The Phillies are reshaping the coaching room after bringing Don Mattingly back as manager for 2027, with hitting coach Kevin Long and infield coach Bobby Dickerson expected to depart. Neither move has been formally announced by the club, but both coaches are not expected to return after working together in Philadelphia since 2022.
A new voice for a lineup that slipped in 2026
Long leaves behind a solid reputation with the club’s hitters, even as the Phillies’ offense took a substantial step back this past season. Philadelphia finished 19th in Major League Baseball in runs in 2026 after placing among the league’s top eight offenses in each of the previous four years.
- The Phillies ranked seventh in MLB in runs in 2022.
- They finished eighth in 2023.
- They climbed to fifth in 2024.
- They were eighth again in 2025.
- They fell to 19th in 2026.
A hitting coach cannot carry the entire burden for an offense, and Long had earned considerable respect in the clubhouse. Kyle Schwarber has regularly credited Long with helping revive his career after the Cubs chose not to tender him a contract following the 2020 season.
Still, with the lineup failing to produce at its usual level, the Phillies appear set to seek a different approach in the batting cages. The hope is that a fresh instructor and new set of ideas can help restore the club’s offensive edge.
Dickerson’s defensive work had real results
Dickerson also exits with a strong baseball résumé. His work helped Alec Bohm become a dependable enough infielder, while Bryce Harper made the difficult transition from longtime outfielder to first baseman.
His most striking project was Trea Turner at shortstop. Turner’s defensive numbers improved dramatically in 2025 after two difficult seasons, though the gains did not last into 2026.
- Turner posted minus-6 Outs Above Average in 2023.
- He improved slightly to minus-2 OAA in 2024.
- His defense surged to plus-17 OAA in 2025.
- He finished 2026 at minus-11 OAA, his poorest season at shortstop.
That downturn has fueled discussion about whether Philadelphia could consider moving Turner to the outfield as part of a broader roster adjustment. There has been no indication that such a move has been decided, and it remains uncertain whether the club will pursue it.
Player-development staff also affected
The changes are not limited to the major-league dugout. The Phillies also will not retain Minor League infield coordinator Adam Everett or Minor League outfield coordinator Andy Abad.
With Mattingly returning to the manager’s office, Philadelphia is clearly using the offseason to alter the instruction surrounding him. Long and Dickerson brought established reputations and tangible successes, but the club is looking for a different coaching mix after a 2026 season that did not meet its standard.
