By Tim Kelly, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The Philadelphia Phillies may be starting the Gabe Kapler era in 2018, but they'll be borrowing from their past during Spring Training.
According to Marshall Harris of NBC Sports Philadelphia, former outfielder Bobby Abreu is among a group of former Phillies players and managers that will work as guest instructors during Kapler's first Spring Training at the helm:
The Phillies have invited Bobby Abreu, Larry Bowa, Brad Lidge, Charlie Manuel, Dan Plesac and Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt to assist Gabe Kapler and his staff as spring training guest instructors.
— Marshall Harris (@mharrisNBCS) January 23, 2018
Abreu, 43, played with the Phillies from 1998 until the team traded him to the New York Yankees in July of 2006. Though he had a mixed reputation among fans, his work at the plate speaks for itself. In 18 seasons in the major leagues, Abreu slashed .288/.395/.475 with 288 home runs and 400 stolen bases. Abreu did win a Gold Glove in 2005, though his -1.6 dWAR suggests two things; that most Gold Glove voters aren't especially aware of how well players actually field and that Abreu wasn't a very good fielder. Still, his immense offensive talent allowed him to compile a 59.9 career bWAR, which is higher than Vladimir Guerrero, Sammy Sosa, Bobby Bonds and Chuck Klein, among others.
It feels like a certainty that the late Roy Halladay will be the Phillies 2018 Wall of Fame inductee, though Abreu figures to be enshrined in the near future. Abreu, who will have a better Hall of Fame case than some might expect, will become eligible for the ballot in 2020.
In addition to Abreu, his former teammate, reliever Dan Plesac, will also be a guest instructor at Spring Training. He returns, after serving in this same role in 2015. Plesac, who is now an analyst for MLB Network, spent the final season-and-a-half of his 18-year major league career with the Phillies.
Lidge, who closed out the 2008 World Series, will be back for his second consecutive Spring Training with the Phillies.
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It comes as little surprise that Bowa, who is now a senior advisor to general manager Matt Klentak, will have a role in on-field instruction during Spring Training. The Phillies Wall of Famer was the team's manager for nearly four seasons and spent the previous four seasons as the team's bench coach.
Charlie Manuel, the winningest manager in franchise history, has also become a regular at Spring Training. The 74-year-old – who guided the Phillies to five National League East titles, two National League pennants and the 2008 World Series title – is also a senior advisor to Klentak.
Schmidt, of course, spent his entire Hall of Fame 18-year career with the Phillies. He currently serves as a color commentator for the team's weekend home games.
Phillies pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Clearwater on Wednesday Feb. 19.
