Ex-Phillies GM Pat Gillick talks trades while inducted into Hall of Fame

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. - With the keys dangling from his fingers, Pat Gillick decided to toss control of the car to the younger, less-experienced driver.

Five years ago, the former Phillies general manager pulled the trigger on a series of moves that gave his team a face lift and set the tone for the future.

Gillick dealt away key components Bobby Abreu and David Bell along with pitcher Corey Lidle at the trade deadline in 2006. Before the season he traded first baseman Jim Thome, and at season's end he allowed catcher Mike Lieberthal to walk via free agency.

"Most of the trades that I made were trades to give other players opportunities," said Gillick, who was enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday afternoon. "When Abreu left, that gave [Shane] Victorino an opportunity. When Thome left, that gave [Ryan] Howard a chance to play."

The results have paid huge dividends. Gillick's vision to turn a clubhouse over to the franchise's younger players led to four straight division titles; two pennants; and, most notably, a world title. He retired from the Phillies following the 2008 season and moved into a senior adviser role under Ruben Amaro Jr.

In Gillick's first year at the helm, he observed that Bobby Abreu was a "low-energy guy." The 73-year-old said he has respect for his former outfielder, as did the rest of the team. But he said the Phillies needed more energy, and that was being roadblocked by Abreu's presence.

"I think [it allowed] them to sort of come out of their shell," Gillick said. "[Chase] Utley and Victorino and [Jimmy] Rollins to come out of their shell and bring a little bit more energy to the club. I think that got things moving in the right direction."

Gillick then complemented those cornerstones with players acquired through waivers and small trades. The chances he took on players such as Jamie Moyer, J.C. Romero, and Jayson Werth outshined the disappointments of Ryan Franklin, Freddie Garcia, and Geoff Jenkins.

The high-octane offense built by Gillick led the team to the postseason in 2007, their first appearance since 1993. In each of his three years at the helm, Gillick's team finished in the top three of runs scored and home runs.

"We bludgeoned everyone to death. We scored a lot of runs," Gillick said. "Now we're more of a pitching-oriented club. [Amaro] has kind of changed things over. There's two different looks really to the club now."

As the current club nears this season's trade deadline, Gillick said the team will look at ways to improve. He said if a piece is available, he thinks Amaro will "move on it for sure." The Phillies have been rumored to be in the market for a reliever and a righthanded bat.

"You think you have a good club, but you can always get better," Gillick said.

As rumors swirl around Gillick's future, he said he isn't interested in becoming a general manager again. But earlier in the weekend he said he would consider moving into a president's role, a position for which the Chicago Cubs are reportedly targeting him.

Contact staff writer Matt Breen at mbreen@phillynews.com or @matt_breen on Twitter.