Stumbling blocks:
For Phillies hitters, the instructional approach of working counts and launch angles may be fine for most of the offense, but some regulars might be more successful with traditional methods. In fact, Cesar Hernandez and Odubel Herrera had drastically different results from 2017 and now may be expendable. A mistake?
Another variable: When Klentak signs a free agent, it will change the offense, the pitching or the fielding. For instance, Inking Manny Machado to handle short can make Hernandez available for a new employment address. Or a bottleneck!
While some fans set the bar high for the front office, Klentak factors in the competition he faces. Those other GMs will use any leverage: stats, health and age to name a few, and minor leaguers are the pieces to balance many deals.
Concerning agents, they float rumors to motivate decision-makers to make a more substantial offer, and some execs do the same to stir up additional trade interest. Like poker, some are bluffing.
Klentak can pitch a veteran to another club, but many execs prefer their end to involve someone from the farm system, not the active 25. To illustrate, the San Diego Padres agreed to send a Double-A starter for Galvis. However, receiving a major leaguer is more challenging.
Before a GM moves a regular, he must have a replacement from another franchise or the minors if he doesn’t have one on the active roster. For example, if Roman Quinn didn’t have an injury-plagued history, he could be the center fielder in Herrera’s absence. Therefore, an obstacle.