Phil’s assistant GM signs contract extension

The Phillies made a big move extending the contract of one of their current stars. It’s not Ryan Howard or even a current Phillies player. The Phils have agreed to a contract extension with assistant GM Mike Arbuckle. Arbuckle now has a contract with the Phillies through the 2009 season.

"It was a quick negotiation," Arbuckle said. "I'm not interested in going anywhere. It's a great situation here, and I like where we're heading." That’s great news for Phillies fans because Arubckle has done a great job as the Phillies executive in charge of scouting and player development.

Arbuckle doesn’t get a lot of media coverage and has been a huge force in the sculpting of the 2007 Phillies. The number of current Phillies stars who have risen through the farm system is a testament to Arbuckle’s expertise as a baseball executive. Current Phillies drafted by Arbuckle include Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Brett Myers, Jimmy Rollins, Pat Burrell, Adam Eaton, Cole Hamels, Geoff Geary, and Ryan Madson. The key to any consistently successful franchise is having a strong farm system. The Phillies don’t have a dearth of highly touted prospects but the players who make it to the Majors perform well.

Arbuckle has interviewed for the general manager’s job with Boston, Toronto, and Pittsburgh. He has also been passed over for the Phillies GM position twice. Fortunately for the Phillies he has been content helping make the Phillies into a winner.

Sources:
Notes: Coste entering familiar territory
By Ken Mandel / MLB.com

Picture of Mike Arbuckle from scouts.com