Pat Gillick is a Hall of Famer. Phillies fans know first hand just how Gillick's keen insights into constructing a team make all the difference in the world. When Gillick took the helm of the Phillies back in 2006, he surprised many and kept Charlie Manuel as the Phillies manager. As Gillick assumes a temporary role in overseeing baseball operations for the Phillies, he will keep the Phillies' current field and operational management in place.
Gillick told Todd Zolecki of MLB.com that both Manager Ryne Sandberg and General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr.'s jobs are safe:
"These are basically the same people that made the decisions when we won five division championships from 2007 through '11. These are the same people making the decisions. So all of a sudden, Ryne wasn't here, but Ruben was here. All of a sudden, he didn't get dumb overnight. It's just right now, we're in a situation where we know where we're headed, and it's going to take some time to get us where we want to go."
Granted, Amaro is going into the final year of his contract. He may have to enter the season as a lame duck, and that's statement enough from Phillies ownership.
Gillick did promise that there will be changes in the Phillies players on the field:
"We have to get younger; we have to get younger players into the lineup," Gillick said. "But at the same time, a tweak here or a tweak there might make you a little more competitive. I think you can do both. You can make some changes in your ballclub and bring guys along, and at the same time be more competitive than we are."
Gillick mentioned that he's part-temporary caretaker and in part one who can create change. Gillick stepping in for Montgomery could indicate that Montgomery is really not well, or, they are simply using this as an opportunity to have a Hall of Famer carefully assess the Phillies organization and move it along. It appears that the latter will be the case.
Fans may really resent having Amaro around, while others wish to see Sandberg go. If Gillick gets winning players onto the field and we can enjoy the games a bit more, I do not think that anyone will be worried about who the GM or manager is.
