POLL: Were The Phillies Right To Let Ruben Amaro Go?

Another long-time fixture of the Philadelphia Phillies organization is saying goodbye.

The Phillies announced on Thursday that they would not extend the contract of embattled general manager Ruben Amaro Jr.

He joins Jimmy Rollins, Cole Hamels, Chase Utley, and Jonathan Papelbon as another significant part of the organization that is now gone.

As of about 5 p.m. on Thursday, the Facebook post announcing Amaro’s departure had nearly 10,000 likes.

Assistant General Manager Scott Proefrock will take over as Interim General Manager immediately, the Phillies announced.

In the Phillies rapid decline from perennial, dynastic champion to owners of the worst record in baseball, Amaro was often seen as the scapegoat, the figurehead that fans could point to and say “that’s where it went wrong.”

Detractors said he gave contracts that were too lucrative to aging veterans, then didn’t trade them soon enough. The oft-criticized trade of Hunter Pence is frequently brought up on sports radio shows in the Philadelphia region.

“We needed a fresh perspective...and a fresh approach,” said Andy MacPhail, who will become the organization’s team president when the 2015 season concludes.

But MacPhail also implied that Amaro was not deserving of the virulence so many fans directed toward Amaro.

“In fairness it would be difficult to make the claim that Ruben Amaro did not do good work while he was here,” MacPhail said. “I really think he did.”

MacPhail particularly noted the work that Amaro did at the trade deadline to rejuvenate the team’s farm system and youth.

“This organization is going to bear the fruits of his labor for years to come.”

What do you think? How would you rate the job Amaro has done and did the Phillies make the right choice in letting him go?

Don’t forget, Amaro was the general manager since 2009, and held his position during three seasons of the Phillies reign atop the NL East.