Phils add experience

If Phillies manager Charlie Manuel doesn’t get his team off to a good start next season, the team has a Plan B. It also has a Plan C and a Plan D.

The Phils have hired former managers Art Howe, Davie Lopes, and Jimy Williams as coaches. Williams will be the bench coach and coordinate spring training. Howe will be the third-base coach and infield instructor. Lopes will be the first-base coach and baserunning and outfield instructor.

Phils GM Pat Gillick says Manuel had a say in picking his new coaches:

General manager Pat Gillick said that while the front office was involved in the hiring process last week in Clearwater, Fla., Manuel ultimately made the call to fire and hire his coaches. There had been speculation that Gillick had forced Manuel’s hand.

Sources said others interviewed included former Detroit manager Alan Trammell; Lou Piniella’s bench coach in Seattle and Tampa Bay, John McClaren; Scranton/Wilkes-Barre manager John Russell; and Lakewood manager Dave Huppert.

“The manager is in charge of his department,” Gillick said. “He runs his department. I wouldn’t want to make any changes unless he felt he wanted to get better. Charlie came and spoke to me regarding the coaches: Can we get better? Can we improve our coaching staff? He said he’d like to try to improve it.”

Here’s a look at the Phils three new coaches and what they’ve done in the past:

Art Howe has managed the Houston Astros, Oakland Athletics, and New York Mets. His record in 14 seasons is 1,129-1,137 (a winning percentage of .498). Three of his A’s teams reached the playoffs.

Davey Lopes was 144-195 (.425) as manager of the Milwaukee Brewers from 2000 to ‘02. His teams did not make the playoffs.

Jimy Williams is 910-790 (.535) in 12 seasons as manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, and Astros. He was the American League’s manager of the year with Boston in 1999. Four of his teams reached the playoffs.