N.Y. Times: Architect of Phillies, Gillick Will Listen to Anyone’s Plans (RR)

“Listen to Anyone’s Plans*” (*cackles like a mad scientist)

When Gillick came to Philadelphia, he found a team on a treadmill. For five seasons, the Phillies had won 80 to 88 games and had not reached the playoffs. After another near miss in 2006, they have made consecutive postseason appearances for the first time since 1980 and ’81.

Gillick has made mistakes, like signing starter Adam Eaton and trading Gavin Floyd to the Chicago White Sox for Freddy García. But other big moves have worked, like dealing for Brad Lidge and shipping out Bobby Abreu, which saved more than $20 million and cleared a spot for Shane Victorino.

Most notable is Gillick’s knack for finding complementary players. From Jayson Werth to Chad Durbin to Scott Eyre to Greg Dobbs, Gillick is skilled at finding bargain contributors.

“There’s some guys we’ve really zeroed in on, not the sexy, big-name guys that everybody knows about,” Amaro said. “But for the piece that’s going to help our club be better, he is fantastic. It’s really helped getting a guy like Matt Stairs or J. C. Romero — the pieces that give your team some marginal advantage.”