Phillies fans may have thought this to themselves, but the Phillies interim president is being very clear: Do not expect the Phillies to contend anytime soon. In an interview with John Clark on CSN Philly, Gillick spoke about the rocky road the Phillies face ahead:
"I think where we are right now, it's probably a couple years," Gillick told CSN's John Clark in a 1-on-1 interview Thursday. "I wouldn't think [2015] or [2016,] '15 or '16 I don't think is in the cards. I think somewhere around 2017 or 2018."
Gillick said that the team is more "rebuilding than reloading" at this point.
Gillick made a similar statement back in 2006 while serving as general manager. After the Phillies traded Bobby Abreu to the New York Yankees, Gillick suggested the Phillies would not contend for two years. But, new starting right fielder Shane Victorino and the Phillies young core rebounded enough in August that the Phillies added starter Jamie Moyer, utility man Jeff Conine and infielder Jose Hernandez. The team missed the playoffs, but the moves helped propel the Phillies into contention in 2007.
Will the same thing happen in 2015? Let us see how the rest of the offseason goes before making that judgment.
