Underestimating the aggressive Philadelphia Phillies GM
While the Phillies plot 2019’s course like 27 other organizations, many fans aimlessly negotiate a roster maze with limited information to clearly understand general manager Matt Klentak’s offseason decisions.
Realistic expectations:
The Philadelphia Phillies faithful are facing another winter of sorting through the available speculation combined with their own annual evaluation from a distance. Yes, their passion can cloud their thinking with the fear management will trade or be unfair to their favorite.
IN OTHER WORDS “Aggressiveness is not the main trouble with the human species, but rather an excess capacity for fanatical devotion.” – Arthur Koestler
Beginning around mid-September, supporters of big-market franchises have a range of expectations for the next 162. Firstly, one Phils’ group names every deficiency the club has and wants everything fixed. To start, cut the errors in half and increase scoring by twenty percent.
According to these fans, the red pinstripes must add a big bat, a left-handed starter and a closer. And some even expressed disappointment because Klentak had failed to swap a handful of top prospects for Manny Machado. Basically, get to the NLCS with a shot at winning the National League pennant.
As for the first two categories, the theme is firing the GM is always an option for a perceived lack of action or victories. But the pendulum swings the other way for locals who believe the front office will only sign mid-level free agents, while the youngsters develop in 2019 for 2020. Ergo, 2018 was a mirage.
The all-or-nothing supporters are at the extremes. Because while one group wants to replace 23 players on the active roster, their opposites anticipate no changes made over the winter. Realistically, Klentak has acquired veterans every offseason since his arrival ahead of the 2016 campaign.
In fact, Double D, a poster from another Phillies site, recently expressed confusion due to overly negative or positive beliefs before the World Series is even over. Well, many fans have an emotional attachment to certain stars and disfavor regulars who performed or carried themselves below their expectations.
Waiting in a world of instant gratification is the cardinal sin no exec can avoid. Translation: The faithful get nervous in mid-November, but deals won’t usually begin popping until Dec. 10: the second day of the Winter Meetings. And each week with nothing but rumors will fuel anger with the team in this annual ritual.
Timeline:
Entering the picture in rebuilding’s shadow, Klentak in his first offseason spent $15 million on veteran pitchers Jeremy Hellickson and Charlie Morton. The decision-maker’s thinking was one pans out and one doesn’t. Well, Morton didn’t complete April before a season-ending injury.
On the other hand, Hellickson had recorded one of his better summers, and he accepted a qualifying offer of $17.2 million for 2017. As for total payroll, Klentak added $52.7 million with Hellickson, Saunders, Benoit, Pat Neshek and Clay Buchholz. Unfortunately, only Neshek worked out.
Double D, the GM has established a track record of aggressiveness by annually surpassing my expectations. He went from picking up two hurlers at $15 million for ’16 to acquiring five players at $52.7 million for ’17. As for efficiency, he decides on his young charges faster than his predecessor.
Surprising many in ’18, Klentak did sign four higher-quality veterans but didn’t take on salary dumps like Hellickson, Morton, Buchholz and Neshek. The higher-up on his second attempt for a left-side bat with power inked Carlos Santana through free agency.
Last year, the Phillies signed Jake Arrieta, Tommy Hunter, Santana and Neshek. Klentak spent $62.125 million AAV (average annual value) for the foursome. However, he finalized three-season pacts for the stars and two-campaign deals for the relievers. The GM went for more talent, money and 162s. Accelerating?
After a 37-36 finish in ’17, Klentak had announced a major competitive jump, and he knowingly overpaid for a switch-hitter with pop to quickly balance the right-heavy lineup. Of course, the only slow acquisition was Arrieta, a Scott Boras client.
Breadcrumbs:
While many fans, Double D, face yearly offseason trepidation, management’s moves indicate their direction. For instance, switching Rhys Hoskins, one of two unavailable Phillies, to first base is clearly an attempt to improve left field defense.
Concerning Santana, he is still the only left-handed threat in the batting order, and his presence affects a hurler’s approach to the everyday eight. Additionally, he is an adequate third sacker, and his contract along with left-side hitting basically guarantees his 2019 return. Do you hear those complaints?
As for Maikel Franco, he raised his trade value by batting .270 with power and RBI production. But –just a guess– his offensive approach didn’t completely mesh with the organizational strategy despite working counts and opposite-field hitting. Yes, he’s a better defensive option but has a right-handed swing.
If the red pinstripes sign Machado, Cesar Hernandez with two years of control will be among the best available second basemen. Realistically, two free agents are slightly older, while others are in their mid-30s. But a swap may not take place until January because Klentak won’t gamble without Machado in the fold.
Whether you prefer one player over another, the Phils aren’t going to hand an unearned job to anybody. No, Scott Kingery‘s motivation is to deserve a starting spot at second or short. Kapler will give him enough playing time, and the rest is up to him. Double D, the MLB has 900 playing jobs and applicants aplenty.
Since J.P. Crawford bats from the opposite side, the skipper will platoon the pair, but Kingery will also face the easier right-handed starters. Yes, the faithful remember Crawford’s 2017 start with the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs but are unaware of his .287 second half there with nine home runs.
Financial solutions:
For those who believe Bryce Harper could replace Santana’s bat, his agent is Boras. And even though he could solve right field defense, a general manager can’t pass on Machado and hope to ink Harper. Ergo, Harper is a long shot.
If you liked waiting for Arrieta’s signing, Harper is the crown jewel for the Boras Corporation. Therefore, he’ll be expensive with a potential contract length of 12 to 14 years and no shortage of suitors. But rumors will run rampant from writers, Boras and even some teams.
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With the NL pennant, the Los Angeles Dodgers are allowing time for Machado to make more quotes that follow him through the winter. But the Phils’ interest will not waver because they need a 30-homer bat. In fact, the controversy probably enhances their odds of signing him, Double D.
Machado is a once-in-a-generation talent, and the front office knows the good and bad regarding the shortstop. But when Baltimore made him available, the red pinstripes offered their number two prospect for a two-month rental. Don’t expect a change of heart.
According to Jon Heyman of Fancred Sports, one MLB exec stated the only franchise willing to offer Machado a megadeal will be the Phillies, while some contemporaries remarked that Machado’s value will be the same or decrease. So, what should you expect from Klentak based on his track record? Fireworks!
Next. Phillies: Trade hurdles in the offseason. dark
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