Orioles President of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail has "reached a decision on his future" with the team, and sources indicated that MacPhail "plans to leave the organization after his contract expires Oct. 31," according to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY. MacPhail, who has been with the team since '07, plans to "wait until season's end before announcing his intentions." Nightengale notes the Orioles are "one of several franchises that might be changing GMs." The Cubs "are targeting four candidates to replace" former GM Jim Hendry, while the Astros, "whose sale to Jim Crane has been stalled, and the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are in bankruptcy court, also could change GMs" (USA TODAY, 8/31). MacPhail "declined to comment" on the USA Today report, but said, "You can get two sources to say the moon is made out of green cheese." In Baltimore, Jeff Zrebiec notes most people "close to MacPhail feel that he's entering his final months in his role with the Orioles." MacPhail's "refusal to publicly express interest in returning -- or approach [Owner Peter] Angelos about a contract extension -- has been interpreted as a sign that he is not interested in coming back." Zrebiec notes that point of view "has been fueled even further by the fact that Angelos and manager Buck Showalter have been meeting regularly -- with MacPhail's blessing -- about the state of the club" (Baltimore SUN, 8/31). Also in Baltimore, Dan Connolly writes, "It would be a surprise if he returned to his post. There's been conjecture that maybe he takes another, less visible role with the Orioles. But I think the safe money has always been on MacPhail leaving altogether" (BALTIMORESUN.com, 8/31). CBSSPORTS.com's Danny Knobler said that MacPhail "had been expected to resign or be fired all season, with Angelos and MacPhail fed up with each other" (CBSSPORTS.com, 8/30).
