Phillies extend Pete Mackanin through 2016

The Phillies managerial search is over before it even started after the team announced today they have extended Pete Mackanin through 2016. The contract also has a club option for 2017 so there’s a lot of incentive to turn this team around. It’s interesting the organization announced Mackanin as manager for next year without a general manager in place, showing the type of power Andy MacPhail already has in the organization’s decision-making.

This is a definitely a smart move by the Phillies bringing Pete Mackanin, he definitely deserved it and he has a great relationship with the players. He’s the kind of guy you want managing a rebuilding team and players like to play for him as well.

Soon to be President Andy MacPhail said this about extending Mackanin: “We believe that Pete is the best fit for the role. Since assuming the interim manager position in June, Pete has developed an excellent rapport with our players and has also connected well with the media and our fans. Equally as important is his eagerness to take the challenge of rebuilding the team and further developing our players. We look forward to his contributions.”

Andy MacPhail definitely hit it right on the nail with his statement regarding Pete Mackanin’s contract extension. You definitely saw a change in the way the Phillies played after Mackanin took over in June and it seemed like something clicked for them after the team looked lifeless for a majority of the first half of the season. This move certainly caters to the fans too because a lot them felt Mackanin made a difference out there and the way he handled situations and players showed he’s not afraid to speak out or put a player in his place if need be. You would have never seen Ryne Sandberg make a statement like Pete Mackanin did when he gave his explanation for benching Odubel Herrera and it demonstrates that Pete Mackanin isn’t afraid to step on any toes and is willing to make tough decisions. The players certainly like playing for Mackanin and it helps that Mackanin can speak Spanish as the Phillies are a pretty diverse team with some of their best young players being Latino.

The Phillies will surely be in good hands with Pete Mackanin at the helm for 2016 and there’s no doubt he deserved the extension. He’s the type of guy you want managing a rebuilding team and it will be interesting to see what he can do with these young players.