In the wave of personnel changes in Major League Baseball since the season ended, the Philadelphia Phillies have been quiet in their pursuit of a new general manager, until now.
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Phillies Setting Up Interviews
Friday, Oct. 9
According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Phillies have scheduled interviews with MLB senior vice president of baseball operations Kim Ng and Cleveland Indians vice president of player personnel Ross Atkins for their vacant GM position.
Heyman’s report mentions that former Marlins general manager Larry Beinfest has already interviewed with the team and other candidates could be in play as Phillies president Pat Gillick tries to get the right person for the job.
Former general manager Ruben Amaro lost his job when the Phillies decided not to renew his contract after the season.
Ng is the most unique candidate because she has interviewed for GM jobs in the past, including having two interviews with the San Diego Padres last year before the team hired A.J. Preller. She is seeking to become the first female general manager in this country’s major sports.
Heyman also noted that MLB “isn’t thrilled” with the lack of minority candidates interviewing for any openings, with commissioner Rob Manfred quoted in the piece as saying, “diversity…is a high priority for MLB.”
Manfred did add that he was “comfortable” with decisions made by clubs in the past, hiring the person they viewed as the best and most qualified for the job.
The Phillies are in a unique situation because they have torn everything down and are trying to build it back up. There are still problematic contracts on the roster, notably Ryan Howard, but last year was the first time it appeared there was a conscious effort to replenish the farm system and get younger.
Philadelphia’s MLB results didn’t look good, posting the league’s worst record (63-99), but the new general manager will walk into a job with some young talent (Aaron Nola, Maikel Franco) in the big leagues and a lot more—notably, shortstop J.P. Crawford—coming through the system.
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