LAS VEGAS - Another prominent former member of the Phillies organization is headed to the Atlanta Braves.
Several people at the winter meetings say Joe Jordan, the former Phillies director of player development, is poised to take a position in the Braves' scouting department.
That will make it three notable former Phillies staffers to join the NL East rival Braves in the last couple of months.
Doug Mansolino, who was let go as Phillies minor-league field coordinator in September, has joined the Braves in the same role.
Rick Kranitz, a member of the Phillies' big-league coaching staff the last three seasons, was hired as the Braves' big-league pitching coach last week (see story). Kranitz had served as bullpen coach, assistant big-league pitching coach and head big-league pitching coach, respectively, the last three seasons before being abruptly pushed aside last month when the Phillies elevated assistant pitching coach Chris Young to the head job.
Jordan headed player development for the Phillies for seven seasons before stepping down amid philosophical differences with the front office in September. The Phillies subsequently hired Josh Bonifay from the Astros to head player development.
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Like Kranitz and Mansolino, Jordan was not a free agent for long. The trio will now have a hand in trying to beat the Phillies as they join the defending NL East champs.
Before coming to the Phillies, Jordan was scouting director for the Baltimore Orioles for seven seasons. He drafted Manny Machado for that club. The Phillies are now pursuing Machado as a free agent.
In addition to Jordan, Kranitz and Mansolino, infielders Pedro Florimon and Andres Blanco have also joined the Braves on minor-league contracts.
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