The Philadelphia Phillies weren’t making many changes to the coaching staff, but their bench coach spot was open, and one name was a clear fit.
The Phillies officially announced that Don Mattingly, a former coach with the Toronto Blue Jays, had joined the Phillies staff as the bench coach. This is a good signing on its own, but there are plenty more reasons to be excited about this hire.
ThisThis hire of Mattingly might help the Phillies land a top free agent they’ve recently shown interest in. With Bo Bichette being a target, according to Jon Heyman of The New York Post, the Mattingly hire could increase Bichette’s odds of coming to Philadelphia.
Phillies’ hire of Don Mattingly could help land Bo Bichette
There’s no guarantee that the Phillies will sign anyone this winter in free agency, but bringing in Mattingly should help their odds of getting Bichette, even if only a little.
Having someone familiar in a new environment is a big deal, and for the Phillies, having Mattingly as a bench coach, who was alongside Bichette and the Blue Jays during this past year’s World Series run, could prove to be a big help.
Toronto signed Kazuma Okamoto and is showing interest in Kyle Tucker, among other top free agents this winter. Signing Bichette isn’t out of the question for Toronto, but they’re more likely to look elsewhere this winter.
More: Phillies’ J.T. Realmuto prediction shows how bad things would be if Philadelphia doesn’t re-sign him
With one of the top players for Bichette seemingly out of his market, the Phillies, with potential to spend amid J.T. Realmuto’s contract talks not panning out, could be the next best option this winter.
He’d be a big help for the Phillies, and while it would make Bryson Stott or Alec Bohm expendable, Bichette bringing his .311 average from 2025 to the Phillies lineup would be a big deal.
Mattingly is joining his son, Preston Mattingly, in the Phillies organization, and he could help make the Phillies a desirable landing spot for Bichette this winter.
Leave a Reply