Decision Due

Now that the World Series is set, the Phillies should be ready to announce their next manager. Major League Baseball frowns on major announcements during the World Series, so a hiring could be announced Monday, before Game 1, or Thursday, a travel day.

Buck Showalter has interviewed twice with the team. Dusty Baker was at CBP late last week. Joe Girardi met with team officials last Monday in New York. So who's it gonna be?

I have a feeling Girardi is their first choice. He's won a World Series (against the Phils in 2009) and is the youngest of the three. The fact that the Phils are reported to be close to hiring top Yankees scout Brian Barber as amateur scouting director could provide Girardi with a level of comfort since they worked together in New York.

Girardi was a catcher for 15 seasons with the Cubs, Yankees, Rockies, and Cardinals. He managed the Marlins for 1 season before leading the Yankees for 10 years. His teams have a .544 winning percentage and the Yankees never won fewer than 84 games with him in charge.

But as been proven many times before in this blog, what the hell do I know?