The Kevin Gilbert/Dream Theater connection

So, according to some research, Dream Theater were in talks with Kevin Gilbert about producing the Falling into Infinity album. Gilbert died in 96, and things pushed back a little, and the band found and hired Kevin Shirley instead.
I guess I'm just wondering how they arrived at Gilbert? I know Mike Portnoy was a big KG fan. (Especially his Thud album)
Do you think Gilbert was a fan of Dream Theater? I would guess no, but you never know. Also, how do you think a Gilbert produced DT album would have come out? Would it have sounded better? Did you think they might have considered him for the keyboard role too, before going with Derek?