The Phillies have continued to make their offseason moves early on into the offseason. Two days to be precise. A day removed from firing three members of their coaching staff, the Phillies have two new additions to their unit for the 2013 campaign.
This morning, the Phillies announced that Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPig head coach and Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg will join the big league staff next season. Sandberg has served as head coach of the IronPigs since 2010 and has taken them to two-straight playoff appearances.
Along with the Sandberg promotion, the Phillies have hired Rod Nichols to take over the bullpen coaching position. Nichols is a former pitcher and served as the pitching coach for the IronPigs since 2008. Current bullpen coach Mick Billmeyer will be become the catching coach. Third base coach Juan Samuel will return next year but as the first base coach to make way for Sandberg.
The most interesting part of these moves is the fact that Charlie Manuel will not have a bench coach in the dugout next year. Rich Dubee, his right hand man, will take over managerial duties in the event that Charlie is ejected or unable to manage.
Ruben Amaro Jr. stated that just because Sandberg is up in the big leagues, it doesn't promise him a managerial position. Amaro said that if Sandberg is offered any managerial positions throughout the league, he is welcome to test them.
Let's hope that doesn't happen.
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