Manuel, Phillies hope to retain entire coaching staff

ATLANTA, Ga. - The Phillies hope the gang will all be here again next season.

Prior to their game against the Braves Monday night, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. announced that the team had invited back all of the coaches serving under manager Charlie Manuel.

Amaro spoke positively about third base coach Juan Samuel, who joined the team this off season after a long career with the Orioles, and first base coach Sam Perlozzo, who had coached third in 2009 and 2010 before sliding across the diamond to replace Davy Lopes.

"They're still going through the process of learning guys' speeds and their jumps and that kind of things," Amaro said of his two base coaches, "but I've very pleased with the job guys have done."

Pitching coach Rich Dubee is expected back. Bench coach Pete Mackanin has managed before and has expressed interest in doing so again, but it remains to be seen if he emerges as a candidate for any of the vacancies sure to develop around the majors.

Hitting coach Greg Gross and bullpen coach Mick Billmeyer are the other members of the staff.

After the 2008 season, the Phillies fired third base coach Steve Smith and bench coach Jimy Williams elected not to return. Last season, Lopes left the Phillies to become first base coach with the Dodgers. Midway through last season, the Phillies fired hitting coach Milt Thompson and replaced him with Gross.