Phillies Fire Manager Gabe Kapler after Another Postseason Miss

Gabe Kapler. Photo by Chris Szagola/CSM/Shutterstock

Philadelphia Phillies decided to join the already-long list of MLB teams who will be looking for a new manager in the offseason. Phillies announced on Thursday that they have decided to fire manager Gabe Kapler. This comes after the team finished 81-81 and missed the postseason for the eighth straight year.

Kapler joined Phillies in 2017, and manage to compile 161-163 record in the past two seasons. He became Philadelphia’s third manager in a row that was fired before he could get to the third season after Pete Mackanin and Ryne Sandberg.

Besides Kapler, several other members of the coaching staff, including pitching coach Chris Young and head athletic trainer Scott Sheridan will leave the organization as well.

“Several years ago, I promised our loyal fans that I would do everything in my power to bring a world championship team to our city,” – said Phillies’ owner John Middleton. “I will never waver from that commitment. … I have decided that some changes are necessary to achieve our ultimate objective. Consequently, we will replace our manager.”

According to ESPN, Philadelphia Phillies already reached out to a number of candidates for the vacant managerial position. Former Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter and former New York Yankees’ manager Joe Girardi already had talks with the team, while Joe Maddon, who was recently fired by Chicago Cubs, is also considered to be a strong candidate.

Gabe Kapler, on the other hand, may not have to wait too long to get another job. According to reports, Kapler might be on the shortlist to be the next manager of San Francisco Giants. He and Giants’ head of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi previously worked together with the LA Dodgers organization.