MLB Rumors: Gabe Kapler fired as Phillies manager

MLB Rumors: Gabe Kapler is out as Philadelphia Phillies manager, per multiple reports online. Kapler just finished his second year as the manager of the Phillies, who had a disappointing 81-81 record in 2019. Phillies manager John Middleton had reportedly been talking to folks around the organization in recent days to help determine whether to keep Kapler.

Kapler has been something of a poster child for the new age, analytic-embracing former player paradigm that has also seen guys like Brian Bannister, Rocco Baldelli, and Chris Young (who was fired as the Phillies pitching coach earlier) become hot commodities.

After Kapler’s playing career ended when he was released in the spring of 2011, he managed the Israeli national team in the 2013 WBC qualifier, and then was hired by the Los Angeles Dodgers as their director of player development. He was hired by the Phillies as their manager after the 2017 season, but caught a lot of flak from the Philly media for various perceived gaffes, particularly in 2019, when the Phillies did not live up to expectations that they would be a playoff team.

Kapler is, of course, a former Ranger, having come to Texas in the legendary Juan Gonzalez trade in the 1999-2000 offseason, along with Justin Thompson, Frank Catalanotto, Francisco Cordero, Alan Webb and Bill Haselman. Kapler was traded by the Rangers to the Rockies in 2002, along with Jason Romano, in a deal that landed Texas Dennys Reyes and Todd Hollandsworth.