The Philadelphia Phillies have named Gabe Kapler their new manager beating out Dusty Wathan, manager of the team's Triple-AAA affiliate in Lehigh Valley and former Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell for the position.
Kapler, who played in MLB with the Detroit Tigers, Texas Rangers, Colorado Rockies, Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays over 12 seasons, has been the Director of Player Development for the Los Angeles Dodgers since 2014. The team considered him as Don Mattingly's potential successor, but opted for Dave Roberts which has worked out well for them. Kapler does have managerial experience at the minor league level. In 2007, he managed the Greenville Drive, the short season single A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. But following a last place finish, Kapler would return as an active player with the Brewers the following year.
Although the Phillies lost 98 games in 2017, the team surprised many by moving manager Pete Mackanin upstairs after playing .500 ball with the help of newcomers Rhys Hoskins and Nick Williams. Instead of promoting Wathan, Phillies GM Matt Klentak opted to go outside the organization.
While with the Dodgers this year, Kapler came under scrutiny for his treatment of Nick Francona (the son of Terry Francona with whom Kapler would earn a World Series ring in 2004) alleged that Kapler had him fired from the Dodgers for seeking a health assessment from Home Base, a Boston area veterans service organization. Francona served in combat in Afghanistan. MLB cleared Kapler of any wrongdoing, but Francona remains steadfast about Kapler's behavior.
From where I sit the jury is out on Kapler as a manager. I think the Phillies should have stuck with Mackanin, but if they had to make a change it would have been wiser to promote Wathan. I've a feeling the Phillies will remain in the NL East cellar.
No comments:
Post a Comment