Before Hall, Gillick talks of the Phils

Pat Gillick said he already has submitted for review by officials there the speech he plans to give at his July 24 Hall of Fame induction in Cooperstown.

While the 74-year-old ex-general manager of the Blue Jays, Orioles, Mariners and Phillies didn't offer any previews, most of what he discussed during a conference call with reporters Friday probably won't make the cut.

Still, Gillick revealed some interesting inside baseball tidbits during the hour-long session.

Among them:

The 1992 trade that sent pitcher David Cone to Toronto from the Mets for Jeff Kent and Ryan Thompson was his "most gratifying" trade. "One of the guys [we gave up] probably is a marginal Hall of Famer, Jeff Kent," Gillick said. "We thought about it and said, 'David Cone is a guy we think can put us over the hump,' and at the same time a deal like that kind of deflates your competition."

This winter, Jayson Werth's seven-year, $126 million contract with Washington "stunned" him nearly as much as his own Hall of Fame selection. "I'm happy for Jayson, but it wouldn't have been something I'd have recommended."

He traded Bobby Abreu because the Phils rightfielder "wasn't a high-energy guy". He was dealt to the Yankees in 2006 along with Cory Lidle for several minor-leaguers who have yet to help. "Abreu is still playing," Gillick said, "but we thought that by trading him, guys like [Chase] Utley, [Shane] Victorino and [Jimmy] Rollins might play with more energy, and that was the case."

When he hired Cito Gaston to manage the Blue Jays and Ruben Amaro as his assistant with the Phils, he never thought of either as a minority. "To me they were loyal and valued employees," he said. Of Amaro, with whom he talks twice a week, Gillick said, "We're happy with the job Amaro is doing. He's changed the face of the club" from an offensive team to one that relies on pitching and defense.

He agrees with the widespread sentiment that the Phils could use a righthanded bat. "The year we won 116 games in Seattle, everyday Lou [Pinella] would tell me we needed another hitter. And I'm the same way. Atlanta's got three guys in their bullpen that can shut down your lefthanders."