Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Coaching Staff Changes
The Phillies announced that the contracts of bench coach, Gary Varsho; third base coach, Bill Dancy; and first base coach, Marc Bombard. This is not much of a surprise. Varsho is a very good coach and has a bright future but I am not sure Manuel ever really trusted his judgement. It is known that Varsho would like to return to Chicago Cubs. He may get a look for the manager job, but it would be surprising if he got that job. Either way Varsho should land on his feet somewhere.
Bill Dancy was offered another position within the Phillies organization. Dancy is a lifetime Phillie, having been a minor league player, coach, manager, coordinator, or major league coach for 32 of his 34 years in the game. Dancy was never a good third base coach. He often got players thrown out by easily and then would become too cautious.
Rich Dubee, Milt Thompson, Mick Billmeyer, and Ramon Henderson will return to the Phillies next year. Rich Dubee is hard to evaluate because he operates mostly behind the scenes. He has overseen Brett Myers' development and turned Geoff Geary into a consistent reliever. Cole Hamels also blossomed this year, but Hamels has so much talent I think that you or me could have overseen his development. Dubee has not helped Gavin Floyd reach his potential but I do not believe that is all his fault.
Milt Thompson also deserves to return. Although he has not bee able to help Pat Burrell, the rest of the lineup is very productive and actually the highest scoring team in the NL even above the New York Mets. Thompson has helped Shane Victorino to contribute to the offense, helped Chris Coste make the most out of chance in the majors. The biggest critism of this offense is the lack of timely hits. This is not the hitting coach's fault. Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and Jimmy Rollins also all had very big years under Thompson.
I am most excitied about Ramon Henderson returning. He is the two time Home Run Derby batting practice champion pitcher. Henderson has garnered some fame from this. He also seems to keep the bullpen and clubhouse loose. He seems to connect well with all the Latino players and can communicate well with them because he speaks fluid spanish. This may come as a surprise but Henderson is the third longest-tenured coach in the NL East behind two of Atlanta's coaches.
The only thing left undecided is Charlie Manuel's fate. Manuel is scheduled to meet today with GM Pat Gillick. Once the decision is made, I will post an update. My feeling is that Charlie will return and I would support that decision. The only reason I would replace Manuel is if the Phillies could hire Joe Girardi and I don't see that happening. Manuel has done a great job of controlling the clubhouse. The players all love him and although he is not a very good strategist if he was surrounded with good coaches he will be alright. Manuel, a hitting genius, has helped get the best out of this lineup. The hitters are not the reason this team missed the playoffs rather it was the pitchers. Manuel kept this team afloat during a bad start, Brett Myers' incident, Flash's injury, and a firesale at the deadline.
If Charlie Manuel is relieved of his duty there are some coaches that will get interviews.
Bill Dancy was offered another position within the Phillies organization. Dancy is a lifetime Phillie, having been a minor league player, coach, manager, coordinator, or major league coach for 32 of his 34 years in the game. Dancy was never a good third base coach. He often got players thrown out by easily and then would become too cautious.
Rich Dubee, Milt Thompson, Mick Billmeyer, and Ramon Henderson will return to the Phillies next year. Rich Dubee is hard to evaluate because he operates mostly behind the scenes. He has overseen Brett Myers' development and turned Geoff Geary into a consistent reliever. Cole Hamels also blossomed this year, but Hamels has so much talent I think that you or me could have overseen his development. Dubee has not helped Gavin Floyd reach his potential but I do not believe that is all his fault.
Milt Thompson also deserves to return. Although he has not bee able to help Pat Burrell, the rest of the lineup is very productive and actually the highest scoring team in the NL even above the New York Mets. Thompson has helped Shane Victorino to contribute to the offense, helped Chris Coste make the most out of chance in the majors. The biggest critism of this offense is the lack of timely hits. This is not the hitting coach's fault. Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and Jimmy Rollins also all had very big years under Thompson.
I am most excitied about Ramon Henderson returning. He is the two time Home Run Derby batting practice champion pitcher. Henderson has garnered some fame from this. He also seems to keep the bullpen and clubhouse loose. He seems to connect well with all the Latino players and can communicate well with them because he speaks fluid spanish. This may come as a surprise but Henderson is the third longest-tenured coach in the NL East behind two of Atlanta's coaches.
The only thing left undecided is Charlie Manuel's fate. Manuel is scheduled to meet today with GM Pat Gillick. Once the decision is made, I will post an update. My feeling is that Charlie will return and I would support that decision. The only reason I would replace Manuel is if the Phillies could hire Joe Girardi and I don't see that happening. Manuel has done a great job of controlling the clubhouse. The players all love him and although he is not a very good strategist if he was surrounded with good coaches he will be alright. Manuel, a hitting genius, has helped get the best out of this lineup. The hitters are not the reason this team missed the playoffs rather it was the pitchers. Manuel kept this team afloat during a bad start, Brett Myers' incident, Flash's injury, and a firesale at the deadline.
If Charlie Manuel is relieved of his duty there are some coaches that will get interviews.
- Lou Piniella- he worked with Gillick in Seattle. He is a fiery guy reminiscent of Larry Bowa. I am not sure that is what this team needs. Utley provides intensity and fire unlike the previous leader of this team. I think an easygoing manager would be a better fit.
- Joe Girardi- I think he will be a very good manager. He has a strong personality, but did a great job in South Florida this year with a young team. I think Girardi is a long shot to land in Philly since he has no connections and will have his choice of jobs.
- Bob Boone- he interviewed when Larry Bowa was hired. He had a short stint with the Cincinnati Reds before being fired.
- John Russell- He did a great job in Scranton this year leading an undermanned team into the playoffs. Many of his players admired him and he seems to have a bright future. When Manuel is replaced, I think Russell should be his successor.
Dusty Baker, who was let go by the Chicago Cubs, should not be given consideration. He does not have a good track record with young players especially young pitchers.
Still, I don't see the Phillies replacing Charlie Manuel. Manuel has done a better than average job. Many Phillies fans strictly dislike him because he was hired instead of Jim Leyland. That was a mistake, but firing Manuel now would also be a mistake.
