MLB Rumors: Joe Girardi, Buck Showalter 'Favorites' for Phillies Managerial Job

Former New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi and ex-Baltimore Orioles skipper Buck Showalter are viewed as the favorites for the Philadelphia Phillies' vacancy, according to Matt Breen of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Dusty Baker, most recently of the Washington Nationals, is believed to be the only other candidate for the job.

Girardi, 55, has previously managed two different big league clubs, the then-Florida Marlins (2006) and New York Yankees (2008-17).

He has recorded a winning season in 10 of his 11 seasons, with the lone exception coming with Florida. Of note, though, he was named the National League Manager of the Year after leading the Marlins to a 78-84 mark in 2006.

Girardi has a career record of 988-794 during the regular season and 28-24 during the postseason. He led the Yankees to six playoff appearances in 10 years on the job, and he was the manager during their most recent World Series team (2009). 

Showalter has served as the manager for four different franchises during his career, leading the Yankees (1992-95), Arizona Diamondbacks (1998-2000), Texas Rangers (2003-06) and Orioles (2010-18).

Over the course of his 20-year career, he has compiled a record of 1,551-1,517. The 63-year-old has taken a team to the postseason five times, compiling a 9-14 record in the playoffs. He is a three-time American League Manager of the Year, earning the recognition in New York (1994), Texas (2004) and Baltimore (2014).

Showalter was most recently in the dugout for Baltimore, where he spent eight-plus seasons. He put together a 622-569 record through his first seven-plus years with the O's before the franchise's rebuild dropped his overall record with the team below .500 (669-684). He was fired following a 47-115 performance in 2018.

Baker, 70, has 22 years of managerial experience. The three-time NL Manager of the Year has taken the San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds and Nationals to the postseason. 

He has a connection to the Phillies, as he managed star Bryce Harper in Washington in 2016 and 2017.

Baker has not managed since being let go by the Nationals following the 2017 campaign.

A decision is reportedly expected to be made by next week.