PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia Phillies have hired veteran baseball executive Andy MacPhail to be their team president, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Monday.
MacPhail replaces Pat Gillick, who helped choose his successor. MacPhail won two World Series as general manager of the Minnesota Twins in 1987 and 1991 and later served as president of the Chicago Cubs and Baltimore Orioles.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team had not yet announced the decision. The Phillies scheduled a news conference for Monday afternoon.
The Phillies have the worst record in the majors and front-office changes have been expected. Ryne Sandberg resigned as manager last week and general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. is in the final season of his contract.
MacPhail is tasked with rebuilding a team that dominated the NL East from 2007-11, winning five straight division titles, two pennants and the 2008 World Series. The Phillies are coming off consecutive 73-win seasons and are on pace to lose 105 games.
Gillick stepped down as general manager after the 2008 season and served as an adviser before replacing David Montgomery as president in August 2014. The 77-year-old Hall of Fame executive is likely to remain in the front office in some role.
MacPhail was Minnesota's GM from 1985-94. He was the Cubs president from 1994-2006 and helped them to two post-season appearances. He was Baltimore's president of baseball operations from 2007-11 and helped pave the way for the Orioles to return to the post-season in 2012.
MacPhail inherits an organization that's in disarray. He has to decide whether he wants to retain Amaro or hire a new GM and has to select a new manager to replace interim skipper Pete MacKanin.
MacPhail also has a big challenge in moving high-priced former stars Ryan Howard and Chase Utley and finding the right return in potential trades for ace Cole Hamels and closer Jonathan Papelbon.
