Trading Complications Ahead for the Phillies

While the future looks sunny, it may require some creative maneuvering from the front-office staff and general manager Matt Klentak of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Due Caution:

Sometimes, the fastest route to a destination can lead to unexpected detours despite planning with foresight.

Regarding the 40-man roster, the definition is a total of 25 active players and 15 protected hopefuls who after their age-related signing have spent four or five years in the minors. And the reason is to stop franchises from stockpiling talent in their pipeline and blocking some from opportunities in the majors. But when an organization reaches its limit, you will notice quality spillover.

After acquiring a boatload of prospects for valuable MLB pieces, the Philadelphia Phillies began showing the first signs of an inventory problem, which was? The Rule 5 Draft. Yes, they selected no one last December, and flamethrower Dalier Hinojosa who had the first shot to be 2016’s closer didn’t even make the 40-man cut.

As Klentak was finalizing the active 25, his moves were a warning of the difficulty involved. In other words, he had to trim two players to accommodate Daniel Nava and Brock Stassi. Competition for jobs on a rebuilding team is fierce.

With a week of nice weather, two office workers recently enjoyed their lunch hour outdoors on a park bench. And one began naming veterans the Phillies could deal in July for prospects to load up the farm system. Moreover, his friend agreed completely and stated Klentak can work miracles. How? Sabermetrics!

"IN OTHER WORDS:     “Every time I sit with our general manager at a baseball game, and there’s number-cruncher and statistician guy – I’m sitting around – they start talking about stuff, and I say, ‘What’s that? I’ve never heard of that one before.” – George “Mullet” Brett"