Pat Gillick has said little this season as the Phillies have put together one of their worst seasons in recent memory. With the Phillies playing at their worst, fans and media alike are clamoring for changes, particularly in the club's leadership. Last week, Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly reported that the Phillies are courting long-time executive Andy MacPhail, and going into this week, it sounds like some changes could be made soon.
"I'm working with ownership and we've got some people under consideration. I think probably it's going to happen somewhere in the not-too-distant future."
So what will happen in the interim?
Over at MLB.com, Todd Zolecki asked Gillick if the team could make any moves with a potential successor coming aboard:
"While I'm president, if Ruben and I and ownership want to do something, we're going to do it," Gillick said. "I mean, if we think it's the right thing. If the opportunity presents itself — and timing is very important — we're going to act on it. We're not going to leave it for whoever it might be. We're not going to be locked up. As long as I'm here, and as long as Ruben's here, it's going to be business as normal. We're not going to hesitate."
But when he is no longer president? General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. and manager Ryne Sandberg are probably safe, Gillick said in Brookover's piece.
Gillick said the intent is to give his eventual replacement time to observe the remainder of the season and then make decisions concerning general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., manager Ryne Sandberg and player personnel.
"Yeah, absolutely," Gillick said. "We have some important decisions to make and you don't want to make those decisions on the fly. This way you can get the feel in which direction you want to go because it is an important decision to make."
And there is much, much more in the two pieces.
- A scout was disappointed in Sandberg for not defending Maikel Franco after his ejection last week.
- The Phillies rebuild may take longer than 2017 or 2018
- The Phillies currently have "two or three" regular players for the future core
In Zolecki's piece:
- Gillick is "hopeful" the Phillies will make some trades before the July 31 trade deadline
- Gillick is running the show. He and Amaro are in "lockstep"
- Gillick would not "confirm" anything in regards to MacPhail. He did not deny it, either.
Make sure you check out both pieces.
