Philadelphia Phillies – Gabe Kapler
The Phillies were expected to take a major step forward during the 2019 MLB season.
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Philadelphia had been one of the more active teams of the offseason, filling various holes on their roster. They brought in J.T. Realmuto, Jean Segura, and Andrew McCutchen to solidify the lineup. Then, they made a major splash, adding superstar Bryce Harper to the lineup. The Phillies were looking to make up for their late season collapse in 2018.
That has not happened. The Phillies had another strong start, but have struggled once again, tumbling to fourth in the NL East despite their talented roster. Bullpen usage has come into question. The pitching staff as a whole has not lived up to expectations. And then there is manager Gabe Kapler.
Kapler has definitely rubbed some people the wrong way, especially given his views about diet, exercise, and the proper way to play defense. It was thought that he was an obstacle in regards to the Phillies landing free agents, even though Harper eventually signed in Philadelphia. His off the field issues, particularly regarding his time as the director of player development with the Dodgers, have been especially damning.
The Phillies have stuck by Kapler thus far. He is still learning how to be a manager, and is trying to grow into his role. However, in the end, the results are the only thing that matter. Should the Phillies falter again in the second half of the season, in addition to those stories, may be enough to send Kapler out the door.
The Phillies expected to compete during the 2019 MLB season. Instead, if their struggles continue, they may be looking for another manager in the offseason.