Amaro: 'We May Not Contend In 2015 And 2016'

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- After remaining status quo on the July 31st Major League Baseball trade deadline, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. has received his fair share of criticism, to put it politely. On Tuesday, Amaro admitted that the Phillies may struggle over the next couple of seasons.

"We may have to step backwards to step forwards and that's also part of the plan here, is to understand that---listen, we may not be a contender in '15 and '16," Amaro told Angelo Cataldi and the 94WIP Morning Show. "And to try to get back to where we need to be in '17 or '18. It may just be a one year, you know, glitch. It may be two years, but we are open and really understand that the fact that listen, we have not played well. We have not done what is necessary to be a contender this year. We're going to have to make changes to get better."

Listen: Ruben Amaro Jr. on the 94WIP Morning Show

Amaro explained there are a variety of ways he will look to make improvements.

"We're going to have to find creative ways to do it [improve the club]," Amaro said. "I mean, obviously we're going to be hopeful that we can do some things internally. We're looking into the Cuban market, we're looking into a variety of different ways to improve the club. And it may be through trades, it may be through signings."

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