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.