The Phillies are cleaning house.
The will not renew the contracts of coaches Sam Perlozzo, Pete Mackanin, and Greg Gross for 2013. That could pave the way for Ryne Sandberg to be promoted to the big league club in an undetermined role. Juan Samel and Rich Dubee are staying with the Phillies, as of now.
Charlie Manuel has stated he will be back in 2013, so look for Sandberg to become the bench coach or hitting coach, preparing him to take over in 2014 as the Phillies new manager.
Back in April I wrote this:
It’s clear the hitting coach has no effect on this team whatsoever. Milt Thompson couldn’t reach them when the demise began, Greg Gross is doing less. Really, they’re in a tough position. Gross doesn’t have the ability to tell players that have been doing it their way for a decade (or more) to change their approach. Would Ryne be able to get through to them and at least help stop this offense from trending downward?
I don’t believe it will help, but perhaps a move like that will show the paying customer that the team is willing to do whatever it can to win. Maybe a Hall of Famer speaking lends more credence than a guy who made his living as a reserve? Hard to say.
I’d like to see Sandberg in time, but I don’t know that the time is now. He’s doing a hell of a job teaching the youngsters and keeping the Iron Pigs as one of the better programs in triple-A. Keep an eye on this.
As for the bunch fired, Perlozzo had been with the Phillies since 2009, Mackanin also since 2009, and Gross since mid-season 2010.
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