:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/37856848/453973862.0.jpg)
The Phillies' organization has been in a flux in recent years, and the tragic news that president David Montgomery will be taking a medical leave of absence has only worsened the club's situation. Montgomery's interim replacement, Hall of Fame general manager Pat Gillick, is now faced with some tough questions to answer, though the job security of the club's top brass does not appear to be among them. Talking to Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Gillick stated that he "does not anticipate sweeping changes", while also reaffirming that both general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. and field manager Ryne Sandberg will remain on the job for 2015.
The question of whether or not Amaro is on the hot seat has been around for what seems like years now, due to his multitude of mismanagement in recent years that has led to the Phillies' recent downwards spiral. Amaro, who is already under contract for 2015, is generally considered to be among the worst general managers in baseball, so it comes as somewhat of a surprise that the organization intends to keep him after what will be a second straight losing season and three year playoff drought, despite owning one of the highest payrolls in the league.
Sandberg has taken some heat lately as a number of his players have openly questioned him. However, it is Sandberg's first full year on the job, having taken over for the fired Charlie Manuel just last August, and he is still under contract through at least the 2016 season. Under Sandberg, the Phillies have gone 83-96, but, given the talent (or lack thereof) on the Philles' roster, it is hardly justifiable to assign him with a substantial portion of the blame for Philadelphia's lackluster performance.
Montgomery has been the team's president since 1997, and oversaw the Phillies' decade-long rebuild that culminated in back-to-back World Series appearances in 2008 and 2009, including a victory in 2008. The 68-year-old has been dealing with jaw bone cancer, and recently underwent surgery to remove the growth. While it seems that Gillick will run the club over the next month, it is possible that Montgomery will be able to reassume his duties at season's end.