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Phillies manager Joe Girardi understands he has to win
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Joe Girardi isn’t involved about managing the Philadelphia Phillies and not using a contract extension.
Girardi signed a three-year deal in 2019 with a crew possibility for 2023. The membership hasn’t picked up the choice and can seemingly wait to make that call.
“It doesn’t make my job harder,” Girardi mentioned Sunday. “I’m going to do the identical job it doesn’t matter what. I’ve by no means been prolonged in a season earlier than so it’s one thing I’m used to. You play it out. Identical to gamers, managers need to carry out. It’s a production-based enterprise so it’s important to carry out.”
Girardi is 110-112 in two seasons with the Phillies. He guided the Yankees to a World Sequence victory over Philadelphia in 2009, and was 910-710 in 10 seasons in New York from 2008-17.
The Phillies completed 82-80 final season, their first profitable report since 2011, however prolonged their postseason drought to an NL-worst 10 years. They went 1-7 of their remaining eight video games to complete 28-32 within the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. Only one extra win would’ve given them a wild-card berth.
Philadelphia Phillies’ supervisor Joe Girardi, foreground, gestures after making a pitching change in the course of the third inning of a baseball sport in opposition to the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, Saturday, June 19, 2021. (AP Photograph/Jeff Chiu)
“The fixed is my spouse, Kim, and the youngsters,” Girardi mentioned of the uncertainty about his future. “That’s the way you take care of it. You’re going to maneuver round. You’re going to reside in numerous residences. You get used to it.”
If Girardi can lead Bryce Harper, Zack Wheeler and the Phillies to October baseball in a aggressive NL East, he’ll stick round to drag on these purple pinstripes for a minimum of one other 12 months.
However the Phillies have loads of work to do.
They opened shortened spring coaching nonetheless on the lookout for two beginning outfielders and extra bullpen depth. They want a leadoff hitter and like one other man to hit in the midst of the order to assist shield Harper, the reigning NL MVP.
President Dave Dombrowski mentioned he’s talked to each crew about potential trades and has mentioned a number of free brokers. He indicated he has the liberty to spend freely, although he wouldn’t specify the crew’s funds for aggressive causes. The Phillies’ payroll topped $200 million every of the previous three seasons.
“Now we have possession that’s completely improbable,” Dombrowski mentioned. “They wish to win. They’re very supportive. … I don’t wish to tip my hand on what we’re going to do. I don’t really feel restricted in any respect.”
Underneath the brand new collective bargaining settlement, the competitive-balance tax threshold was raised by $34 million over 5 years, up from a $21 million hike over the 2017-21 deal and an $11 million rise from 2011-16.
The Phillies can have a contest at shortstop between veteran Didi Gregorius and Bryson Stott, the 14th total decide within the 2019 novice draft. Gregorius batted .209 with 13 homers and 54 RBIs with a .270 on-base proportion final 12 months.
“We’re going to have a look at them each,” Girardi mentioned. “Didi has a observe report and he has an opportunity of bouncing again and having an enormous 12 months as a result of I’ve seen him do it. Bryson Stott, we’re going to try him. He had an unbelievable 12 months final 12 months and he continued within the fall league and appears to be in place and it’s going to be an analysis.”
The beginning rotation seems set with Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Kyle Gibson Zach Eflin and Ranger Suarez. Wheeler is behind because of throwing 213 1/3 innings final 12 months. Dombrowski mentioned he could possibly be prepared for a begin within the first flip within the rotation. Suarez nonetheless hasn’t arrived as a result of he’s ready for a passport. Eflin, who completed final season on the harm record, has been throwing off the mound and could possibly be prepared to start out the season.
The Phillies bolstered the bullpen by signing nearer Corey Knebel earlier than the lockout. The crew has reportedly agreed to a take care of righty Jeurys Familia, who was 9-4 with a 3.94 ERA in 65 appearances final season with the Mets. Familia saved an MLB-best 51 video games in 2016, however he has 25 saves mixed over the previous 5 seasons.