FOX Sports reports, MASNsports.com confirms: MacPhail is out

FOXsports.com senior baseball writer Ken Rosenthal reported a few minutes ago that Andy MacPhail will not return as the Orioles' president of baseball operations. A source tonight confirmed that information to MASNsports.com's Roch Kubatko. Rosenthal filed a report via Twitter that read: "Sources: MacPhail out as #Orioles press of bb ops. Will not return in any capacity. Showalter expected to remain mgr; situation fluid." The Orioles have not released any information on this situation and attempts to reach MacPhail tonight have so far been unsuccessful. Steve's take: A few very quick thoughts on MacPhail even before this news has become official, even thought it has been confirmed. On the plus side, MacPhail pulled off several solid trades, going back to the deals that sent Erik Bedard and Miguel Tejada from Baltimore and to include the past season and the acquisitions of J.J. Hardy and Mark Reynolds. Not only did MacPhail get Hardy for two minor league pitchers, but he signed him to a new contract as well. He was the president of baseball operations who brought Buck Showalter to Baltimore and he led the move to the new and plush spring home in Sarasota. He also leaves the organization with payroll flexibility beyond this year with not many players under contract going forward. On the down side, he was not able to get the club out of the AL East cellar and the Orioles trail many teams in the industry in their international signings. The farm system was ranked much higher in recent years than it is now and there were no Orioles listed among the top 20 prospects in the Double-A Eastern League or Triple-A International League this week by Baseball America. In his four full seasons as O's president, starting in 2008, the club went 267-380 for a .413 winning percentage. MacPhail is a true pro and gentleman, who always represented Baltimore and the organization with a lot of class. I appreciate the time he gave me on several occasions for one-on-one interviews and he never shied away from any question.