Now that the Philadelphia Phillies have settled their managerial position, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Thursday that the team can focus on the changes to come this offseason. The Phillies considered other options before retaining Don Mattingly, who signed the interim manager to a two-year deal on Wednesday. Mattingly took over after Rob Thomson was fired in April and guided the team to a 79-55 record and a National League Wild Card berth.
"Last year really wasn't my team," Mattingly told reporters on a video call Thursday. "It was Thomps' team. I took over from that point and just kind of just drove the car from there." He added: "I think there are things that I want to do differently."
The Phillies' aging core of Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto, Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola has made five straight playoff appearances and averaged 91 wins per year, but has not won the World Series. Trea Turner regressed in his fourth season with the Phillies, hitting .242 with a .675 OPS and a league-worst 21 errors at shortstop. He still has seven years left on his $300 million contract. Dombrowski said he told Turner he must show in spring training that he can play shortstop or he could move to the outfield.
Changes are already underway. The Phillies reached a $2.75 million deal to bring back lefty reliever Tim Mayza, and Mattingly hired former New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza as his infield and third-base coach. Hitting coach Kevin Long and infield coach Bobby Dickerson are gone. Third baseman Alec Bohm and second baseman Luis Arraez are both eligible for free agency, and prized prospect Aidan Miller is ready to compete for an infield spot.
Source: ESPN MLB · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing