Nov. 2 -- READER POLL: "WHAT'S NEXT?"

BY SCOTT LAUBER

So, as anyone who knows me can attest, I'm a big fan of The West Wing. When it comes to television dramas, it doesn't get much better. In particular, I love the writing. Aaron Sorkin's dialogue is crisp and witty, his characters idealistic and complex. I was flipping channels yesterday when I came across a re-run of an early episode from Season 1. In the final scene, after his press secretary brings him the results of a poll that had the White House sweating, President Bartlet smiles, looks at his staff and says, "What's next?"

That's kind of how I imagine what went on yesterday at the Bank.

I couldn't get anyone from the Phillies to confirm it yesterday, but indications are that team president David Montgomery has chosen Ruben Amaro Jr. to succeed retiring GM Pat Gillick. An announcement is expected tomorrow. No surprise. At times over the past two years, Amaro has been the voice of the front office, and for most of the season, we have assumed he would replace Gillick. It wouldn't surprise me to see Mike Arbuckle, the Phillies' other longtime assistant GM, move on to another organization, and that would be no small loss considering Arbuckle has headed a scouting/player development staff that drafted/developed Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Brett Myers, Ryan Madson, Cole Hamels and others. But, after giving the news to Amaro, I picture Montgomery smiling, perhaps glancing at designs for the Phillies' World Series rings and saying, "What's next?"

And that's exactly what we tried to explore in today's News Journal.

Now that the GM situation is resolved, the Phillies will turn their attention to their personnel. By my count, they already have $63.25 million committed to nine players: Myers ($12 million), Brad Lidge ($11.5 million), Adam Eaton ($8.5 million), Utley ($7.5 million), Rollins ($7 million), Geoff Jenkins ($6.75 million), Pedro Feliz ($5 million), J.C. Romero ($4 million), and Matt Stairs ($1 million). They also would be responsible for Jim Thome's $3 million buyout if the White Sox do not pick up their $13 million option on his contract. And while I'm sure they will try to unload Eaton, their only solution may be to release him, in which case, they would be responsible for his 2009 salary, less what he is paid by the team that signs him. Regardless, the Phillies will be on the hook for serious moolah.

They have 10 arbitration-eligible players, who made a combined $20.14 million in 2008 and could see their salaries raised to an aggregate $30 million or so: Howard ($10 million), Joe Blanton ($3.7 million), Jayson Werth ($1.7 million), Madson ($1.4 million), Chad Durbin ($900,000), Eric Bruntlett ($600,000), Hamels ($500,000), Shane Victorino ($480,000), Greg Dobbs ($440,000) and Clay Condrey ($420,000).

So, before they talk money with free agents Pat Burrell ($14 million in 2008), Jamie Moyer ($3.5 million) and Scott Eyre ($3.5 million), figure their payroll sits at about $95 million. Last week, Montgomery told me that ownership would be open to increasing payroll from the club-record $104 million on Opening Day 2008. But how far north of that number are the Phillies willing to go? It could determine who comes back and whether the Phillies make a play for one of the big-money free agents (Manny Ramirez and CC Sabathia are available for the highest bidder). It also may determine if the Phillies make a long-term contract offer to Hamels or Howard. My gut feeling (strictly a gut feeling) is that Hamels is more likely to get a long-term deal than Howard.

Amaro, meanwhile, is heading to the GM meetings, which begin tomorrow in Dana Point, Calif. So, here's my question to you: If you were him, what would be your top priorities for the offseason?

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On a personal note, thanks so much to everyone who has read and/or commented on our little blog this season. Whether you realize it or not, you are the ones who make The Blog whatever it is. You generate discussion, and sometimes, you even spark a story idea or two for me. I plan to keep The Blog fresh and lively throughout the offseason, and as always, I welcome your comments, either here or at slauber@delawareonline.com.

Enjoy your Sunday, everyone.