Yesterday, CSNPhilly.com's John Clark sat down with Phillies Interim President, Pat Gillick. The former GM of the Phillies, who helped build the squad that won the title in '08, said that the Phils were not leaning towards retooling, they were focusing moreso on a rebuilding. Gillick said he doesn't expect the team to contend until at least 2017 or 2018.
After two straight years of 89-loss seasons, it is clear the Phillies need a different plan moving forward. Yesterday was the first time any Phillies executive really embraced the word "rebuilding", especially after David Montgomery and Ruben Amaro Jr. said that was not in the plans. They wanted to make small improvements to keep a winning club on the field.
After hearing Pat Gillick's words yesterday, CSNPhilly spoke to Ruben Amaro, who surprisingly supported everything that was said, which is news to any Phillies fan who knows anything about Ruben. (via CSNPhilly.com)
“It didn't surprise me that Pat said that,” Amaro said Friday. “I talk to him all the time. We talk about it a lot internally.”
Amaro, who technically now works for Gillick, said he was completely on board with the idea of rebuilding and the need to do it.
“Different times,” he said. “We are doing things differently and we will do things differently. It’s clear we made an effort to go for it many times and now we have to look at it in a different way and that's what we're planning on doing.
“It's clear there's room for us to get younger and give opportunities to younger players and build this thing from within.
“We have intelligent fans and I think many of them like change and I think that’s what we need to do.
“I believe in the people I work with, Pat and the ownership group. I'm looking forward to doing some things differently.”
The Phillies needs are clear. Get younger and trade assets, even if it means eating money. Buster Olney of ESPN recently reported the Phillies have been reaching out to teams about their veterans and have expressed plenty of willingness to eat salary if need be. Ryan Howard is the first name that comes to mind. Still owed $60 million on his contract, many believe Howard and the Phillies would be served better if he could be dealt to an AL team. Since his achillies injury, his body hasn't been 100% and a schedule that allows him some days not to play first base for nine innings may benefit his career in the long term.
The Phillies have also emerged as frontrunners for Cuban defector Yasmany Tomas. The 23-year-old outfielder would certainly be a nice start to a rebuild, but would like cost the Phillies upwards of $100 million, which is a ton of cash for a player who is unproven in the majors. Amaro wouldn't comment on the Phillies interest in Tomas, just that they have seen him and that there has been dialogue with his agent.
What happens this offseason could go a long way in deciding the fate of Ruben Amaro Jr. with the Phillies. Everyone and their mom's know that he is on the hot seat entering the last year of his contract this season. While his job is likely safe for the time being, Ruben hasn't been told that the moves he makes or doesn't make this offseason will affect his job moving forward. (via CSNPhilly.com)
“I haven't been given any indication that this would impact my future and my job to get us back on track,” Amaro said. “I love this challenge and the opportunity to do it and I believe in our guys and the administration. And this is a good challenge to have. I view it as exciting for me.
“I told my kids when I took job the fans will love me for a few years and hate me for a few years. That's secondary with what needs to be done for the organization and to improve it and that's the focus.”
The next step for the Phillies will be organizational meetings, which will take place i nthe coming week. After these meetings, there will likely be more clarity on their plans are moving forward. Amaro didn't hint as to whether him or Pat Gillick would be running the meetings, just that the two would be working together in the efforts for the future. (via CSNPhilly.com)
“I love working with Pat,” Amaro said. “I loved it the first time and I love it now.
“I'm the GM and Pat works with me and I work with him. We work together. I don't think it matters who works for whom and who does what. It's about getting the Phillies back on track and I'm confident we can do that. My role hasn't changed. Nothing about my role has changed.
“We did the same thing with David. The relationship is no different. David was consulted on 99 percent of the decisions we made. He was aware of 99 percent of the decisions we made. It's no different.”
Amaro said Montgomery's health was improving. He was asked if Montgomery would be returning at some point.
“I certainly hope so,” he said. “We miss him in this organization. He's as good a boss as you can get.”
If there is anything to gain from Amaro's comments, it is that he has finally come to the realization that the stars that brought the city glory years ago will likely not be able to repeat that at this point. Changes are in store for the Phillies, there is no questioning that, but what moves happen first is a guessing game for any fan. That's not including the resigning of Jerome Williams and Grady Sizemore, of course.
Brandon Apter, Publishing Editor for Philliedelphia.com
