Phillies fire general manager Ruben Amaro

The Phillies have decided not to renew the contract of general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. for next season, according to a team announcement. Assistant general manager Scott Proefrock will take over on an interim basis, with the search for a permanent solution to begin immediately.

The firing of Amaro has seemed imminent for years, as the Phillies have faltered in the standings and fans have continued calling for the executive's head. Philadelphia hired Andy MacPhail as its president of baseball operations over the summer, and he was never considered likely to hold onto Amaro as the general manager.

Amaro, 50, spent seven years as the Phillies' general manager, winning three straight NL East titles before leading one of the worst teams in baseball over the past three seasons. After years of trade rumors and inactivity, Amaro made significant noise over the last year on the trade market by dealing away veterans Marlon Byrd, Jimmy Rollins, Cole Hamels, Jonathan Papelbon and Chase Utley while re-building the Phillies' farm system. All told, Amaro's tenure in Philadelphia is one of the most unique executive tenures in baseball over the past decade.

The Phillies join the Red Sox, Angels, Brewers and Mariners as clubs searching for a general manager in what will be one of the busiest front office markets in recent memory.