The Phillies are working their way toward competitiveness as they look to field a young team with high potential next season led by a young rooie head coach in Gabe Kapler.
But is Kapler the next manager who will lead the Phillies to a World Series?
Thinking two steps ahead, perhaps it will be Chase Utley calling the shots when the Phils once again are staging a “Red October.”
According to a report from WIP’s Howard Eskin, Kapler needs a bench coach and Utley — the former All-Star second baseman and fan favorite — may not be returning to the Dodgers after his age 38 season.
Utley has seen a diminishing role on the Los Angeles bench and it comes as a susprise to absolutely no one that he might be looking to get into the coaching game.
Chase Utley back to Phils? The #phillies still have more coaching moves to make. I’m hearing the Phils are considering former Phillies 2nd baseman Chase Utley as a bench coach under manager @gabekapler . @SportsRadioWIP
— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) November 22, 2017
Anyone familiar with Utley knows full well that he acts as a manager on the field, playing an important role for nearly every mound conference and as a role model off the field.
He would be a perfect fit as a bench coach for the Phillies, helping to bring the young roster — many of whom made their debuts last year, like Nick Williams, Jorge Alfaro and J.P. Crawford — to take a step forward toward being MLB regulars.
And if the Phillies are in need of any kind of managing change, a line on the resume as a MLB coach could be enough to get him into the managing game.
Utley was a key member of the Phillies 2008 World Series run and is one of the most respected veterans currently in the league. Whether he’s ready to hang up his cleats for good is the biggest question regarding his potential hire.
