Pat Gillick’s Six Words at Ryne Sandberg’s Press Conference Dictates Major Changes for Philadelphia Phillies

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Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

There were the only six words uttered at the Ryne Sandberg resignation press conference by Pat Gillick, but those six words indicate what a state of flux the Philadelphia Phillies organization is in right now. “I can’t answer that question now,” said Gillick, the team’s current President.

That was Gillick’s answer to a perfectly good question about who would name Sandberg’s permanent successor. Since bench coach Pete Mackanin was named the interim replacement, it was a darn good question to ask who would name the permanent replacement. The fact that Gillick does not know says a lot about the Phillies being a rudderless ship right now. Gillick should know because he is in charge of the baseball operations of the team, overseeing current GM Ruben Amaro Jr.

The fact that he does not know, combined with the recent rumors that Andy MacPhail will be named the team’s President soon, says a lot because that means MacPhail will make a couple important decisions when he comes aboard. One would be the fate of Amaro, and another would be Sandberg’s permanent replacement. It certainly will not be Mackanin, an uninspiring career bench coach. Sandberg’s permanent replacement will likely be handpicked by MacPhail or by the GM who MacPhail designates. Whatever happens, MacPhail also figures to have a major hand in the baseball decisions, like trades.

With a couple more important decisions looming — who will trade Cole Hamels, for example — MacPhail better come on board very soon. Gillick might know the answer to that question, but he is not giving it away yet.

Mike Gibson is a Phillies writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @papreps , “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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