The Phillies did not shake up their coaching staff after finishing the season with the worst record in the majors, but they gave it a little stir.
After Sunday’s season finale, the club announced that assistant hitting coach John Mizerock and bullpen coach Rod Nichols would not have their contracts renewed for 2016.
Bench coach Larry Bowa, hitting coach Steve Henderson, first base coach Juan Samuel and pitching coach Bob McClure were all offered contracts for 2016. Henderson and McClure are expected to accept the offers, but Bowa and Samuel could move on for other opportunities.
According to sources, the Phillies have granted the Miami Marlins permission to speak with Bowa about their manager's job. The Marlins have already interviewed Bo Porter and Manny Acta for that job.
Bowa managed the Phillies and Padres earlier in his career.
Samuel interviewed for the Phillies’ manager job when Pete Mackanin was hired full-time last month. Samuel has managerial aspirations and hopes to interview with other clubs this fall.
At the very least, the Phillies will have two openings on their staff. It’s possible that Dusty Wathan could move up from his post as Double A manager and serve as bullpen/catching coach. Wathan was the Eastern League manager of the year in 2015 and is a former catcher.
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Mizerock wore several hats with the Phillies. In addition to assisting Henderson with the hitters, he was catching instructor and coached third base when Mackanin took over as manager after Ryne Sandberg’s resignation in June.
If Samuel stays with the club, he could move from the first-base coaching box to third base. He has coached third before, including two seasons with the Phillies.
Mackanin said he will look to stress defense and baserunning in spring training. It’s possible he could look to bring Sam Perlozzo back to the staff. Perlozzo is strong in both areas. He was a coach on the Phillies staff from 2010 to 2013 and currently works in the Minnesota Twins organization.
Jorge Velandia is another possibility to join the staff. Technically a special assistant in player personnel, he assisted the field staff after Mackanin moved into the manager’s role.