Cards' Slater reportedly a candidate for Phils' GM

The Phillies are inching closer to deciding on Ruben Amaro Jr.'s successor as general manager, and a new name has surfaced in the mix of candidates.

Matt Slater, the Cardinals' director of player personnel, interviewed for the position last week, according to a Major League source. Slater joins former Marlins general manager Larry Beinfest as the known candidates to have interviewed for the job, according to sources. Those sources also indicated Angels assistant general manager Matt Klentak has interviewed. CBSSports.com reported Indians vice president of player personnel Ross Atkins interviewed last week.

Royals assistant general manager J.J. Picollo has been reported as a strong candidate for the job. He grew up in Cherry Hill, N.J.

MLB vice president of baseball operations Kim Ng has been reported as a possibility, but others are believed to be higher on Phillies president Andy MacPhail's list.

The Phillies have not confirmed the report.

After stints in the front offices of the Brewers, Orioles, Angels and Dodgers, Slater joined the Cards in 2007 and was named to his current position in January 2012. He is one of general manager John Mozeliak's prime point men on player acquisitions at the Major League, Minor League and amateur levels, and he has assisted in negotiations and roster composition.

The Phillies officially announced Wednesday that Andy MacPhail has replaced Pat Gillick as team president, and MacPhail has been conducting the interviews for the GM vacancy over the last two weeks. He has said he hopes to announce Amaro's replacement before the end of the month.