For the second-straight year, the Phillies increased their commitment to manager Pete Mackanin, signing him to a new contract Thursday.
Mackanin's contract now runs through 2018 with a club option for 2019. His previous extension, signed last March, took him through the end of 2017 with a 2018 club option.
Mackanin is in his second full season as the Phillies' manager after taking over for Ryne Sandberg on June 26, 2015. His record with the Phils is 121-161 (.429).
The Phillies like the way Mackanin communicates with his players. He's also savvy with the media, which doesn't hurt. [[247269581, C]]
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The timing of the extension is interesting as it comes a day after reliever Joaquin Benoit criticized the way the Phillies' staff has used its struggling bullpen (see story).
Mackanin and Phillies GM Matt Klentak will discuss the new deal in a press conference at 3 p.m. You can stream it live on CSNPhilly.com.