After nearly becoming Don Mattingly’s successor as Los Angeles Dodgers manager, Gabe Kapler may be inching closer to receiving an opportunity outside of the organization.
Kapler, who joined the Dodgers in 2014 as director of player development, has been praised around the league for his work within the Minor League system and organization as a whole. He pioneered a change to put a renewed value and focus on nutrition.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and general manager Farhan Zaidi recently recommended Kapler to the New York Mets, but the club declined to interview him and instead hired Mickey Callaway for their managerial opening.
While the Mets decided to go in another direction, another team is expressing strong interest in Kapler. Per Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, Kapler is among the finalists to become manager of the Philadelphia Phillies:
“A source said Wathan, 44, is expected to be a finalist, but the Phillies have gone no further than that.”
“Dodgers director of player development Gabe Kapler also is expected to be a finalist.”
In addition to Kapler, Triple-A Lehigh Valley manager Dusty Wathan, who joined the Phillies organization in 2008, appears to be under serious consideration for the position as well.
Kapler has one season of managerial experience under his belt. In 2007, he led the Class-A Greenville Drive, a Boston Red Sox affiliate, to a 58-81 record before resuming his playing career the following year.
All-in-all, Kapler spent 12 seasons in the Majors and earned an invitation to Spring Training with the Dodgers in 2011 before ultimately retiring.
Whether the Phillies hire Kapler remains to be seen, but it’s clear that the 42-year-old will eventually become a manager someday.
