It has been an offseason unlike any other in Phillies history. Sure, there have been managerial changes before. Gabe Kapler is the third since Charlie Manuel’s unceremonious departure in 2013. But Pete Mackanin’s exit after the season was also accompanied by a complete overhaul of the coaching staff, and that is a major detour from the way things used to be done around here.
This was an offseason in which the Phillies talked about launch angles, run prevention and controlling the strike zone, which are dressed-up, analytical ways to say that they need to hit for more power, get on base more often and throw more quality strikes.