With the list reportedly narrowed to Pat Gillick, Gerry Hunsicker and the two in-house candidates, a report in today’s Daily News indicates a new GM could be installed by midweek.
Marcus Hayes reported about the possibility of Phillies president David Montgomery making his decision sooner rather than later since Gillick and Hunsicker have been courted by other teams.
The Dodgers received permission from the Mariners to interview Gillick for their vacant GM position, and Hunsicker has put the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on standby while talking with the Phils.
Beer Leaguer take
This wasn’t the wide, all-encompassing list I had originally hoped for. By my count, the manager’s “search” had twice the candidates, and a broader spectrum of choices.
However, with the list all but whittled down to the final four, I’m pulling for a quick finish. The GM meetings are scheduled for next week, and with free agency upon them, it’s time for the team to move forward.
Baring a bigger offer from the Rays, Husicker could be the choice. He would be my choice.
Hunsicker, whose stamp can be seen all over the NL champion Astros, is more than qualified to take the reigns of a comparable team with comparable resources. The 55-year-old Collegeville native resigned from the Astros two seasons ago citing differences with owner Drayton McLean.
Hunsicker, Monty discuss saber-whatnow?
Good news for well-reasoned purists and stat heads alike if Hunsicker is installed as the next GM. Monty sat down with the Inquirer’s Todd Zolecki and discussed the old vs. new school:
"If you're young, you're more into statistics," Montgomery said. "If you're older, you're more into the head and feel. I actually think that it's a hybrid of those two situations. Gerry and I talked at length about this. I don't think the needle should point all one way or the other. I think, shame on you in this day and age if you don't use statistics to evaluate. But shame on you if you don't take a look at a person and try to know everything you can about them before you sign them as an amateur or before you trade for them or whatever. I think there's great value in each. There are a lot of theories there."
Truth be told, I'm for the Phillies getting younger top to bottom. I'd like to see them hire Amaro, trade Bobby for a young pitcher or catcher, release Cormier, move Thome, dump Bell and make you director of media relations. For my next trick....
Posted by: Tom Goodman | Monday, October 31, 2005 at 11:03 AM
Why not add DePodesta to the interview list?
Posted by: Tom Durso | Monday, October 31, 2005 at 12:22 PM
pat gillick is stealing my optimism, probably to trade it against the strong canadian dollar and make an emotional profit. damn that hoser.
Posted by: gr | Monday, October 31, 2005 at 12:25 PM
I agree with Tom Durso. With DePodesta available, he should get a call.
Posted by: Billy Mac | Monday, October 31, 2005 at 12:29 PM
I can't imagine Gillick would be good for Philly. When he was out here in Seattle, he was one for not making moves at the trade deadline, and for signing questionable free agents that might help the team win NOW, rather than bothering with draft picks and building up the farm system at all. I don't think that syncs well with what Philly needs... or am I completely reading it wrong?
DePodesta is one of my heroes, but given what the LA press did to him, I can't imagine he'd fare any better in Philly.
Posted by: Deanna | Monday, October 31, 2005 at 02:10 PM
GR - damn your dry commentary. First time I've laughed at the Phillies mess in over two months.
Everyone else - I'd be surprised to see the shortlist changed right now, although I would install DePodesta ahead of antonetti on my ballot card on the basis that he's had to deal with the other side of being a GM - not just the organisational hard work and talent analysis in all its various forms, but arguing with the owners, the media . . . I reckon if he's a smart guy, he comes out of it a better GM. And everyone says he's smart.
Sadly I've filled out my ballot card, and it's stamped and posted, so I can't change my mind. Dammit.
Posted by: Oisin | Monday, October 31, 2005 at 03:40 PM
I'll stick with Hunsicker in my vote.
Posted by: theratopguy | Monday, October 31, 2005 at 03:42 PM
Hunsicker sits at the top of my card, but I've gone 1-5 and antonetti sits in at number 3.
Posted by: Oisin | Monday, October 31, 2005 at 03:55 PM
I like Paul D, but his tenure in LA might have proven the Peter Principal. Now he might be great as a #2 to Hunsicker.
Posted by: That Dude | Monday, October 31, 2005 at 04:43 PM
Goodman: If Amaro isn't hired by the Phils this time around, he will certainly be hired next time ... if the Phils work out a way for him to stay under the new GM. That is my take.
The newly available Epstein presents an interesting option.
Posted by: J. Weitzel | Monday, October 31, 2005 at 08:15 PM
Jason, there's no way the Phils will shell out 1.5 million a year for Epstein. I just can't see them opening their coffers that much. Besides, according to his interview in the Globe, he's gonna probably sit out for a year. What a mess that is up in Boston, I think they pretty much screwed the pooch.
And I don't understand all the enthusiasm for DePodesta either. The Dodgers have never been more screwed up than now. I mean, how could you put Milton Bradley and Jeff Kent together on the same team? I'll bet they end up with Gillick.
Pretty soon, Mr. Montgomery will figure out that Hunsicker is the best option (I hope).
Posted by: theragtopguy | Monday, October 31, 2005 at 10:40 PM
Harriet Miers is out there, too.
Posted by: Matt | Tuesday, November 01, 2005 at 03:09 PM