Phillies Offseason Talk

[Rome]

More love from Big Dave:

Dear Phillies Fan:
Late this afternoon, a conference call with the media was held to update them on the search for a new General Manager. I wanted to take this opportunity to give you a summary of the conference call.

During the past two weeks, more than 40 candidates have either been identified by us or have directly or indirectly expressed interest in the position. After reviewing and evaluating this list, we have selected a group of individuals for one-on-one interviews.

Thus far, I have conducted three interviews: Mike Arbuckle, our Assistant GM, Scouting & Player Development, on Wednesday; Gerry Hunsicker, former GM of the Houston Astros, on Thursday and Pat Gillick, former GM of the Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners and the current Special Consultant in Seattle, today.

I expect to continue this process through the weekend, including interviewing Ruben Amaro, Jr. on Sunday, followed by one or two more interviews early next week and more, if necessary, with the hopes of identifying our new GM as soon as possible. As I've indicated, getting the right person is of the utmost importance.

On another matter, a question arose concerning the dimensions of Citizens Bank Park. We have always wanted to have a ballpark that plays fair. After extensive study and charting every home run the past two seasons, we have decided to make changes to the existing left field wall. Details on this project will be forthcoming.

As always, thank you for your interest in the Phillies.

Sincerely,
David Montgomery

[MDS]

manny ramirez wants to be traded again.

thome and burrell for ramirez and schilling. boom.

[Geowhizzer]

manny ramirez wants to be traded again.

thome and burrell for ramirez and schilling. boom.

Why would the Sawx need Thome?

[MDS]

make up for mannys bat? he and ortiz could split first/dh duties. i dont know, just a tip off my ass thought. its not like its an actual rumor.

[BigEd76]

Per Zolecki today, the Phils will interview Indians asst. GM Chris Antonetti, who is considered one of the up-and-coming GMs in baseball...

[Sgt PSN]

Per Zolecki today, the Phils will interview Indians asst. GM Chris Antonetti, who is considered one of the up-and-coming GMs in baseball...

Up and coming GM's are great for up and coming teams.  This team isn't an up and coming team.  Unless there is a plan to blow up the entire roster and only keep a couple of the young guys around to build around then I'd prefer to see an established GM brought in.  Of course, damn near anyone would be better than Wade. 

[MDS]

bring back wade

[Rome]

bring back wade

Holler!

[BigEd76]

After the 20 minutes of Eagles coverage to open CSN SportsNite, there will be a Matt Yallof interview with Monty.  Not expecting anything newsworthy, but hey...

[MDS]

but hey what did he say, okay?

[BigEd76]

MDS already saw what I posted on PP, but for those that don't go there:

It was Lieberthal's annual Halloween party for the Children's Hospital, and Yallof interviewed Monty, Amaro and Lieberthal on a few items.

-- Monty maintains that Amaro and Arbuckle do not have any advantages over an outsider, and that their ideas don't necessarily agree with what Wade's ideas were.  Amaro later agreed with this.

-- When asked if a new GM would agree to less control than what they've had in the past, Monty said that "off the top of his head" that wouldn't be the case, but countered that both Hunsicker and Gillick were highly interested in the position, so it must mean that the Phillies are attractive right now. 

-- Monty says that it isn't important to have a GM by the winter meetings next week in California....it's more important to have the right GM.

-- Amaro says that working on a new deal for Wagner will continue to be his job because he's been the point man on new deals for the last 7 years and that's what he does, and he said it's the #1 priority for the team whether he's there or he leaves.  When Monty was asked if the contract stuff gives Amaro an advantage for the new GM spot, he said it didn't and that Amaro would likely continue to be an assistant GM even if a new GM was here.

-- Lieberthal is happy that the fences are going to be moved because he was tired of seeing popups land in the 1st or 2nd row....it was deflating...sad....

[MDS]

i saw it after i posted here.

[Sgt PSN]

-- Lieberthal is happy that the fences are going to be moved because he was tired of seeing popups land in the 1st or 2nd row....it was deflating...sad....

But the popups that he saw land in the 1st or 2nd row were all his. 

[MDS]

but the crappy pitches that he called that landed there were all his

[PhillyPhreak54]

Both papers are saying that Monty could hire a guy by Wednesday because the Dodgers are going to start looking at people. They have interest in Gillick.

Just hire Hunsicker already, dammit!