Philadelphia Phillies: Trading Forecast

The front office is taking a circuitous route to achieve their goals because general manager Matt Klentak of the Philadelphia Phillies is using the Winter Meetings to lay the groundwork for future deals.

Bargaining Chips:

Before money was the preferred method, bartering one’s services or possessions with another allowed each to procure necessities.

Through Wednesday (December 7), many GMs went from one negotiation to another at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. Sleep was optional. But did the Philadelphia Phillies accomplish something during the four days? Well, Double D, a poster from another site, your question represents the thinking of many fans locally. But it will depend on their recent acquisitions and competitive proposals.

Shaping their roster, management re-signed Jeremy Hellickson to head the rotation, inked Pat Neshek and Joaquin Benoit to be the eighth-inning setup men, and picked up Howie Kendrick to plug the fifth hole in the lineup and a corner outfield spot. So, Double D, the decision-maker won’t add another starter, and he won’t block corner outfielders in the pipeline with a multi-year contract to a free agent. However, one viable avenue for a left-handed bat would be to swap a catcher and a reliever to a contender with those needs.

Before the annual marathon of general managers and agents, manager Pete Mackanin phoned Klentak, and the exec voiced his hopes for Cesar Hernandez, Cameron Rupp, shortstop J.P. Crawford and receiver Jorge Alfaro. Ergo, if Crawford and Alfaro can start for the Phils in July, the GM will have Rupp, Hernandez, Freddy Galvis and Kendrick available before the trading deadline. Of course, the manager stated his preference for a left-side hitter with power, and Klentak replied he’d get more creative to accomplish that before spring training. How?

Considering the teams needing a backstop, a second baseman and/or relievers, Klentak is putting himself in position to reel off a deal before February. For instance, Double D, the executive will have Benoit, Neshek and Joely Rodriquez as keepers, while Hector Neris, Jeanmar Gomez and Edubray Ramos would give Klentak a bullpen piece to swap. But one wrinkle is not re-signing A.J. Ellis, which complicates things but doesn’t stop them. Eventually, the tandem behind the plate will be Alfaro and Rupp with no spot for catcher Andrew Knapp.

If the Philadelphia Phillies have players general manager Sandy Alderson of the New York Mets deems valuable, Klentak will continue haggling with him, but Alderson has the reputation of only making trades he can put in the win column. And because New York (NL) has three left-swinging outfielders with pop, Klentak probably logged a few hours with Alderson over the four days. What do you want for Jay Bruce? Neris and Rupp.

IN OTHER WORDS:   “I can’t elaborate, … We have been working on something. If something does happen, it should happen in the next few days.” – Sandy Alderson

While the Mets are giving their current receivers another opportunity to win the job, they covet a backend reliever and prefer swapping Bruce: two items currently on their front burner. On the other hand, Double D, the red pinstripes can’t deal Rupp until Alfaro is ready, and they can receive more for Neris than one campaign of Bruce. Presently, Klentak is okay with the six pen hurlers and a lefty or a long man, and he can go with Roman Quinn in right field or on the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs if he acquires Bruce.

After the GMs return to Philly and New York, the conversation will continue over the phone with the counterproposal of Gomez and Knapp, but – eventually – Klentak will sweeten the proffer. Basically, you can imagine the dialogue. What’s your new offer for Bruce? Ramos and Knapp. Hmmmm, that might work.