Red and white:
Despite a 66-96 record for ’17, the Phillies went 37-36 in their final 73 contests after promoting Rhys Hoskins, Nick Williams, and Jorge Alfaro. And they were 12th in the NL with 690 runs scored but sixth in the second half with 358. Pitching-wise, the Phils were 10th overall (4.55 ERA) and starters (4.80 ERA) but seventh in the NL for their bullpen with a 4.18 ERA.
Klentak had a busy offseason: He inked Carlos Santana, Tommy Hunter, Pat Neshek and Arrieta, who will form a one-two punch with Aaron Nola. In other words, the GM has strengthened the offensive, back of the pen and the starting staff.
According to Fangraphs, the Phillies are long shots for serious October baseball at 8.1 percent and 5.7 percent for the wild card. But the front office didn’t sign Arrieta until March 12.
On many Phillies sites, the locals are still processing the changes, and some are anticipating 84-85 wins, while others are hoping for .500 ball. The reasoning for a questionable improvement from a 66-96 club doesn’t include a full 162 of Hoskins, not two months. Yes, if Hoskins hits 18 homers again, the doubters could be right.
The most significant difference between the red pinstripes and these NL West hopefuls will factor in near July’s end. In other words, management will take on a salary for a difference-maker, but adding another starter would put them in the thick of wild-card contention for an NLDS spot.
"WITH KAPLER IN MIND: “Strategic planning is not strategic thinking. Indeed, strategic planning often spoils strategic thinking, causing managers to confuse real vision with the manipulation of numbers.” – Henry Mintzberg"
Regarding run production, the Phillies have a pair of sluggers, a catching tandem batting from both sides of the plate and competition for playing time in the outfield and infield. Translation: three regulars to Hoskins’ left and four starters to Santana’s right are a deliberate construction. Hit or sit!