5 candidates to replace Gabe Kapler as Philadelphia Phillies manager

2. Buck Showalter

Showalter has already tentatively thrown his hat in the ring for the Mets’ job, so it’s pretty clear he wants to manage again after being let go by the Baltimore Orioles after the 2018 campaign. A recent report from MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki, before Kapler was officially fired, suggested Phillies’ brass wanted to interview Showalter two years ago before they hired Kepler.

Showalter was of course not available two years ago, even as the Orioles were in a decline that has reached a full bottom over the last two seasons. But now he’s freely available, and open to talking about getting back in as a manager somewhere if there’s a fit. Showalter was in Baltimore with a front office contingent that is n now with the Phillies (Andy MacPhail, Matt Klentak), so that points to obvious mutual interest two years ago and surely now. The fit looks like it will be best for Showalter in Philadelphia.

Showalter’s picture might be somewhere next to a dictionary definition of “old school.” But his track record of leading teams to improvement quickly at his previous stops stands out, and that kind of improvement for the Phillies would mean a push toward 90-95 wins and a division title in 2020.