Categories: News

It doesn’t appear Phillies will decide on Gabe Kapler’s future Wednesday

Gabe Kapler has managed two seasons for the Phillies. (John Adams/Icon Sportswire)

For at least another day, it doesn’t appear that the Philadelphia Phillies will decide on the future of manager Gabe Kapler.

Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia says that he’s “not expecting any announcement or resolution to Phillies personnel matters today.” First and foremost, that pertains to Kapler, who is under contract for the 2020 season.

Both Salisbury’s wording and the length of time that managing partner John Middleton is taking to weigh the manager’s future makes you wonder if any other structural changes are being considered.

President Andy MacPhail, per Matt Gelb of The Athletic, signed an extension through 2021 during the 2017 season. MacPhail joined the Phillies organization in June of 2015 and officially took over as president after that season. He led the search that culminated in the hiring of general manager Matt Klentak in October of 2015. In the same report, Gelb noted that Klentak received a three-year extension in March through the 2022 season, presumably shortly after he helped sign Bryce Harper to a 13-year deal.

The Phillies are 161-163 in two seasons under Kapler. All indications to this point have pointed to a change at manager being the most likely outcome.

RADIO.COM MLB Insider Jon Heyman said Monday that it’s “more likely than not” that the Phillies move on from Kapler, who is under contract for 2020. Prior to Friday’s Phillies-Miami Marlins game, Salisbury suggested that he thought a managerial change seemed increasingly likely. After the team’s season finale Sunday, MLB.com‘s Todd Zolecki said that “feeling throughout the organization is that a change is likely, but the Phillies might not make an announcement for a few days.”

While it’s unclear exactly what’s going into making decisions on the organization’s future, it’s one of the worst-kept secrets in baseball that Kapler’s future is being debated. If the Phillies ultimately elect to retain Kapler, the guess here is he will receive a contract extension, as opposed to coming back as a lame duck.

MORE FROM PHILLIES NATION

  1. Former Phillie Raul Ibanez Could Be Offseason’s Hottest Managerial Candidate
  2. Phillies Reportedly Considering Moving Jean Segura To Different Position
  3. Andrew McCutchen: ‘We’ll Be Better In 2020, Believe It’
  4. Bryce Harper: We Will Reign Again
  5. Matt Klentak: We Want J.T. Realmuto To Be A Phillie For A ‘Long, Long Time’
  6. Get Ready To Hear The Phillies Connected To 2 Nationals Quite A Bit
  7. Matt Klentak Says Scott Kingery’s Versatility Makes Him ‘Incredibly Valuable’
  8. What Would A Long-Term Deal Look Like For J.T. Realmuto?
  9. Phillies Would Have Interviewed Buck Showalter If Available In 2017, Per Report
  10. Tim Kelly’s 2019 IBWAA Awards Ballot
Share
Tim Kelly

Tim Kelly was the Editorial Director of Phillies Nation from June 2018 through October 2024. You can follow him on social media @TimKellySports.

Get throwback Phillies styles from Shibe Vintage Sports in Center City Philly