According to an article written by CSN Philly's Jim Salisbury, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel feels no threat with the new promotion of Ryne Sandberg.
The hall of famer Sandberg was appointed to the third base coaching position for the big league club this morning following the Phillies' house cleaning within the coaching staff.
With Charlie Manuel's contract expiring after next season, a big question and apparent speculation regarding Sandberg's future with the club is emerging. Although the fans' speculation is that Sandberg will become Manuel's successor. However, Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. has made it clear that Sandberg has not been promised any managerial job in the future.
“The fact is he’s not the heir apparent,” Amaro said. “There have been no promises made to Ryne Sandberg. He’s part of the staff and we’re happy to have him. I believe he will get an opportunity to be a big-league manager at some point. Whether it’s with the Phillies or another club I don’t know.”
Amaro noted that Sandberg is free to interview for any manager's positions that might rise this offseason. Salisbury notes that Sandberg may have no intentions of signing with another club and that his best shot to manage in the MLB is with Philadelphia.
It is not clear whether Sandberg would accept interviews with other clubs. He clearly wants to manage in the majors and sources say he has an understanding that his best chance of doing so might be with the Phillies.
Charlie Manuel, who is the all-time leader in managerial wins for the Phillies, will enter the final year of his contract in 2013. The 68 year-old, who turns 69 in January, signed a two-year extension in an effort to end it near his 70th birthday. Salisbury speculates and notes, like most of us, that Charlie Manuel won't make the decision any time soon.
Manuel had long said he would evaluate his personal situation and his standing in the franchise at the end of the deal and decide if he wanted to pursue a new deal or retire. Though Manuel has never publicly said he intends to retire from managing after the 2013 season, people close to him have said that is his intent and that team officials know that. Manuel probably does not want to reveal his intentions because he doesn’t want to create the impression he is coasting toward the end.
With that being said, Manuel has explained that he is comfortable without a contract extension.
“I know how old I am,” said Manuel. “My favorite saying is know thyself. I still have passion and drive. My contract is fine. At the end of the year I’ll sit down and take inventory of myself and talk to people and see where I am. I’m not saying I’m going to quit. [The 2013 season] is a great challenge for our team.”
The future is upon us and we're not the same team that we have been for the past five years. Changes are coming and changes will happen. Amaro stated that changing faces in the organization will better the club in the long run.
"One of the things that makes an organization strong, frankly, is hiring people that might eventually take our jobs," Amaro said. "That’s one of the beauties of hiring strong people: They get opportunities to step up later on.”
I like this move and the potential that it holds for the Phillies. Of course we have another season with Uncle Cholly. If 2013 is indeed his last at the helm of the Phillies, the Phillies should strive to send him off the right way: with another World Series.
H/T to CSN Philly's Jim Salisbury.
Follow Erik on Twitter @ErikSeyboldPHI.
