Phils appear down to Baker, Girardi or Buck

PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies know what they want in their next manager.

They seem to know who they want, too. Buck Showalter and Joe Girardi interviewed for their managerial vacancy on Monday. Phillies general manager Matt Klentak and assistant general manager Ned Rice are interviewing Dusty Baker on Wednesday.

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No other managerial candidates have emerged, and sources indicate that these three might be the only three interviewed, meaning a decision could come as early as next week. It is clear the Phillies want somebody with experience and a winning track record following Gabe Kapler’s dismissal last week. There is pressure on the Phillies to make the postseason in 2020.

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Joe Maddon might have been interviewed, but he was interested only in the Angels’ job.

The Phillies had a more elaborate managerial search two years ago, when they hired Kapler to replace Pete Mackanin. Klentak, Rice, assistant general manager Brian Minniti and former player development director Joe Jordan interviewed three internal candidates (Juan Samuel, Dusty Wathan and Jorge Velandia) and at least five external candidates (Kapler, John Farrell, Mickey Callaway, Phil Nevin and Chip Hale).

Kapler, Farrell and Wathan were finalists. They later met with other members of the Phillies’ front office. Klentak and Co. then sought their opinions following those meetings. Most favored Kapler, but it is unknown how much that consensus mattered. Klentak and Rice are expected to follow a similar plan this time.