The offseason is in full swing and the Philadelphia Phillies are exploring every avenue to improve the club, including potential changes to the coaching staff. Don Mattingly is a name that has been mentioned as an option for the open bench coach role, and recently we learned that Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski is on board with the possible hiring.
During the end-of-year press conference, it was announced that Rob Thomson would return as manager and that the only expected change to the staff would come at the bench coach position. The lone hint provided that day was that the team was looking for someone with managerial experience.
Rumors quickly began to churn and long-time baseball figure Mattingly immediately became an option after he left the American League champion Toronto Blue Jays.
Some speculated that Mattingly might be pursuing another managerial position. But as teams around the league announced their new skippers, the number of available openings shrank, leaving Mattingly with fewer opportunities.
Dave Dombrowski reportedly endorses ideal fit Don Mattingly for Phillies' bench coach job
This presents the perfect opportunity for the Phillies to upgrade their coaching staff, something the organization clearly values. The possibility has become even more realistic as Dombrowski has discussed the opening according to Jim Salisbury, who addressed the Mattingly situation on Sportsradio 94 WIP.
“It’s been seriously discussed by the organization. ... They have talked about it. Dave Dombrowski wants it, from what I have heard," Salisbury said. "That’s his kind of guy.”
Mattingly has been around baseball for decades, including a 14-year playing career with the New York Yankees and a 12-year managerial career, during which he collected 889 wins and won a Manager of the Year award.
Mattingly to the Phillies now stands as a logical offseason rumor. He and Thomson know each other well from their days together with the Yankees. There’s also a family connection: Preston Mattingly, Phillies general manager, is Mattingly’s son. What better place for the two to work together at the major league level?
Last season with the Blue Jays was one Mattingly will always remember, as their trip to the World Series marked the first of his baseball career. He made a clear impact in Toronto, helping the club reach its first World Series since its 1993 victory over the Phillies.
Yes, free agency is open, and so far, it has been a quiet market across baseball. But adding a coach with Mattingly’s experience could be the Phillies’ first significant move of the offseason, strengthening a staff that could use another sharp baseball mind in the dugout.