According to CSNPhilly.com Phillies Insider Jim Salisbury, veteran baseball executive Andy MacPhail is being heavily considered by the Phillies to become the new head of their franchise.
Salisbury writes:
MacPhail, 63, is a well-respected baseball man who has longstanding relationships with Phillies chairman David Montgomery and club president Pat Gillick. His baseball resume includes serving as general manager of the Minnesota Twins teams that won World Series in 1987 and 1991, as president/CEO of the Chicago Cubs and most recently as president of baseball operations of the Baltimore Orioles. MacPhail left the Orioles when his contract expired after the 2011 season. He was very influential in the rebuilding of an Orioles club that made the postseason in 2012 and 2014.
Andy MacPhail's Held Executive Positions in Major League Baseball
| Year | Title | Team |
| 1982-1985 | Assistant to the GM | Houston Astros |
| 1985-1994 | General Manager | Minnesota Twins |
| 1995-2006 | President and CEO | Chicago Cubs |
| 2000-2002 | General Manager | Chicago Cubs |
| 2007-2011 | President of Baseball Operations | Baltimore Orioles |
Pat Gillick currently serves as the President of the organization, but he has made it publicly known that his holding of the position is only temporary.
Gillick, 77, took the role of interim President last August when David Montgomery took a medical leave of absence. He was given the official, permanent title this past January, as Montgomery took over the role as chairman of the organization. He was the general manager of the 2008 championship team, but stepped down in the offseason to give way to his assistant Ruben Amaro Jr., who still holds the role today.
Salisbury latter adds that the timeline of when a new franchise leader will be hired is not known, but it would make sense to make the transition sooner rather than later, even if it is a consultant role this season:
Bringing on a new leader — perhaps even in a consultant’s capacity — with plenty of season remaining would make sense because that person would have time to evaluate the front office and field staffs as changes are considered. That person also would be able to have a hand in several important trades and player personnel matters.
MacPhail is the son of Hall of Fame American League President Lee MacPhail, who held the title from 1974 to 1984, and is the grandson of Hall of Fame executive Larry MacPhail. Larry and Lee MacPhail are the only father-and-son members of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
In 1991 while with the Twins as general manager, Andy MacPhail was named Sporting News Executive of the Year.
While in Baltimore, MacPhail was a key figure in getting the franchise-changing, February 2008 trade done which sent Erik Bedard to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Adam Jones, Chris Tillman, and others.
Andy MacPhail's late brother, Lee MacPhail III, was the general manager of the Reading Phillies before being killed in a February 1969 car accident. He was given the role just a few months prior in November of 1968.
Matt Rappa (@mattrappa) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.
