Categories: News

What will Andy MacPhail’s role be moving forward?

Philadelphia Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski confirmed Tuesday that while former general manager Matt Klentak remains employed by the organization and can be consulted, he doesn’t have a day-to-day role in baseball operations.

Andy MacPhail is the Phillies’ current president. (IconSportswire)

So what about Andy MacPhail? President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski addressed the future of MacPhail, the current club president, Tuesday.

“First of all, I’ve known Andy forever, and I’ve talked to Andy often. Andy runs the business part of the operation, and he reports to John [Middleton], I report to John too,” Dombrowski said Tuesday. “But I also would be foolish not to talk to Andy about a lot of things because he’s been here for a long time and he has tremendous baseball abilities. So, I have talked to him often, but when we talk about, let’s say a player, he has made it clear ‘Hey Dave, that’s your decision, those are yours.’ So, you keep him informed, I’m sure he’ll keep me informed on what takes place, but he’s made it clear that that’s your end of it to run.”

MacPhail’s contract runs through 2021, and the 67-year-old has made no bones about his plans to relinquish his current role upon the deal’s completion. Prior to Dombrowski’s hiring, MacPhail signaled a willingness to step aside from his position as club president earlier if it would help the Phillies to land an executive that would improve their organization. With Dombrowski now in the fold, will their be a title change or something in that vein for MacPhail?

“Well, he’s president of the Phillies,” Dombrowski said. “Again, that’s where titles can be different. Years ago, you used to have the president of a team and a general manager, who was the head of the baseball operations. A lot of clubs have changed the head of baseball operations to be president of baseball operations. So, I wouldn’t think Andy would change his title, it will be up to him”

In any event, the Phillies front office has gotten quite the makeover in recent weeks. In addition to Dombrowski, the Phillies promoted Sam Fuld to general manager Tuesday, and Jorge Velandia to assistant general manager. At least for the time being, it appears that holdovers, such as Ned Rice, will remain in the front office as well.

And while different conversations could take place behind closed doors, Dombrowski signaled in his media session Tuesday that he’d prefer MacPhail not retire after the 2021 season.

“I’ve heard that this may be his last year, that he’s told people that. I’ll kind of kick him and say ‘I hope that you change your mind, and stay with us in that respect’ so he could keep doing that role.”