The Sporting News’ Ken Rosenthal is reporting that former Seattle/Toronto/Baltimore GM Pat Gillick has taken himself out of consideration for the Los Angeles vacancy.
Gillick, 68, is on the verge of getting the Phillies’ job over former Astros GM Gerry Hunsicker, who is the frontrunner to be the senior consultant the Devil Rays are seeking.
The Dodgers had targeted Gillick as a possible replacement for Paul DePodesta, whom they fired Saturday. Their next step could be to pursue Theo Epstein, who resigned as Red Sox GM Monday. Nationals GM Jim Bowden is interested in the Dodgers’ opening, and Padres GM Kevin Towers might be as well.
Another possibility would be Bobby Valentine, who likely would require both manager and GM responsibilities to leave the Chibe Lotte Marines, the team he recently led to the Japan Series title. Valentine is earning more than $3 million per year as a manager in Japan and could be offered an even more lucrative extension soon.
Phillies CEO Dave Montgomery is one slick guy (?). He recognized the clamor for an outside GM to be brought in, but couldnt go quite as far as tacitly admitting that his Phillies FO has licked scrotum since him and his partnership took over in the early 80’s by acquiesing to a complete organizational overhaul. So, he brings in 68-year-old Pat Gillick for what appears to be a seat-warming stint where Gillick can hopefully wheedle post-season play for the Phils and then after he is done, Monty can re-install one of his flunkies (Arbuckle, Amaro) as GM. This move is being met by mixed reaction. Those who wanted a complete FO overhaul and for Monty to step back are hopping mad, others look at Gillicks record and give him the benefit of the doubt. Given the Monty Hand of Doom that has been the Phillies for the last 20+ years, I would tend towards the former.