Not only are the Philadelphia Phillies reportedly close to a decision on their next manager, but also their new director of scouting.
The Phillies are “nearing an end” on their search, led by Assistant General Manager Bryan Minniti, to replace Johnny Almarez. The Phillies’ focus, according to Salisbury, “seems to be narrowing on Brian Barber, national crosschecker from [the] New York Yankees.”
Barber was among the eight candidates that the Phillies had reported interest in, per Salisbury’s report this past Monday.
Almarez voluntarily stepped down for personal reasons in early September; he had been the Phillies director of scouting since October 2014, but will still remain with the club next season as a special assistant in both scouting and player development.