Chuck Lamar

This week has been a whirlwind for Ruben Amaro Jr. The Phillies introduced him as their general manager Monday morning. A few hours later he flew to Dana Point, Calif., for the GM meetings. He and manager Charlie Manuel drove to third-base coach Steve Smith's Southern California home Tuesday to tell Smith that he wouldn't be back. Amaro returned immediately to the GM gathering, where he attended countless meetings and talked with numerous teams until he returned to Philadelphia on Thursday.

Observations, insinuations, ruminations and unvarnished opinions . . . WHEN A BASEBALL front-office man leaves on short notice or, in the case of Chuck LaMar, no notice, baseball's unwritten law of Omerta kicks in. Shhhhhhhhhh . . . Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro's surprise statement during the second game of the Braves sweep stretched the word "terse" to its limit. But veteran Rubenologists will tell you the terser the message, the tenser the situation that provoked it. Now, The Fly on the Wall is not always right.

CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Phillies came to the table this season holding Four Aces and, as any card player knows, that's hard to beat. They're banking on Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels being the backbone of their roster for at least a few more years. But even a Rotation for the Ages eventually, well, ages. Legendary Satchel Paige, who joked that he might pitch forever, didn't. Nobody does. Which is why it's worth taking a look at what's going on three giant steps down the food chain and more than a thousand miles from Citizens Bank Park.

Colorado Rockies manager Jim Leyland ended speculation about his future last night and confirmed that he was retiring from managing at the end of the season. Leyland, who managed the Florida Marlins to a World Series title in 1997, joined the Rockies in the off-season after managing the Marlins for two years. Colorado (62-78) has not performed up to expectations this season. Leyland has a 1,058-1,117 record as a major-league manager, including two games as interim manager of the Chicago White Sox in 1985.

The Tampa Bay Devil Rays concluded their search for a general manager yesterday, hiring Chuck LaMar to build one of baseball's two new teams from the ground up. LaMar, 38, formerly was director of minor league operations for the Pittsburgh Pirates and currently is the Atlanta Braves' assistant general manager for player personnel. He also will carry the title of senior vice president of baseball operations with the Devil Rays and begin his duties immediately with the expansion team, which begins play in 1998.

READING - Grab the stat sheet for the Reading Phillies and take a look at their leading hitter. Michael Spidale has been at or near the top of that list for so long that he is the franchise's all-time leader in hits. After a three-hit game on Friday, his average was .323, which would be his best mark at the Double A level for a season. His success has earned him a spot on the Eastern League All-Star team, but what he really wants - what they all really want - is to climb up the organizational ladder.

Former Tampa Bay Devil Rays general manager Chuck LaMar was named the Phillies' director of professional scouting yesterday. LaMar spent last season with the Washington Nationals as special assistant to the general manager and national crosschecker. "Chuck brings a lot of experience in many different capacities to our club," general manager Pat Gillick said in a statement. "We're pleased we had the opportunity to bring someone with his background into the organization. " LaMar was with the Devil Rays from its inception in 1995 through the 2005 season.

Exactly one week ago, Chuck LaMar sat in the dugout of the triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs a contented man. That's why the news late Tuesday night that LaMar had resigned after four seasons with the Phillies was absolutely shocking. He broke the news to general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. and assistant GM Benny Looper during a morning meeting that apparently started with a much different purpose in mind. "We had a meeting this morning - Benny and I and Chuck - and after having some discussions, it seemed like for Chuck the best situation for him was to go ahead and resign," Amaro said during Tuesday night's game between the Phillies and Braves.

The Phillies have Kris Benson in the fold, but is he ready to compete for a job in the rotation? Benson, who missed last season after having rotator cuff surgery March 20 on his right shoulder, yesterday agreed to a minor-league contract, which will be completed if he passes a physical today in Philadelphia. According to a source with knowledge of the negotiations, Benson can make just over $5 million in salary, signing bonus and incentives based on time on the active roster, innings pitched, and starts.

Apparently still searching for a consensus on a realignment plan, commissioner Bud Selig postponed the June meeting of baseball's owners. Selig, who had been contemplating a meeting in Detroit on June 13-14, did not set new dates. Under the realignment plan given the most attention, Arizona would move from the NL West to the AL West, Texas would move from the AL West to the AL Central and Tampa Bay would move from the AL East to the National League, which would realign into four four-team divisions with no wild-card berth.

Observations, insinuations, ruminations and unvarnished opinions . . . WHEN A BASEBALL front-office man leaves on short notice or, in the case of Chuck LaMar, no notice, baseball's unwritten law of Omerta kicks in. Shhhhhhhhhh . . . Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro's surprise statement during the second game of the Braves sweep stretched the word "terse" to its limit. But veteran Rubenologists will tell you the terser the message, the tenser the situation that provoked it. Now, The Fly on the Wall is not always right.

Exactly one week ago, Chuck LaMar sat in the dugout of the triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs a contented man. That's why the news late Tuesday night that LaMar had resigned after four seasons with the Phillies was absolutely shocking. He broke the news to general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. and assistant GM Benny Looper during a morning meeting that apparently started with a much different purpose in mind. "We had a meeting this morning - Benny and I and Chuck - and after having some discussions, it seemed like for Chuck the best situation for him was to go ahead and resign," Amaro said during Tuesday night's game between the Phillies and Braves.

Chuck LaMar, the Phillies' assistant general manager in charge of player development, has a checklist of goals before the start of every season. "First and foremost, we want to do everything we can to help our major-league club win," LaMar said. "That's what this game is all about. " Check. Rookies Vance Worley and Mike Stutes spent time in the Phillies' minor-league system this year, but they spent far more time playing vital roles for the best team in baseball. Add in the contributions of young lefthanded reliever Antonio Bastardo and the system's ability to produce the prospects needed to get rightfielder Hunter Pence at the trade deadline, and the minor-league system has far exceeded expectations.

The Phillies' minor-league system has played a major role in the team's being able to acquire Cliff Lee (the first time), Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, and Hunter Pence. Even after trading so many prospects, however, the system isn't depleted. "The Phillies after these trades are probably in the middle of the pack in terms of where their farm system is," said Jim Callis, the executive editor of Baseball America. "Most of the best prospects aren't ready to step in next year. " Still, Callis said he was impressed by what the system has been able to accomplish.

English composition instructors advise, "Begin your essay with a strong opening statement. " So here goes: Reading's Steve Susdorf is profoundly underrated. Take a look at that .336 batting average this season through Sunday's action. Better yet, ponder the .303 career average he's compiled since the Phillies drafted him in the 19th round out of Fresno State in 2008. "He's been on fire," said Phils assistant general manager Chuck LaMar, who oversees the minor leagues.

Joe Savery is back where he was last season with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, but under much different circumstances. In the place where his career appeared to be flaming out as a starting pitcher, Savery, the Phillies' 2007 first-round draft choice, has revived himself in the bullpen. In between pitching assignments, the 25-year-old attempted to reinvent himself as a hitter this year. "It's certainly been a roller coaster," Savery said in a phone interview. Savery's dizzying baseball season has featured three stops and what he hopes is a career-altering position change.

READING - Grab the stat sheet for the Reading Phillies and take a look at their leading hitter. Michael Spidale has been at or near the top of that list for so long that he is the franchise's all-time leader in hits. After a three-hit game on Friday, his average was .323, which would be his best mark at the Double A level for a season. His success has earned him a spot on the Eastern League All-Star team, but what he really wants - what they all really want - is to climb up the organizational ladder.

Jarred Cosart pitched a perfect inning in the Florida State League All-Star Game last month and he's going to get a chance to do the same in the Futures Game a week from Sunday in Phoenix. Those two things are good indications that the best pitching prospect in the Phillies organization is having a fine season with single-A Clearwater. An even better sign, however, is the number of innings Cosart has pitched for the Threshers. That total stood at 87 after his start Friday, and assistant general manager Chuck LaMar cares a lot more about that number than Cosart's 6-6 record and 3.10 ERA. "That's the most important stat to look for with Jarred Cosart," LaMar said.

O bservations, ruminations, insinuations and downright opinions:     Latest flash on Chuck LaMar   It didn't take long for the largesse of Phillies minor league boss Chuck LaMar to pay dividends for the Yankees. Desperate for a starting pitcher to face the Rangers yesterday, New York GM Brian Cashman had good reports on minor league journeyman righthander Brian Gordon, who had emerged as the ace of Ryne Sandberg's IronPigs staff. The 32-year-old was the International League ERA leader, but the Phillies had signed him last season as a minor league free agent.

LET'S TAKE a closer look. Closer, as in the guy who pitches the ninth inning and saves the game. And why not? Phillies closer Ryan Madson (yes, we're calling him that now) is a free agent after the season. Brad Lidge and Jose Contreras are profoundly iffy right now. With minor leaguers, it's tough to predict who will have the stuff to someday close big-league games. But one guy's credentials appear to be strengthening with each passing week. That would be Reading righthander Justin De Fratus.