Dissecting Ruben Amaro Jr.s’ Job as the Phillies G.M.

In 2008, the Philadelphia Phillies won the World Series, their second in the history of the franchise. Following that historic run Pat Gillick, the general manager, retired. This decision opened the door for Ruben Amaro Jr. to become the Phillies current general manager.

Based on simply on-the-field success, it appears that Amaro Jr. has done a fine job in his first three-plus seasons in the position. The Phillies went back to the World Series in 2009, went to the NLCS in 2010, and went back to the playoffs again last season. This has been the golden era of the franchise and Amaro Jr. has been right in the middle of it. 

However, Amaro Jr. has also made many questionable decisions that have put this lucrative franchise in a bit of a financial bind. 

With Cole Hamels set to become a free-agent following this season, many of Amaro Jr.s’ trades and contract extensions need to be closely examined.

One move that has greatly benefited this team was the acquisition of Roy Halladay. Nobody can question the decision to bring in the games best pitcher to Philadelphia. He has been simply brilliant in the past three seasons and has shown little signs of decline.

On the other hand, the Cliff Lee trade must be more closely examined. Bringing him into the fold in 2009 was a great success and helped the team get back to the World Series. Following the acquisition of Roy Halladay, Amaro Jr. traded Lee to Seattle. This was a massive failure and the team received average minor league talent in return for one of the game’s best pitchers.

Many of Amaro Jr.’s contract extensions are more than questionable moves. Joe Blanton signed a three -year extension under Amaro Jr. for close to $8.5 million per season. Quite frankly, this move was a head scratcher from the start and Blanton has been no better than a number four starter for this team during that time.

 

Shane Victorino has been extremely inconsistent since signing his extension. Brad Lidge signed a three year extension and was absolutely terrible during that time period. He was paid as one of the games top closers.

Above all, the Ryan Howard contract deserves the most criticism. Amaro Jr. extended Howard for reasons unknown. He was already 30 at the time, had shown signs of decline and had two seasons left on his current contract. Ruben Amaro Jr. decided this was an appropriate time to make Howard the second highest-paid first basemen in professional baseball.

According to Howard Eskin of 94WIP, Cole Hamels agent, John Boggs, is asking for a seven-year contract. A contract of this length could demand anywhere between $150-$175 million dollars on the open market. This would make him one of the highest paid pitchers in the game. One must wonder if the Phillies can afford to have another player on their roster that makes $20-plus million per season. (Spike Eskin, CBSphilly.com)

Teams in a major market don’t let their stars walk away. Especially if he’s a home-grown talent in the prime of his career. Not to mention that Hamels won the Phillies a World Series championship.

If Amaro Jr. can’t find a way to resign Hamels, he will have to do a lot more than explain it to Phillies fans; he will be explaining it to his bosses. It could cost him his job.

 

 

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