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Philadelphia Phillies sign manager Pete Mackanin to extension

By Brad Berreman

Apr 28, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies manager Pete Mackanin looks on in the dugout during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies manager Pete Mackanin looks on in the dugout during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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As they continue their own “process,” the Philadelphia Phillies plan to keep manager Pete Mackanin around a little longer.

The Philadelphia 76ers are the NBA poster child for an ongoing rebuild, complete with the  maligned catch-phrase “Trust the Process.” The local MLB team has taken a downturn of its own since winning the World Series in 2008, and full-on rebuild has taken hold in recent years.

Midway through the 2015 season, Pete Mackanin took over as interim manager of the Phillies when Ryne Sandberg resigned. The interim tag has since been removed, though the Phillies have been essentially going year-to-year with Mackanin. With his contract only running through this season, an adjustment has been made.

According to Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Phillies have signed Mackanin to a one-year contract extension through 2018. They had a club option for 2018 under the previous deal, and the Phillies have now tacked on a team option for 2019. There is now certainty about who will manage the Phillies next season, at least in theory, with a wait-and see approach extended for another year.

Mackanin has a 121-161 record (.429 winning percentage) as Phillies’ manager, including 13-19 so far this season (entering Thursday). But the rebuilding process was somewhat accelerated last offseason, with the signings of Howie Kendrick and Michael Saunders along with a trade for Clay Buchholz. Bigger moves could be coming next winter, which would line Mackanin up to succeed.

There’s something to be said for the rapport between a front office’s analysis and a manager being willing to deploy it on the field without conflict. General manager Matt Klentak and Mackanin may be on the same page in that way, and it’s simply a matter of adding more and better talent.

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The Phillies have not committed themselves to Mackanin for longer than they should, perhaps with his age (65) in mind. Their own process may not bear fruit for a couple more years, and it’s still uncertain whether Mackanin will still be in charge when it does.

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