While days for Phillies fans now seem like weeks, the wait is understandable when you realize what general manager Matt Klentak’s situation is in comparison to the execs of win-now franchises.
No-trade ’cause:
The Philadelphia Phillies atop the NL East at the 100-game mark wasn’t realistic. Presently, however, the faithful are expecting deals like organizations under the pressure to win it all, but Klentak for now is trying to go beyond the NLDS, not the NLCS.
"IN OTHER WORDS: “Life is made up of marble and mud.” – Nathaniel Hawthorne"
For the front office, the biggest need is a ninth-inning arm who can retire three less-stressful outs. They don’t need a lights-out reliever because Seranthony Dominguez will handle those saves. Translation: closing experience.
Barring any changes, Dominguez’s workload may be problematic. The flamethrower should only work the toughest three-out frame from the seventh on. Moreover, Pat Neshek can cover another difficult inning three times a week, and their best setup men could pitch the rest.
Acquiring a hitter to lengthen the lineup is still a possibility, but Maikel Franco has reduced the immediate need by protecting Carlos Santana in the batting order. Yet if Klentak adds some power, his interest would be a right fielder or a shortstop.
As for an in-house candidate, Nick Williams in the six hole behind Franco is management’s current solution. Of course, playing every day could benefit Williams and Franco, who didn’t have protection in the eight hole.
Lastly, the rotation is more of a “stretch-drive and postseason” concern because the additional level of pressure will be a new experience for Zach Eflin and Vince Velasquez. In other words, having a veteran slotting third allows Eflin or Velasquez to be more comfortable in the four spot.
Nick Pivetta has had six clunkers in his last nine outings as the fifth starter. As for a new role, he could work the ninth inning if he continues struggling, and Enyel De Los Santos or Jerad Eickhoff could replace him. But De Los Santos has a 3.46 ERA in his last six contests for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs.