PHILADELPHIA -- So who is the next Phillies manager going to be?
It is unclear if there is a front runner, but sources said that the Phillies are indeed finishing a second round of interviews this week with three finalists: former Red Sox manager John Farrell, Dodgers player development director Gabe Kapler and Triple-A Lehigh Valley manager Dusty Wathan. An announcement could come next week.
It is unlikely Yankees manager Joe Girardi will become a last-minute finalist. Girardi lost his job Thursday, but the Phillies seem to feel good enough about their three finalists to offer the job to one of them.
Girardi is intriguing because of his pedigree and resume. He spent the past 10 seasons with the Yankees, guiding them to the 2009 World Series championship over the Phillies. New York exceeded expectations this season, reaching the American League Championship Series. But Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and Girardi reportedly clashed at times, and the Yankees want somebody else to lead a roster full of young talent like Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez.
Kapler, 42, is the most outside-the-box choice to replace former manager Pete Mackanin because he managed only one season in the Minor Leagues in 2007. But Kapler is a protégé of Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman. Kapler is analytically minded, something of importance to the Phillies. He also has keen interests in nutrition, fitness and sports psychology. The Phillies have invested more resources recently into nutrition and sports psychology.
Farrell, 55, interviewed Friday for the Nationals' managerial vacancy, according to multiple reports. He managed the Red Sox from 2013-17, guiding them to the 2013 World Series championship and consecutive American League East division titles the past two seasons. The Red Sox dismissed him following the season.
Wathan, 44, is highly regarded in the organization and knows the team's young players well. He guided the IronPigs to the postseason this year, despite losing top prospects Rhys Hoskins, Nick Williams and Jorge Alfaro to promotions. He has posted a winning record in seven of 10 seasons as a Minor League manager.
If the Phillies hire Kapler or Farrell, it will be the first time since Terry Francona in 1996 that they have hired a manager without club ties. Larry Bowa (former player and coach), Charlie Manuel (front office advisor), Ryne Sandberg (Triple-A manager) and Pete Mackanin (coach) followed Francona.
Phillies front office advisor Jorge Velandia, Phillies third-base coach Juan Samuel, A's third-base coach Chip Hale, former Giants third-base coach Phil Nevin and former Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway also interviewed for the Phillies job. There could be others that have not been reported. Callaway took the Mets job on Monday.