Pete Mackanin Will Not Return As Phillies Manager In 2018

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Phillies manager Pete Mackanin, the man behind the helm since the middle of the 2015 season, will not retain his position heading into the 2018 season.

The announcement comes with just three games remaining in the Phillies season, and just days after Mackanin publicly stated he was uncertain of his future within the organization.

The Phillies did say that Mackanin, 66, would return to the organization next season and into the future as a Special Assistant to the General Manager.

"In my mind, we've reached a turning point in this rebuild," General Manager Matt Klentak said during a press conference Friday afternoon. "It's time to look forward. That's the message today."

Klentak spoke highly of Mackanin, citing his leadership abilities and baseball insights, and that he was happy he'd still be able to rely upon the former manager's advice.

While the Phillies have struggled to a record of 64-95 this year, a year which was, in the very least, expected to be an improvement over their 71-91 mark last year, there have been notable improvements under Mackanin's watch. Numerous young players like Aaron Nola, Rhys Hoskins, Aaron Altherr, Nick Williams, and Jorge Alfaro have solidified their place in the Phillies future with noteworthy performances. Perhaps most importantly, the team has gone 35-37 since the All Star Break, after which many of these aforementioned players were called up.

"I can't sit here and say I'm not disappointed," Mackanin said Friday, but added he glad to be staying on. "This organization has been really good to me. I'd love to see this thing come to fruition."

Mackanin, who has been with the organization for 10 years, managed to a record of 172-237 during his two-plus years in charge. The entirety of that time was amidst what upper-level Phillies management called a complete rebuilding stage. It could be argued that it has only been in the last two months, really, that Mackanin has been given players that had a realistic chance at putting together a winning season.

Klentak said that the Phillies will pursue both internal and external candidates to fill the manager's position, and that the search will begin immediately.

"Our goal will be to identify a leader that can help lead us into the future and take us where we want to go," Klentak said.

The favorite amidst internal candidates might be Dusty Wathan, the manager of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, the Phillies AAA affiliate. Wathan, 44, has already coached many of the homegrown young players that represent the Phillies future. In fact, most of their regular starters, with the exception of Odubel Herrera, came through the Phillies minor league system and passed under the tutelage of Wathan.

Rumors have also circled around the possibility of promoting longtime Phillie Juan Samuel, currently the third base coach.

External possibilities are highlighted by Ozzie Guillen, who led the White Sox to a World Series championship in 2005.

Mackanin joins Charlie Manuel and Larry Bowa as former Phillies managers who have remained with the organization.

Klentak was upbeat Friday about the future of the organization and Mackanin's role in advising a team he knows so well.

"I want to make sure," he said, "That when we're pouring champagne when we win our next championship, that Pete Mackanin is wearing the "P," because he deserves that."

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