Report: Phillies to Interview Thomson of Yankees for Bench Job

With five of seven Phillies coaches decided upon for 2018, the Phillies still need to hire a bench coach and a first base coach.  While former Phillies second baseman Chase Utley has been rumored to be in the mix as a potential bench coach, another name has emerged: Yankees bench coach Rob Thomson. The report comes from WFAN radio in New York and long-time Yankees reporter Sweeney Murti.

Unlike Utley, Thomson is very experienced as a major league coach.  Thomson was a former catcher in the Detroit Tigers system who joined the Yankees organization in 1990 and held various organizational roles, all the way up to vice president of minor league development.  Thomson filled in as a first base coach for Tony Peña for four games in 2006 and then permanently joined the major league coaching staff in 2008.

Thomson was named bench coach in 2008, subbing as Yankees manager for a couple games while manager Joe Girardi was ill.  In 2009, Thomson became third base coach, a role he held against the Phillies in the World Series.  In 2015, Thomson returned to being Girardi's bench coach.

Thomson right now is one of five known-candidates for the open Yankees managerial vacancy.  Since a new manager is likely to bring aboard his own coaching staff, Thomson's bench coach role could be in doubt with the Yankees.  The Yankees appear to be taking their time making their managerial decision.