After declining Phillies, McDowell fails to stay with Braves as long as McClure

When former Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg was assembling a coaching staff after being named permanent Phillies manager, one of the open positions was that of pitching coach. After Rich Dubee departed, the Phillies considered many candidates for the position before hiring Bob McClure. One such candidate, Roger McDowell, opted to stay with the Atlanta Braves, despite Phillies interest.

The Braves announced Friday that they decided to part ways with McDowell, two seasons after he turned down an opportunity with the Phillies. The official press release from the Braves included very kind words for their 11-year coach:

"Roger is a terrific coach and an even better person," Coppolella said. "We wish him and his family nothing but the best in the future."

The move may have something to do with the open Braves managerial position.

The Braves reportedly are considering interim manager Brian Snitker, former San Diego Padres manager Bud Black, and longtime Braves coach Terry Pendleton. Since Snitker and Pendleton are already Braves employees, the move could be a signal that the Braves are set to hire Black for the position, who may wish to bring a pitching coach with him. Darren Balsley reportedly would have gone to Washington D.C. with Black last season had he been hired as Nationals manager.

The Phillies have already offered McClure a position as the Phillies pitching coach for 2017. Should McClure decline, the Phillies might have interest again in McDowell. However, with the job already offered, that seems unlikely. McDowell could be a candidate in Baltimore, where Orioles pitching coach Dave Wallacce opted to retire as pitching coach and fill a less-taxing role with the Orioles in 2017.