Kapler was a wide-criticized manager from day one, fighting those who believed he weighed numbers over the feel of the game, and was too “soft” on his players publically.

Now, the attention turns to who will be the organization’s fifth manager since Charlie Manuel was fired in 2013. The organization is expected to change course and find a manager with experience, and ther are several qualified candidates available.

Unfortunately, the front office appears to be behind the 8-ball in their public search for a new manager with the Angels already securing an interview with Joe Maddon.

Joe Girardi would be just the second manager in baseball history to manage the team he beat in the World Series. His former bench coach Rob Thompson is already in Philadelphia in the same role, making the transition from TV to the bench smoother for Girardi.

Former Orioles manager Buck Showalter, a hot name in the manager carousel, was hired by Phillies president Andy MacPhail to manage the Orioles.

Mike Scioscia is from the Philadelphia area, but he clashed with an Angels front office that included Phillies general manager Matt Klentak when it came to analytics.

Former Red Sox manager John Farrell was a finalist for the Phillies job the year Kapler was hired, and former Blue Jays manager John Gibbons is available.

Before Kapler was hired, I advocated for former Texas Rangers manager and current Braves coach Ron Washington.

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