GM’s Plans for 2018’s Phillies
If you can envision the non-traditional options available to the front office, you can understand the logic of general manager Matt Klentak of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Alternatives:
Sometimes, the answers are right in front of you, but you will only realize them when you consider another’s point of view.
When many fans listened to Klentak over the campaign’s final weekend, they incorporated their perception of upcoming moves with the GM’s comments regarding the offseason. Unfortunately, their conclusions are more their thinking than Klentak’s. They hinge on their negative or positive view of the Phils for next summer: For instance, a losing 162 ahead means adding veterans to flip next July. On the other hand, if they expect a possible Wild Card, those fans believe a trade for Giancarlo Stanton is a possibility. Perception gets in the way.
For some reason, the faithful have difficulty with the business side of baseball. As an example, management isn’t swapping a regular to make room for a rookie with zero MLB at-bats: second baseman Scott Kingery. Translation: Rhys Hoskins earned his playing time and J.P. Crawford still has to.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT “When the Supreme Court says baseball isn’t run like a business, everybody jumps up and down with joy. When I say the same thing, everybody throws pointy objects at me.” – Bill Veeck
From now through October, Klentak will be agonizing about whom to leave off the 40-man roster for the upcoming Rule 5 Draft. The exec won’t be able to select and carry anyone for an entire year because he already has better talent in the pipeline. Ergo, same as 2017: zero picks.
When locals look at the schedule, they don’t consider the endurance level physically required to handle it. And most organizations don’t have more than one top player at each position. But if they did, those clubs could field a fresher squad, win more games, and have a better bench.
On the Internet, the majority of sentiments for Kingery are similar. They want to see him and feel the higher-ups are either penny-pinching, blind to his ability, or deaf to their demands. No, the decision-makers are acutely aware of the pluses and minuses of their MiLB star. They are anxious for an up-close evaluation because they’ve been patiently tracking his progress from day one, not Double-A. But replacing Cesar Hernandez with an unproven infielder will send the wrong message to free agents. In other words, another franchise might offer better job security.
At second base, Hernandez hit .294 with a .373 OBP as the leadoff man, and many believe Klentak will deal him to fill a rotation spot. Firstly, Kingery must earn the second sacker’s job and/or batting first with three months of excellence, and – what they need – a solid two-slot starter is something every general manager wants or plans on keeping.
On the other side of the diamond, Freddy Galvis averaged .272 batting second in the lineup, and he hit there 63 percent of his 608 ABs. Crawford, meanwhile, was only a September call-up, and baseball men discount March and September numbers due to diluted competition. In other words, batting .300 in the final month isn’t a reliable indicator, but Crawford only produced a .214 mark with a .356 OBP. He must prove he can replace Galvis by July and just getting walks won’t be enough.
If you want an example of earning a position, Hoskins hit .259 with 18 homers and 48 RBIs. Yeah, the league grew tired of his success and now he’ll adjust accordingly, but he showed more than enough for the front office to count on him. Comparatively, Tommy Joseph batted .240 with 22 long balls and 69 RBIs.
According to Larry “L.A.” Anderson during the final Saturday broadcast, Andrew Knapp is the best defensive receiver progress-wise. Of course, Jorge Alfaro has the most potential and will be the front end of the catching tandem. As for Cameron Rupp, he’s the experienced backstop the staff is familiar with.
During his TV interviews over the final weekend, Klentak had some interesting comments. He stated that other organizations are calling the Philadelphia Phillies: The GM is listening to offers for his players. Basically, he didn’t say he was shopping any regular in particular or at all. Writer’s words.
When Klentak spoke of baseball changing from the everyday eight, he was referring to the way the red pinstripes were already handling the offense. Hit or sit! Translation: Aaron Altherr, Odubel Herrera, Nick Williams, Maikel Franco, Hoskins, Joseph, Hernandez, Galvis, Crawford, Alfaro and Knapp will require 11 of the 13 offensive roster slots: Rested players equal increased production. However, the exec needs a reserve outfielder and a promoted infielder to finish this revolutionary wrinkle.
IN OTHER WORDS: “Tradition is the albatross around the neck of progress.” – Bill Veeck
Next: The 2018 Phillies' Bullpen Rotation
When Kingery joins the Phillies, he will be the other infielder. Basically, the hit-to-play approach is new due to the young talent Klentak has in Philly. Rookies can gain experience and learn from Galvis and Hernandez, the manager for every game will have eight hitters in the batting order and four on the bench with plenty of regular at-bats each, and the skipper will have fresher players. However, two problems are three catchers and only four outfielders including Hoskins. Ergo, Rupp is the odd man out!